Cancelled!! Armstrong Redwoods/ Austin Creek Recreation Area 5.5 mile loop hike

SUMMARY
On this strenuous hike in Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve and Austin Creek State Recreation Area next to the town Guerneville in Sonoma County, we will hike in a clockwise loop on the Pioneer Trail, Armstrong Nature Trail, Pool Ridge Trail, and East Ridge Trail for approximately 5 and 1/2 miles with an overall elevation gain of about 1,600 feet through old growth redwood forest, evergreen woodlands, oak woodlands, grassy meadows, and small groves of second and third growth redwoods. Also, we should see green grassy meadows and wildflowers this time of the year.

MEETING TIMES AND PLACES
For carpooling, meet 7:00am at the Enterprise North Park and Ride just off I-80 freeway, and across the street from Chervron and ARCO gas stations in West Sacramento, and the address is 4989 W Capitol Ave, West Sacramento, CA 95691
Please pay carpool driver the current price of gas per gallon.

For those meeting directly at trailhead, meet 9:30am at the visitor's center and parking lot just outside the Armstrong Redwoods Natural Reserve park's entrance on Armstrong Woods Rd, and the address is 17000 Armstrong Woods Rd, Guerneville, CA 95446. $10 parking fee, and $9 parking fee for seniors.

HIKING INFORMATION AND ESSENTIALS
HIKING LEVEL: Strenuous or hard due to some steep hills.
DISTANCE: About 5.5 mile loop.
ELEVATION: About 1,600 feet in overall in overall elevation gain.

ROUTE: Start at Pioneer Trailhead, then hike on Pioneer Trail for about .5 mile, then turn left and hike on Armstrong Nature Trail for about .3 mie, then turn right and hike on a road for very short distance of about 700 feet, then turn right and hike uphill on Pool Ridge Trail for about 2.2 miles l, then keep to the right and hike uphill on East Ridge Trail for about 900 feet, then keep to the right and hike downhill on East Ridge Trail for about 2.3 miles back to starting point.

HIKING ESSENTIALS: Bring hiking shoes/boots, water, small lunch/snacks, first aid kit, sun protection (hat, sunglasses, etc), hiking poles for hills if needed, warm clothing in case of cold morning temperatures, insect repellent spray, etc.

REFERENCE: Official Information about hiking and other outdoor activities in Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve and Austin Creek State Recreation Area can be found on the following links;
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=450

https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=452