SF Bay Area DPC: April 30, Big Basin

04/16/2005 02:20:57 AM · #1

Yeah!

Let's take a walk through the old-growth redwood forests in the spring, take some pictures, and get better acquainted. Big Basin is a large and diverse park, with trails ranging from short (<1 mile) and flat to many miles over mountainous terrain - enough variety to please anyone.

The date is, of course, variable, and if there are scheduling problems, we can change it.

How does that sound?

Damon

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

04/16/2005 02:29:22 AM · #2

Sounds interesting.

gaurawa

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

04/16/2005 10:26:18 AM · #3

What time do you guys plan to start? I am in Santa Clara and would like to join, but I have a marathon practice session early morning.

sfalice

Canon PowerShot SX60 HS

04/16/2005 03:31:57 PM · #4

Sure, sounds like fun. I've got dibs on the short flat trail!

Alice

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

04/16/2005 06:13:39 PM · #5

Start time could be 9 or 10 AM, or maybe even 9:30.

When we did this last time, people arrived pretty unevenly, and then we all left together - but there's no need to have us all following the exact same schedule. Gaurawa, if you couldn't make it there until 11 or noon I'm sure it'd be fine - most likely at least some of us would be in the vicinity, and if there's cell phone reception up there, we have communication capabilities.

Alice, it'd be great to see you again, and Gaurawa, Welland, it'd be a pleasure to meet you.

Damon

Message edited by author 2005-04-17 20:58:43.

gaurawa

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

04/21/2005 08:36:29 PM · #6

Any development here ?

bryanbrazil

Sony Alpha a7R III

Sony 16-35mm f/4 Vario-Tessar T* FE ZA OSS Lens

04/21/2005 09:41:16 PM · #7

No plans for the 30th yet, so count me in. I'll be coming from Sacramento.

04/21/2005 11:18:00 PM · #8

Highly likely that I can make this gtg.

04/22/2005 11:22:45 PM · #9

Originally posted by gaurawa:

Any development here ?

I feel like it's pretty much developed... we have our date, time, and place, right? Though there are some details that need to be worked out.

I'm going to try to get to Big Basin around 9:30, and I'll probably be hanging around the parking lot until 10 or so, and if we don't all meet up on the first round, we can coordinate via cell phones. If there is no reception, then let's meet in the parking lot area at noon for a proper rendez-vous.

"The parking lot" has yet to be determined - I'll have to look at a map and see exactly where we might want to go. I actually haven't been to Big Basin in about 15 years, so I basically know nothing about the geography of the place. If anyone else does know, I'd be quite happy to defer to your suggestion for meeting place.

In any case, I'll be looking at maps, and post directions to Big Basin from the north and south not later than a few days before the 30th.

I look forward to seeing all of you!

Damon

P.S. What's "gtg?"

sfalice

Canon PowerShot SX60 HS

04/22/2005 11:40:10 PM · #10

Originally posted by mycelium:

Originally posted by gaurawa:
Any development here ?

I feel like it's pretty much developed... we have our date, time, and place, right? Though there are some details that need to be worked out.

"The parking lot" has yet to be determined - I'll have to look at a map and see exactly where we might want to go. I actually haven't been to Big Basin in about 15 years, so I basically know nothing about the geography of the place. If anyone else does know, I'd be quite happy to defer to your suggestion for meeting place.

In any case, I'll be looking at maps, and post directions to Big Basin from the north and south not later than a few days before the 30th.

Damon

P.S. What's "gtg?"

Seems to me there's a pretty good parking lot across the road from the visitors' center... There's a pleasant interpretive path that leads away from that area and starts there.

Alice

04/23/2005 12:15:19 AM · #11

Originally posted by gaurawa:

P.S. What's "gtg?"

Get ToGether.

04/24/2005 01:03:25 AM · #12

1 week countdown.

04/25/2005 08:38:53 PM · #13

Confirmed the day off so I will be there.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

04/25/2005 09:39:21 PM · #14

Originally posted by faidoi:

Confirmed the day off so I will be there.

Wonderful! I look forward to meeting you.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

04/25/2005 10:16:41 PM · #15

Originally posted by faidoi:

Confirmed the day off so I will be there.

Confirmed I am working that day ... : (

Believe it or not, but I grew up around Menlo Park, went to school in Santa Cruz, have ridden a bike from Palo Alto to Felton (a long time ago!) and I've never been to Big Basin. I look forward to seeing what I've been putting off all these years.

04/29/2005 02:23:37 AM · #16

Hey folks, just two more days until Saturday. Weather may be cool and even a bit wet, so layers and possibly an umbrella would be a good idea.

Let's meet at the Park Headquarters around 9:30 AM. Directions are below. Note: the park use fee is $6.00. I haven't been to Big Basin in ages, so I'm not sure if it's feasible (or even possible) to walk in from outside of the park and thus avoid the entrance fee.

Address
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
21600 Big Basin Way
Boulder Creek, California, U.S.A.
95006-9064

Here are the directions to Big Basin from their website:
Route 1 (From San Jose, Oakland, Fremont)

Take the 880 freeway south, which becomes Highway 17. As you head towards Santa Cruz and come down from the summit, you will see a sign on the freeway for Big Basin. The actual road name is Mount Hermon Road. Exit the freeway here and stay right onto Mount Hermon Road. Stay on this road as it goes through the city of Scotts Valley. Mount Hermon Road ends at an intersection with a signal (Graham Hill Rd.). Turn right at this light. You will immediately come to another lighted intersection (Highway 9). Turn right again. Stay on Highway 9 in this northerly direction for 15 miles. You will be traveling through several mountain towns. You will eventually come to the town of Boulder Creek. In Boulder Creek there is one stop sign. At this stop sign you will turn left onto Highway 236/Big Basin Way. Stay on this highway for 9 miles and you will enter the Park. Proceed to Park Headquarters.

Route 2 (From San Francisco, Saratoga, Sunnyvale, Palo Alto)

Take either the 101 freeway south or 280 freeway south. From there take the 85 freeway south. Exit 85 at Saratoga Road. Turn right and head west on Saratoga Road. After a few miles, you'll encounter a signal. Pick up Highway 9 here; take a right and drive through the quaint shopping area of Saratoga. The road then begins to climb into the mountains. Stay on 9 as it winds through the mountains for 12 miles. You will then see a sign for Highway 236/Big Basin. Turn right onto Highway 236 and continue on this road for 9 miles until you come to Park Headquarters.

Route 3 (From California Highway 1, Santa Cruz, Half Moon Bay)

Take Highway 1 to Santa Cruz. Take Highway 9 north for 15 miles. You will pass through several mountain towns and eventually arrive at the town of Boulder Creek. In Boulder Creek there is one stop sign. At this stop sign you will turn left onto Highway 236/Big Basin Way. Stay on this road for 9 miles and you will enter the Park. Proceed to Park Headquarters.

Weather Information
Cool with showers and morning and evening fog. Average daytime highs are in the 60s, lows in the 30s to 40s.

--

Looking forward to meeting some more local DPC folks :)

Damon

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR

04/29/2005 04:07:56 PM · #17

We should have a list of folks going so we are not waiting for people that are not going to show up :)

jmlelii

Nikon D850

04/29/2005 04:35:07 PM · #18

you all should do this in august when im visiting SF

TechnoShroom

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

04/29/2005 05:38:30 PM · #19

Originally posted by mycelium:

I haven't been to Big Basin in ages, so I'm not sure if it's feasible (or even possible) to walk in from outside of the park and thus avoid the entrance fee.

There's no parking along the road into the park's main entrance so you're better off paying.

04/29/2005 06:52:18 PM · #20

:: FINAL ROLL CALL ::

I'll be there, fo sho, leaving my house at 8:30 and aiming to be there around 9:30.

Damon

04/29/2005 07:20:32 PM · #21

Originally posted by mycelium:

:: FINAL ROLL CALL ::

I'll be there, fo sho, leaving my house at 8:30 and aiming to be there around 9:30.

Damon

I'll be there. If it takes 1 1/2 hours from San Francisco, I'll probably leave around 7:30 so I can take my time.

Sigma 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Macro

04/29/2005 10:49:04 PM · #22

Message edited by author 2005-04-30 03:28:23.

Sonda

Canon EOS-20D

05/02/2005 02:32:50 AM · #23

Had a good time w yall ..

Very nice walk :)