Sonoma County Excursion

All Coastwalkers must be able to hike at least 8 to 9 miles*. Tent camping only                                        All participants must be fully vaccinated and proof of vaccination will be required prior to the Coastwalk.

Coastwalkers will meet in Sebastopol on Monday, September 26 at Salt Point SP – Warren Group Camp Area – Group Tent Campsite – G001 at 2PM.

*All hike distances are approximate.

 TRIP INCLUDES:

Camping fees; guided hiking; nightly dinners; shuttle transportation; evening programs, hot water/coffee, Tea or Cocoa. Basic breakfast and lunch will be available as well as a full dinner. Also available will be leftovers from the previous evening so we suggest you bring sturdy resalable containers. Coffee, tea and hot chocolate provided. Donations for wine are appreciated or BYOB. Coastwalk cannot sell alcoholic beverages.

FACILITIES: You will be camping out each night so you will need appropriate gear including sleeping bag, mattress or pad, and tent with rain fly. Since seating at some of the camp sites is minimal, we recommend you bring a camp chair. You will need only a day pack each day. Dinner will be presented each evening at our camp with a campfire-like session to follow.

 CAMPGROUNDS:

Coastwalkers will camp at Salt Point State Park and Bodega Dunes, Sonoma Coast State Park. Potable water, restrooms, and showers are available.

 AVERAGE DAILY HIKING:

8 to 9 miles per day

 TYPES OF HIKING SURFACES:

Coastal bluffs on small tracks and wide trails; sandy beaches. Some hilly trails one day. Uneven terrain may be encountered

 FITNESS REQUIREMENTS:

This Coastwalk is rated as Moderate to Strenuous: 

CLIMATE & CLOTHING

The ocean is our climate control (water temperatures are in the lower 50s year around) so you can expect relatively cool temperatures with highs mainly in the mid-60s during the middle of the day and lows in the low 50s during the evening and early morning. There may be some morning fog that will burn off by about 10:00 am. Rain is not likely but is a possibility a lightweight windbreaker is advised. It does get windy on the bluffs and beaches. You’ll want a sweater and/ or jacket in the evenings and mornings; layering is usually best. Fleece is a warm, comfortable option. Otherwise, you can use your judgment about clothing when temperatures are in this range (the humidity can be high which can affect how the air temperature affects your comfort). Bring sturdy hiking shoes that are comfortable and in good condition. A trekking pole provides excellent stability while crossing tricky terrain and rocks and can offer good support while tide pooling.

WATER!!

Potable water is readily available at both campgrounds.  You will need to carry you own daily fluids during our hikes.

TRANSPORTATION:

Your will leave your vehicle at a designated site and will be shuttled to and from both campgrounds and trail heads.

FOOD:

Coffee, Tea, Cocoa, juice, and milk, (dairy and non-dairy), will be available each morning, as well as a variety of breakfast foods. We brew a large pot of coffee, but decaf can be prepared upon request. A variety of lunch items such as breads, (whole grain and gluten free), almond butter, honey, spreads, cheeses, cold cuts, and condiments will be available as well as leftovers. Soft drinks will be available each day.  Dinners are provided each evening. You will only need to carry lunch items and water while hiking.

PLEASE NOTE THIS ITINERARY IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE DEPENDING ON WEATHER AND TRAIL CONDITIONS.

Day One
Coastwalkers will meet in Sebastopol on Monday, September 26 at Salt Point SP – Warren Group Camp Area – Group Tent Campsite – G001 at 2PM.

After camp is set we’ll take a short walk to Gerstle Cove and the beautiful shoreline. 2 miles. Moderate

Day Two
We’ll explore the Coastal Trail walking from the North end of the park back to camp. We’ll visit the small Fisk family grave, explore fascinating wind and water carved tafoni formations and a dramatic deep cove with a sandy beach, then on to a wind swept bluff with even  more dramatic tafoni and crashing waves. Hikers should be prepared for a few difficult places. 7-8 miles. Moderate

Day Three
We will walk up the ridge through the forest to see how the rise and fall of the ocean and earthquakes, over thousands of years, shaped the land. On the way we walk through the pygmy forest, stunted because of the poor soil, then walk through the old farmstead of Plantation, now a successful farm camp for children and teens. We then walk down the Stump Beach Trail and return to camp on the Coastal Trail. 8 to 9 miles. moderate.

Day Four
Break camp and drive to Bodega Dunes camp.
On the way we’ll explore Fort Ross Historic Park and learn about the Russians who built the fort, and about the Pomo natives who lived in the region for thousands of years. Then we walk  up the ridge to see features created by the San Andreas fault, rest in a beautiful redwood forest, observe gigantic bay laurel tree and the fruit orchard planted by the Russians. We finish the day with a stroll on the Kortum Trail. 6 to 7 miles. Easy.

Day Five
We will first visit the Children’s Bell Tower in honor of 8-year-old Nicholas Green and learn about the history of the bell tower, then walk on the coastal prairie, walk through rustic Salmon Creek village, then on the beach and dunes before circling Bodega head. This walk includes sand walking for part of the hike. 8 miles. moderate.

Day Six
Break camp and head for home after breakfast.
For those wanting to explore more of the Sonoma coast, we will provide advice and maps.

• Hiking shoes, boots or sturdy walking shoes
• Waterproof sandals
• Spare walking shoes & laces
• Comfy camp shoes
• Hiking poles
• Water-proof windbreaker/ or parka for cold nights
• Long pants and long sleeve shirt (protection against sunburn, poison oak, and bugs)
• Layers for upper body
• Hat for sun protection that ties under chin
• Beanie for cold, windy conditions
• Other clothing – underwear, T-shirts, lots of socks, etc.
• Bandana
• Sunglasses with UV protection
• Sunscreen (minimum 30 spf)
• Natural bug repellant
• Personal first aid kit (band aids, blister pads)
• Personal medicines
• Day pack
• Plate, cup, bowl, and eating utensils
• Sturdy Tupperware for leftovers
• Flashlight & headlamp with new batteries
• Spare batteries
• Folding camp chair
• Tent & Ground Cloth
• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping pad
• REUSABLE Water Bottle
• Trail snacks (power bars or jerky)
• Credit Card & cash for camp showers and treats
• Shower towel

What’s Included:

Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided.

Breakfast:

• Coffee: (Regular in percolator with caffeine free available upon request), Teas, Cocoa, Juice, Milk (1/2 & 1/2, 2% Milk, Soy & Almond Milks)
• Sweeteners- (sugar, honey)
• Yogurt
• Biscotti
• Hot Cereals (Instant Oatmeal, and prepare it yourself steel cut oats available)
• Granola
• Walnuts or assorted nuts
• Fruit (fresh)- (Blueberries, Bananas, Apples, Oranges / Cuties)
• Fruit (dried)- Raisins & Craisins

Lunch:

• Breads- (Multi Grail & Gluten Free)
• Almond Butter
• Fruit spreads
• Cold Cuts
• Cheeses (sliced)
• Condiments, (Mustard, Mayonnaise)
• Butter, (Regular and dairy free)

Dinner: 

• Dinners are included unless otherwise noted and will be provided by Coastwalk’s Volunteer Food Angels. 

Our Chuckwagon wrangler will do their best to accommodate you but if you have special dietary needs please bring your food in a small cooler and we will be sure to provide you with ice throughout the trip.

Richard and Brenda Nichols: Richard and Brenda have been working with Coastwalk for forty years as walk planners and leaders, Board members, Brenda as bookkeeper, and Richard was ED for 15 years. Since retiring they have traveled, written their memoirs, volunteered in several capacities, and enjoyed hiking on a regular basis. They enjoy reading, movies and gardening. They live on two acres in rural West Sonoma County.

Bob Adams: I was born to a mom that loved taking her dogs for long walks. It was the 50’s & 60’s and San Francisco was a much less “developed” area, offering large areas to hike or drive to one of the many open coastal properties nearby for a daily 4-6-mile walk. My dad would arrange family gatherings and camping adventures throughout the Western United States. I then spent 24 years flying Air Force Cargo Aircraft around the world which afforded me access to hiking and camping opportunities throughout the globe so that I was able to hike on every continent-including Antarctica! Alone, with family or like-minded groups I have spent my years with a love of the outdoors. I spent 20 years as a RN at medical, surgical, oncology hospitals units. I joined Coastwalk several years ago for another opportunity to discover new hiking and camping experiences and have been a Chuckwagon Wrangler supporting Coastwalks in almost every coastal county. This is my first year as a Walk Leader & organizer and I look forward to sharing some of my favorite hiking areas with like-minded friends & coastal enthusiasts”.

 Donna Lockhart: Donna’s fascination with the coast began while growing up in Southern California. She has lived in Sonoma County for over forty years and treasures walking with others, along local beaches, bluffs, and coastal mountains. After joining Coastwalk hikes in San Louis Obispo, Mendocino, and Sonoma, she began to volunteer for Coastwalk as a food angel, hike support and shuttle driver in Del Norte and Monterey. Her goal is to walk every California coastal county with like minded folks.