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Castle Rock State Park is a land of sculpted sandstone, lush forests, and sweeping vistas. From one of the highest ridges in the Santa Cruz Mountains, park visitors enjoy hiking, backpacking, and horseback riding. Rock climbers explore the park's caverns and rocks, including the namesake Castle Rock. Plant-lovers come for California black oaks, knobcone pines, and high-elevation coast redwoods. The park’s 34 miles of rugged trails conveniently connect to an extensive trail system that links the Santa Clara and San Lorenzo valleys to nearby Big Basin Redwoods State Park and open space preserves on the Skyline to the Sea Trail.

Location:  Google Maps Link

Directions:

The park is located on Highway 35, just 2 1/2 miles southeast of the junction with Highway 9.

Project Lead: Judd Volino

Additional Information: Participants should bring water, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, lunch and normal precautions against poison oak exposure (work gloves, long sleeved shirts and long pants). The Trail Center provides tools, training, gloves, and refreshments after the workday.

Project: Djerassi Artists Residence Program 

Photo Albums: Djerassi Work Day

On Saturday, October 21st, twenty one volunteers improved the trails at the Djerassi Art Property. This was day two of a crew leader training that began on October 14th, and took place at a unique property located on the west side of Skyline Blvd off of Bear Gulch Road West. It was a beautiful cloudless day, with cool temperatures and sunshine throughout. A recent rain on Thursday considerably improved the workability of the soil from the previous Saturday. Staging was accomplished at the “Old Barn,” which is a picturesque building in the middle of the property, located down a long steep hill.

Four areas, each a spur trail to various art objects created by resident artists over the years, were targeted. The Trail Boss for the day was Dave Taylor.

In site A, the “Roots to Crown” area, Dave Croker was the Crew Leader mentor and he was assisted by Crew Leader Trainees, Lisa Jewett, Eva Franko, and Karl Mosgofian. Volunteers included Claudia Jones and Duc Le. This particular project combined the laying out of an alternative trail, the cutting of the trail, and all the associated tasks with creating a finished product, including brushing and tread work. The decommissioning of the old trail was also required. The result was a considerably safer and more user friendly trail that led one down to a piece of art (a covered stump), an albino redwood, and a spectacular redwood burl on a fallen tree. Before it was completed, this project required the additional assistance of a number of other volunteers so that it could be completed the same day. Their efforts at the end of the day after hiking back to the trailer were much appreciated and enabled closure to this specific trail project.

Site B was the “Nash Charred Sculptures,” “the City of Salt,” and the deconstructed redwood bench area. Larry Stites and Aaron Hieber acted as the Crew Leader Mentors for the sole trainee, Tim Moore. This effort required the construction of two new entrance ramps that provided more inviting and safer entrances to the art work located above and below the road. This required benching and tread work and the removal of a large number of dead redwood spires. One volunteer, Gerard Shuba, assisted in his effort. Particularly noteworthy was that today’s efforts earned Gerard his “green hat” for participating in four Trail Center work days.

Site C was the brushing leading to the “Pixilated Redwood” site and the “Nettle Meadow.” Helen Shaughnessy took the lead in this effort under the mentorship of Hank Magnuski. Frank Hubinsky provided volunteer support. This project involved debris removal, brushing, and the straightening of the trail to make it more visible and walkable. The result was a more inviting and aesthetically pleasing approach to the pixelated redwood area art piece, the trail along the stream, and the trail leading up to the observation bench.

Site D included the switchbacks and trail improvements in the “Pixelated Redwood” area. Under the mentorship of Judd Volino, Xulia Suero, George Willis and Lianna Jewett supervised three volunteers from the Glenwood Correctional Camp and crew leader trainees not in a supervisory role. This effort primarily involved expanding a switchback to make it longer and hence more user friendly, and putting in drains to help protect the steep trail from erosion. The trail was cleaned up to make it more visible. The clay steps were left in place. The crew also brushed the imposing redwood branches under which a wood bench sits and evened out the platform to allow the bench to sit flat again.

A last effort involving Judd Volino and Aaron Hieber, included the removal of a large tree branch growing across the trail and some other brush near the Nash “Nest” area. This was done as volunteers were leaving the area. Of concern was the safety hazard presented by a significantly leaning redwood tree, but fortunately, it decided to fall another day.

The day’s efforts were helped by Kevin Kelsey of Djerassi and his wonder dog, Kuma. Kevin used his Off Road Vehicle to facilitate the transport of the Trail Boss and others and to carry tools up the hills to the trailer at the end of the day. He also provided interested volunteers with a map showing the location of some of the various art pieces on the property.

Special thanks to Eva Franko and Judd Volino for their coordination with Felicia Herron from Djerassi to make this training day a success and to ensure that things went smoothly. Judd and Eva also helped considerably in ferrying volunteers from the entrance gate to the Artists Barn. Aaron Hieber handled check in duties. Larry Stites performed his usual stellar job with snacks and drinks. Finally, a shout out thank you to Hank Magnuski and Dave Croker who received the initial contact from Djerassi, followed up with Felicia, and made two scouting trips to the property.

Submitted by Dave Taylor, Day Supervisor

Project: Djerassi Artists Residence Program 

Photo Albums: Crew Member Training

On Saturday, October 14th fourteen Crew Leader Trainees participated in classroom modules led by Crew Leader Trainers Judd Volino, Bill Farrell, Dave Taylor and Dave Croker, and outdoor training workstations overseen by Larry Stites, Judd Volino, Hank Magnuski and Dave Croker.
Of the fourteen trainees, nine were Trail Center members: Karl Mosgofian, George Willis, Helen Shaughnessy, Lianna Jewett, Kevin Moore, Tim Moore, Aaron Hieber and Lisa Jewett – the last two trainees having participated in training in prior years’ trainings. Hidden Villa had two participants: Ron Badger and Scott Farnworth. UCSF and Sutro Stewards each sent a person to participate: Xulia Suero and Mark Sullivan, respectively. Felicia Herron from our host venue, Djerassi Artists Residency Program participated as well.

Most participants were shuttled in larger vehicles from the Djerassi Bear Gulch parking area to the Artists Barn where the morning’s training took place.

After enjoying food and beverages organized by Larry Stites, trainees sat down to Judd Volino’s introduction to the Trail Center. The floor was then turned over to Felicia Herron to welcome everyone to Djerassi, and provide some history of the property and its mission.

Classroom training began with Judd Volino’s Crew Leader Basics, followed by Bill Farrell’s amusing and memorable “Wait, Wait. Don’t Trails Me!” safety presentation, then Dave Taylor’s Leadership presentation. There was helpful discussion during Dave Taylor’s presentation around challenging crew members. Opportunities for discussion hadn’t been factored well enough into timing; so shifting from the printed schedule, the group broke for lunch just prior to Dave Croker’s Structures presentation.

After Dave Croker’s presentation, the large group of trainees broke up into four smaller groups to hone skills at the four workstations mentioned above. The first crew at each station was responsible for carrying tools down to the site. The last (fourth) crew was responsible for carrying tools back to the trailer. Determination of which tools were needed for which worksites, as well as the hike down to the workstations ate into some of the training time, particularly for those with the longest hike from the tool trailer.

The workstations for the afternoon of training day were as follows: 1) Trail Layout with Dave Croker, 2) Tread with Larry Stites, 3) Drainage with Judd Volino as trainer, and 4) Brushing & Finishing with Hank Magnuski. Trainees spent approximately 45 minutes at each station, then rotated to the next workstation during a 10-15 minute transition time. By the time each trainee group had been through their 45 minute sessions at each station the day was drawing to a close.

During the hike back to the tool trailer, some participants took the opportunity to enjoy some of the sculpture installations as well as do some very light cleanup on the trail between the main road from the Old Barn and the Footnote Bridge

Tools were stowed, and the locked trailer was left parked at Djerassi until the follow week’s workday. Participants shuttled back up to the parking are at the Bear Gulch gate at the end of the day.

And a new crop of crew leaders is in the works!

Submitted by Eva Franko, Crew Leader Training Coordinator

Djerassi Resident Artists Program, located in the Santa Cruz Mountains one hour south of San Francisco, makes its majestic 583-acre ranch available to the public on a very limited basis. The hikes feature site-inspired sculptures created and donated by artists during its 37-year history.

Web Page: djerassi.org

Location: 2325 Bear Gulch Road, Woodside, CA 94062

Directions: Bear Gulch Road is a narrow, winding, one lane country road with two-way traffic. It has a number of permanent residences. Watch for turn-offs and wider areas to accommodate oncoming traffic. Be prepared to back up if necessary. Vehicles going up hill on a steep grade and those pulling trailers have the legal right of way.

Directions from San Francisco
(estimated driving time: 1 - 1 1/2 hour)
South on 280 exit Bunker Hill Dr. turn left at the end of ramp to 92. Turn right on 92 towards Half Moon Bay.or South on 101 exit west on 92 towards Half Moon Bay.
Turn left (south) on 35 (Skyline Blvd.). Drive 10 miles. Turn right (west) on Bear Gulch Road West.

From San Jose
(estimated driving time: 1 hour)
North on 280 or 101 exit 84 (Woodside Road) towards Woodside to Skyline Blvd. Turn right (north) on 35 (Skyline Blvd.) drive for 2.2 miles. Turn left (west) on Bear Gulch Road West.

From Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and Stanford
(estimated driving time: 45 minutes)
West on Sand Hill Road to Portola Road. Turn right on Portola then left on 84 (La Honda/Woodside Road) to Skyline Blvd. Turn right (north) on 35 (Skyline Blvd.) drive for 2.2 miles. Turn left (west) on Bear Gulch Road West.

From Santa Cruz
(estimated driving time: 1 1/2 hour)
North on Highway 1. Turn right on Highway 84 (La Honda/Woodside Road) to Skyline Blvd. Turn left (north) on 35 (Skyline Blvd.) drive for 2.2 miles. Turn left (west) on Bear Gulch Road West.

Once on Bear Gulch Road
Stay to the right at fork with Allen Road. After 2 miles, turn left at “SMIP Ranch” sign and proceed through tall black gates. Follow road for 1.5 miles to the Artists’ Barn. Park in designated areas.

Additional Information: Participants should bring water, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, lunch and normal precautions against poison oak exposure (work gloves, long sleeved shirts and long pants). The Trail Center provides tools, training, gloves, and refreshments after the workday.

Coyote Point is a regional recreation area that provides a wide variety of opportunities: picnicking, swimming, windsurfing, bicycling, jogging, fishing, boating, and sailing. Kids will love the giant, castle-and-dragon-themed Magic Mountain Playground and CuriOdyssey where they can get up-close to wild animals and enjoy hands-on science exhibits. Stroll along the beach promenade, visit the marina and its breakwater, or explore the saltwater marsh. See shorebirds, colorful boats, windsurfers, and planes from the San Francisco International Airport.

Coyote Point includes a small piece of a large multi community trail that extends through most of the peninsula cities bordering the San Francisco Bay. You can start at Coyote Point and travel many miles north or south of the park offering hours of uninterrupted views of the bay and its diverse wildlife. The Bay Trail within Coyote Point extends from the southern entrance by the Yacht Club near the Marina along Coyote Point Drive with views of Popular Creek Golf Course towards the Windsurf Beach at the north entrance to the park. While dogs are not permitted in Coyote Point Recreation Area, people with dogs may pass through the park on this trail when dogs are leashed.

Park Web Page: http://parks.smcgov.org/coyote-point-recreation-area-trails

Location: Coyote Point Recreation Area, San Mateo, California

Directions: The park is located at 1701 Coyote Point Dr., San Mateo, CA 94401

When coming to Coyote Point from the north (San Francisco), use Highway 101 South. Take the Poplar Avenue exit. Turn right onto Humbolt until Peninsula Avenue. Turn right onto Peninsula Avenue. Go over the freeway, at which point the road turns into Coyote Point Drive.

When coming to Coyote Point from the south (San Jose), use Highway 101 North. Take the Peninsula Avenue exit. Turn right onto Airport Blvd. Turn left onto Coyote Point Drive to the park.

From all directions after entering the park: Proceed through the entrance kiosks. Identify yourself to park staff as being a volunteer for the work day if the kiosk is staffed and you will not have to pay the admission fee. After the kiosks, take the second left, following the signs to the Captain's House. Pass a parking lot on your right, then take the next right up a steep driveway to the large parking lot on the hill.

Additional Information: Participants should bring water, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, lunch and normal precautions against poison oak exposure (work gloves, long sleeved shirts and long pants). The Trail Center provides tools, training, gloves, and refreshments after the workday.