2003 Coastal Trail Expedition
Manresa to Moss Landing
July 28: Monterey CountyManresa to Moss Landing. 12.8 miles We met Margie and Greg Whitnah, todays day hikers at the parking lot and were off on this days jaunt. Margie and Greg are associated with the Pelican Network, a remarkable consortium of non-profit and for-profit organizations and individuals that share common values. Having linked themselves…
Read MoreDowntown Santa Cruz to Manresa State Beach
July 27, Santa Cruz CountyDowntown Santa Cruz to Manresa State Beach 12.8 miles. Tattoo on the arm of our waitress at Santa Cruz’s vegetarian restaurant: “The journey is the destination.” Today we crossed a great divide. At some point just south of Santa Cruz, we reached the half-way point. Those of us from Northern California…
Read MoreLayover Day, Santa Cruz Hostel
July 26, Santa Cruz CountyLayover Day, Santa Cruz It’s fun to layover in towns or cities. We can easily do our laundry and sundry shopping as well as some sightseeing. So most of us went to what was billed as a new laundry/expresso/internet café place, not far from the hostel, and just around the corner…
Read MoreLaguna Creek (Wilder Ranch State Park) to Downtown Santa Cruz
July 25, Santa Cruz CountyLaguna Creek (Wilder Ranch State Park) to Downtown Santa Cruz. 14.2 miles Our night at Wilder was punctuated by the sounds of owls, coyotes, and Highway One. We awoke early and were soon greeted by Julie Hitchcock, our hiking friend from Sonoma County, and also by Jim Townsend, Acquisitions Manager for…
Read MoreWaddell Creek to Laguna Creek
July 24: Santa Cruz CountyWaddell Creek to Laguna Creek. 13 miles During the night some of us awoke to an unfamiliar sound on our tents – rain; our first for the trip. From inside the tent, it sounded like a deluge but it was really just a small shower. In the morning the ground was…
Read MorePigeon Point Lighthouse to Waddell Creek.
July 23, San Mateo CountyPigeon Point Lighthouse to Waddell Creek. 11.7 miles. We began in a wet fog at the lighthouse where we met Carl May and J who arrived with warm chocolate chip cookies in hand. Our first miles are again on the highway. This was somewhat of a disappointment as we have been…
Read MoreSan Gregorio Store to Pigeon Point Lighthouse
July 22, San Mateo CountySan Gregorio Store to Pigeon Point Lighthouse. 11.8 miles Last night we celebrated Linda Hanes’s birthday. Boy did we celebrate! David Hanes arrived with a single-layer frosted birthday cake, our volunteer cooks for the night brought brownies, the wife of State Parks Maintenance Chief Jon Zaugg baked a chocolate cake and…
Read MoreFrancis State Beach to the San Gregorio Country Store
July 21, San Mateo CountyFrancis State Beach to the San Gregorio Country Store. 12.8 miles Thanks to Jon Zaugg, Maintenance Chief here at the State Beach, we are able to start our day by sending out yesterday’s log. Jon’s help is typical of the support we have been getting from State Parks all along. That…
Read MoreRockaway Beach to Francis State Beach
July 20:San Mateo CountyRockaway Beach to Francis State Beach. 16.8 miles Marilynn Mariano is again our leader and today we are joined by Julie Groves from Los Gatos. The day begins with an ascent and descent over the ridge between Rockaway Beach and Linda Mar. Our route is a very new wheel-chair trail with many switch-backs…
Read MoreA Day with the Hikers
July 19: San Mateo CountyA Day with the Hikers Editor’s Note: Jon’s journal returns tomorrow. Today, I was fortunate to be able to spend a day hiking with the Coastal Trail Expedition ’03. My friend Marilynn Mariano, who would be leading that day, encouraged me to join her. Marilynn and I arrived at Fort Funston and…
Read More