Headwaters to Headwaters: A Mayacamas Hiking Adventure

Description

Join Sonoma Ecology Center, Team Sugarloaf, for a very rare opportunity to hike from Hood Mountain Regional Park to Sugarloaf Ridge State Park via the historic McCormick Ranch section of Sugarloaf. This  year we have two versions:

1. Original Route  - from Los Alamos parking lot in Hood Mountain Regional Park to Sugarloaf's day-use picnic area via McCormick and Bald Mt.. 12 miles and 3,200 ft of elevation. (Bus from Sugarloaf).
2. Epic Option - Sugarloaf's Goodspeed trail into Hood Mt. down to McCormick and joining the rest of the group.  19 miles.  5,600 ascent. This is a rigorous hike for advanced hikers (limited to 15 tickets).

This event will be a grand tour of the Mayacamas Mountains in the northern half of Sonoma Valley, where we will pass close to the headwaters of Santa Rosa and Sonoma Creeks. The Perry family has generously given permission to hike through their property, allowing our adventure to go the back way along the Napa/Sonoma County line. Sonoma County Regional Parks has also kindly allowed us to use the Los Alamos parking lot as a drop-off point.

The route will take participants through some of the wildest and most beautiful sections of Sonoma County filled with massive trees and lovely wildflowers. The terrain also holds the history of the McCormick and Hurd families as well as the Wappo People.  At the end of the 11-mile hike, join your fellow adventurers for a delicious tri-tip BBQ meal at the Sugarloaf day-use picnic area.  Beer and wine are included.  

Original route: Participants should arrive at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park no later than 8:45 am. Shuttle buses will leave from the Visitor Center at 9am to the Los Alamos parking lot of Hood Mountain Regional Park. From there, hikers will follow Santa Rosa Creek Trail down to Homestead Meadow and then cross into the McCormick addition of Sugarloaf. We will work our way up Quercus Trail, to the location of the Grandmother Oak overlooking the former Spaulding Property, and have a brief stop at Red Hill. Continuing up Maple Glen Trail, with permission from landowner Jim Perry, our group will hike southeast along the county line and enjoy lunch at the top of "Hill 2530" (named for its elevation). W e will enter Sugarloaf and take a break at the Red Barn where snacks and cold drinks will be provided by Team Sugarloaf. The group will then proceed up to Bald Mountain and finally work its way back down to the day-use area at Sugarloaf for a barbecue dinner. The route covers approximately 11 miles with an elevation gain of about 2800 ft. We expect to arrive at the barbecue at about 3:30 pm.  

Epic Option: For advanced hikers. Meet at Sugarloaf's Visitor Center at 6:15 am for a 6:30 am departure.  Meet up with the group hiking from Los Alamos at Santa Rosa Creek at about 10 am.   

Tickets
$80 each. Tickets include transportation, snacks, drinks, and BBQ.  

Bring a lunch, water, sun protection, electrolytes, and additional socks, and be prepared to walk 11 (or 17 miles, depending on the route you registered for) over steep and sometimes rough terrain, stream crossing of minimal depth. Dress appropriately for the weather and the ticks.

Underwriting Options: Help us defray the costs of the event and make it a true fundraiser.  With the rain and snow and more rain, we have had to clear over 300 trees from roads and trails, and camping and day-use revenue are down.    Additionally, staff hours are equipment and fuel costs are significantly above budget to keep the park open and safe.   Please do what you can to help.     
Epic Underwriter: $5000 (includes a ticket to the hike -Tax Deductible)

Feast Funder: $750 (includes a ticket to the hike – Tax Deductible)  

School Bus Sponsor: $250 (includes a ticket to the hike – Tax Deductible)

Ticket sales end on 4/12 to give us an estimate of how many buses we will need for shuttling and how much food to prepare.

Date & Time

Sat, Apr 15, 2023 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Venue Details

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park

Sugarloaf Events - SimpleTix