Winter Solstice Hike-Lower Dutra Valley from Coast (~12.5 miles / ~3,800’)

COVER PICTURE: View of Lower Dutra Valley (the mid-part of our route)

Some may recall that I used to always organize a hike on or around the Winter Solstice, the last one having occurred way back in 2019. It's time to resume that tradition. This year's hike will be on the actual Winter Solstice. We will start and finish at the Ragged Point Inn on Highway 1.

WARNING-THIS IS AN ADVANCED HIKE! Lots of steep up and down, partly on obscure and unmarked tracks, and potentially some bushwhacking in places.

After meeting at the Ragged Point Inn, we'll start by heading up the Baldwin Ranch Road for about 3/4 mile to the unmarked turnoff onto a track that quickly climbs through a fern forest up to an open grassy ridge, from which we will begin a steady and sometimes steep climb on various use trails all the way up to the main ridgeline. From there we will descend on another usetrail down the backside of the ridge to San Carporforo Camp which sits on San Carpoforo Creek at the bottom of Dutra Valley. We will then head up-valley along the Baldwin Ranch Road and the San Carpoforo Trail to the rarely visited Turkey Springs Camp (this may be our lunch stop). We'll then backtrack slightly and drop down a short but steep grassy hillside to the Baldwin Ranch Road which we will take a short way to a usetrail that will then take us steadily uphill back to the main ridgeline, from which we'll take a steep downhill track to the Baldwin Ranch Road which we'll then take back to the Ragged Point Inn. We'll enjoy spectacular ocean and inland views throughout.

RSVP: I'm crossposting this event with a couple of other of my hiking groups in Paso/SLO areas, and will limit total attendance to ~15. Note that this will be a strenuous hike considering the steep, sometimes off-trail and overgrown terrain. As is the case with most of my hikes, this is a waitlisted event, so please be sure you are confident of your ability to hike the distance+elevation before signing up. I will check in (via Meetup messages) with those who sign up with whom I haven't hiked previously before adding them.

Bring:

• Sturdy hiking shoes or boots with good tread
• Layered clothing for protection against wind and cool temperatures (there will definitely be poison oak at some points along our route, so be prepared for that; I would definitely not wear shorts and I highly recommend gaiters!)
• Sun protection (hat/sunscreen)
• Water (2-3 liters)
• Lunch (and other food/snacks for extra fuel) (we are going to stop for a leisurely lunch somewhere in Dutra Valley)
• Trekking poles are strongly advised for the steep up and down sections
• Rain or the threat of rain cancels

A Couple of Requests:

• Don't Be A No Show - if you can't make it, please remove your name from the attendee list in advance of the start time (there's no cell service at trailhead)
• Know Your Own Capabilities - Please don't sign up for a hike that is beyond the limits of your health & conditioning. This is not fair to others who expect to enjoy the hike at the level it was described.

RESPONSIBILITY: “The Monterey Bay Area Hiking Group” of Meetup.com (“MBAHG”) and its event/assistant organizers (the "Organizers") are not responsible for your safety. Outdoor activities are inherently dangerous. MBAHG doesn't certify the expertise of the Organizers. The Organizers in this Meetup.com group are volunteers. Neither MBAHG nor the Organizers make any representation or warranties about the quality, safety, or supervision of this activity. You are responsible for yourself and your own safety and assume all risks associated with the applicable activity. By signing up for this event, you acknowledge and agree to the foregoing and to the release set forth in Section 6 of the Meetup Terms of Service (and you specifically agree that such release applies to MBAHG and the Organizer(s) of this event) and you expressly release MBAHG and the Organizers from ANY responsibility, liability or claim in law or in equity in connection with this event."