What weโre about
We organize 3 to 5-day long weekend trips to National Parks in the US, in a comfortable mode with economy hotels' accommodations and getting around in a locally rented van with no more than 6 people in a group.
We also organize weekly local hikes such as an easy hike/walk at Alviso Marina county park, Baylands Nature Preserve, Rancho San Antonio C.P., etc.
Our events are usually cross-posted with tech pros' Meetup groups: Silicon Valley Indian Professionals Association (SIPA), California Software Professional Association (CSPA), Global Online Tech & Startup Networking & Training Meetup and others. We want to network and build a community of good people!
As such , our local events will be complemented by after-hike networking time at the picnic tables or group gathering areas. Participants are asked to voluntary chip in for beverages /snacks.
Other NPQ's California favorites are: Almaden Quicksilver County Park, Alum Rock Park, Santa Teresa County Park, Joseph Grant County Park, Hellyer County Park. We will organize moderate-level hikes in these parks on some Sundays.
NPQ also organizes:
- Backpacking trips to beautiful locations in California. Our picks are Desolation Wilderness, and Emigrant Wilderness.
- Tent-camping plus hiking events in California's state parks, county parks and beaches.
- Yosemite National Park four-seasons tent-camping and hiking events: April โ for water galore, November โ for fall foliage, December โ for solitary, February โ for The Firefall. Our awesome leader for all Yosemite events, Skip, is a true appreciator of the park and its life-long supporter through Yosemite Conservancy, the park's philanthropic partner.
- Starting from 2023 we will also organize sightseeing trips, cultural and social events like visiting museums, concerts, performances, dining, movie discussions and so on.
Here are National Parks that we visited in the past (ATTN: missing photo albums will be RESTORED during Aug 2023):
- Death Valley, Yosemite, Redwood, Lassen Volcanic and Pinnacles in California,
- Saguaro and Petrified Forest, and Grand Canyon in Arizona,
- White Sands and Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico and Guadalupe Mountain in Texas,
- Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee and Mammoth Cave in Kentucky,
- Rocky Mountain, Great Sand Dunes, Black Canyon of the Gunnison and Mesa Verde in Colorado,
- Wind Cave, Badlands, and Mountain Rushmore Monument in South Dakota,
- Yellowstone and Grand Teton in Wyoming,
- Indiana Dunes in Indiana and Cuyahoga Valley in Ohio, Niagara Falls in New York,
- Bryce Canyon, Zion, Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef in Utah,
- Mount Rainier, Olympic, and North Cascades in Washington,
- Denali and Kenai Fjords in Alaska,
- Crater Lake in Oregon,
- Glacier in Montana,
- Acadia in Maine,
- Shenandoah in Virginia,
- Congaree in South Carolina,
- Big Bend in Texas,
- Everglades, Biscayne NPs and Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida.
And we plan to add to the list: Hawaii Volcanoes, Haleakalฤ in Hawaii with, possibly, the National Park of American Samoa, and Voyageurs and Isle Royale National Parks in Minnesota.
in 2023 and 2024 we want to go and explore again in depth the amazing parks of Colorado, Utah, Arizona, California, Alaska, Washington, Montana, Wyoming, Texas and Mid-Atlantic.
In space-limited events (like small group multi-day trips) the preference is given to members who previously attended other NPQ's events and met their fellow group members in-person.
Please sign up to WAIT-LIST when the event if full - chances are you eventually get to the main list: some people in the main list happen to change their mind as the dates coming up. Or they do not respond the organizers' messages about the event. In this case they got moved out and people from the wait list go to the main list.
By accepting membership in this group you acknowledge you have fully read, understand, and agree to the Disclaimer located by the following link.
Disclaimer: https://4142298.xyz/u-s-national-parks-quest-group/messages/boards/thread/53973560#133769659
Happy trails! ๐ ๐ถโโ๏ธ๐ถโโ๏ธ
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Hike at Alviso Marina County Park, ~4.5mi, 1.5-hour, easy hikeAlviso Marina County Park, Alviso, CA
This hike at the serene and colorful area of Alviso Marina will repeat two Saturday mornings per month. We will hike along salt ponds, channel of the Guadalupe river and a network of levees. These easy hikes can be a way to train ourselves for longer hiking trips, and to meet your group members in person.
We will take Alviso Slough Trail. This is a flat, fast-paced hike and it can serve as a warm-up for your other activities later on this day. But if everybody in the group wants to do a longer hike, there are choices of trails at Alviso to extend our activities ))
The construction of that part of Alviso Slough Trail is scheduled to be finished by summer 2025. Until then we will hike the trail out and back, up to the old pump station. After construction is finally over we will be hiking the loop.
Please, bring:
* layered cloths/windbreaker,
* shoes appropriate for a rough trail,
* water,
* hat,
* sunglasses
* sunscreen.The weather forecast in the area: http://bit.ly/3qhmXih
Please be aware that in the case of precipitation in the area the day before the hike - the trail can get muddy here and there. So, put on appropriate shoes, do not wear nice textile shoes..
No parking fee is charged currently at Alviso.
The Park is 100% open space and a good setting for cognitive respite by relaxing and restoring the mind ))
We plan to complement these hikes with networking time AFTER a hike, 9:30am-10:30am so that group members could connect more directly.
This can be happening either at the picnic tables in the park, or at a eating place nearby. Here are some options:
El Taco de Oro , opens 9am
Vahl's Restaurant , opens 11am
Rosita's De Basilio Deli & Market , opens 11am.We found out that El Taco de Oro is a suitable place for after hike networking ๐โ ($3.25/taco, friendly staff and plenty of space.) Her is the full menu: https://4142298.xyz/superfab/photos/33232901/510500797/
Depending on the group's mood, we can go on networking or not (it's up to everyone to decide to go on or not, no obligations/expectations.)This event is cross-posted with tech pro's Meetup groups: Silicon Valley Indian Professionals Association (SIPA), Global Online Tech & Startup Networking & Training Meetup and others.
Let's see each other at Alviso!
- Hike at Alviso Marina County Park, ~4.5mi, 1.5-hour, easy hikeAlviso Marina County Park, Alviso, CA
This hike at the serene and colorful area of Alviso Marina will repeat two Saturday mornings per month. We will hike along salt ponds, channel of the Guadalupe river and a network of levees. These easy hikes can be a way to train ourselves for longer hiking trips, and to meet your group members in person.
We will take Alviso Slough Trail. This is a flat, fast-paced hike and it can serve as a warm-up for your other activities later on this day. But if everybody in the group wants to do a longer hike, there are choices of trails at Alviso to extend our activities ))
The construction of that part of Alviso Slough Trail is scheduled to be finished by summer 2025. Until then we will hike the trail out and back, up to the old pump station. After construction is finally over we will be hiking the loop.
Please, bring:
* layered cloths/windbreaker,
* shoes appropriate for a rough trail,
* water,
* hat,
* sunglasses
* sunscreen.The weather forecast in the area: http://bit.ly/3qhmXih
Please be aware that in the case of precipitation in the area the day before the hike - the trail can get muddy here and there. So, put on appropriate shoes, do not wear nice textile shoes..
No parking fee is charged currently at Alviso.
The Park is 100% open space and a good setting for cognitive respite by relaxing and restoring the mind ))
We plan to complement these hikes with networking time AFTER a hike, 9:30am-10:30am so that group members could connect more directly.
This can be happening either at the picnic tables in the park, or at a eating place nearby. Here are some options:
El Taco de Oro , opens 9am
Vahl's Restaurant , opens 11am
Rosita's De Basilio Deli & Market , opens 11am.We found out that El Taco de Oro is a suitable place for after hike networking ๐โ ($3.25/taco, friendly staff and plenty of space.) Her is the full menu: https://4142298.xyz/superfab/photos/33232901/510500797/
Depending on the group's mood, we can go on networking or not (it's up to everyone to decide to go on or not, no obligations/expectations.)This event is cross-posted with tech pro's Meetup groups: Silicon Valley Indian Professionals Association (SIPA), Global Online Tech & Startup Networking & Training Meetup and others.
Let's see each other at Alviso!
- Hike at Stevens Creek County park, 5.9mi/2.75h, moderate hikeStevens Creek Chestnut Parking Lot and fee station, Cupertino, CA
Let's hike a loop trail that is steep enough to provide a good workout, switchbacks and variety of scenic views over the rolling hills and the lake to reward our efforts.
Trail's summary:
- Length: 5.9mi, moderate loop,
- Elevation gain: 1079 ft,
- 70% shady,
- Dogs are not allowed.
Please, bring:
- layered cloths,
- shoes appropriate for an unpaved trail,
- hiking poles if you used to them,
- hat,
- water,
- sunscreen,
- sunglasses.
Where we meet:
To avoid people getting lost within many parking lots in this park - let's pick a certain place with a name: Chestnut Picnic Area. It's close to the main entrance. Let's meet there, and you can park in any parking lot nearby. From Chestnut Picnic Area we will proceed to Stevens Canyon Trail that we hike. Here is a map with blue arrows showing the meeting point:
https://4142298.xyz/superfab/photos/33232850/514276685/
coordinates: 37.31716164928781, -122.07368465332924Photos of the meeting parking lot area:
https://4142298.xyz/superfab/photos/33232850/514401097/
https://4142298.xyz/superfab/photos/33232850/514400846/The whole Park's brochure:
https://parks.sccgov.org/sites/g/files/exjcpb961/files/documents/Stevens%20Creek%20Brochure%20Cover.pdfThis trail has poison oak, looks like this:
https://4142298.xyz/superfab/photos/33232850/510500633/
be careful.Parking fee is $6 payable with machines at parking lots; finding a spot can be competitive in this park, please allow time for this.
ATTN: This trail is a combination of other trails, with some intersections, so if you think you may want to separate from the group/slow down at some point, make sure you get the parks's map and get known (from the leader) how to proceed on your own, otherwise a wrong turn can lead to a different part of this large park.
Let's meet and hike at Stevens Creek!
- Hike at Alviso Marina County Park, ~4.5mi, 1.5-hour, easy hikeAlviso Marina County Park, Alviso, CA
This hike at the serene and colorful area of Alviso Marina will repeat two Saturday mornings per month. We will hike along salt ponds, channel of the Guadalupe river and a network of levees. These easy hikes can be a way to train ourselves for longer hiking trips, and to meet your group members in person.
We will take Alviso Slough Trail. This is a flat, fast-paced hike and it can serve as a warm-up for your other activities later on this day. But if everybody in the group wants to do a longer hike, there are choices of trails at Alviso to extend our activities ))
The construction of that part of Alviso Slough Trail is scheduled to be finished by summer 2025. Until then we will hike the trail out and back, up to the old pump station. After construction is finally over we will be hiking the loop.
Please, bring:
* layered cloths/windbreaker,
* shoes appropriate for a rough trail,
* water,
* hat,
* sunglasses
* sunscreen.The weather forecast in the area: http://bit.ly/3qhmXih
Please be aware that in the case of precipitation in the area the day before the hike - the trail can get muddy here and there. So, put on appropriate shoes, do not wear nice textile shoes..
No parking fee is charged currently at Alviso.
The Park is 100% open space and a good setting for cognitive respite by relaxing and restoring the mind ))
We plan to complement these hikes with networking time AFTER a hike, 9:30am-10:30am so that group members could connect more directly.
This can be happening either at the picnic tables in the park, or at a eating place nearby. Here are some options:
El Taco de Oro , opens 9am
Vahl's Restaurant , opens 11am
Rosita's De Basilio Deli & Market , opens 11am.We found out that El Taco de Oro is a suitable place for after hike networking ๐โ ($3.25/taco, friendly staff and plenty of space.) Her is the full menu: https://4142298.xyz/superfab/photos/33232901/510500797/
Depending on the group's mood, we can go on networking or not (it's up to everyone to decide to go on or not, no obligations/expectations.)This event is cross-posted with tech pro's Meetup groups: Silicon Valley Indian Professionals Association (SIPA), Global Online Tech & Startup Networking & Training Meetup and others.
Let's see each other at Alviso!
