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)

I used to always organize a hike in the Monterey Bay Area Hiking Group (MBAHG) 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 the MBAHG, 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.

Disclaimer
This Meetup group, its organizers, and its members, take no responsibility for any injuries or accidents that may occur during events. By joining this event you take full responsibility for your own safety. Please ensure that you are in good health before participating and understand that there is risk involved in your participation. This Meetup group does not certify the qualifications of any of its organizers or trip leaders, and they are not responsible for your safety. We are all just participants. By signing up for this event and participating you acknowledge you have read this Disclaimer and agree to its terms and to the release set forth in Section 6 of the Meetup Terms of Service.