1	Oakmont Hikers
2	Oakmont Hikers The Oakmont Hiking Club was formed in the early 1970’s to provide a hiking experience for Oakmont residents. The object of the Club is to provide hikes tailored to various levels of hiking abilities (see hike categories below) but always in a friendly atmosphere. The Club does not have any set dues but does have a Board of Directors who arrange for hikes and hike leaders. Most of the weekly club hikes are held in Sonoma, Marin and Napa Counties. In addition the Club has some special events each year, a potluck dinner in January, a picnic bar-b-cue In the summer and two Tri-niters—hiking excursions away from the home counties. All events are advertised in the Oakmont News and in this web site. NO RESERVATIONS REQUIRED FOR OUR WEEKLY HIKES. JUST SHOW UP. NOTE—At times, weather or other circumstances force last minute changes in hikes and sometimes cancellations.
3	Hike Categories SHORT HIKES----2 to 4 miles in length---Minimum elevation gain Good surfaces----Easy Pace---Leave Berger at 9:00AM First Thursday of Each Month INTERMEDIATE HIKES----4 to 7 miles in length---Up to 1000’ elev. gain A variety of trails and surfaces. Leave Berger at 9:00 AM Second, third and fourth Thursday of each month. LONG HIKES---6 to 11 miles in length—up to 2000’ plus elev. gain. All types of trails and surfaces. (Depending on the group the hike may be divided into faster and slower paced groups.) Leave Berger at 8:30 AM. First, third and fifth Thursdays of each month.
4	Club Regulations & Suggestions Anyone hiking with the Oakmont Hikers will be required to sign a disclaimer form relieving the Hiking Club Directors and Hike Leaders from legal liability in regard to any Hiking Club activity. (See below for a sample of this form.) This form will only have to be signed once and will then be kept on file. Also a copy of the signed form will be returned to the signee (for their records) to the address shown on the form. Although hike leaders usually carry a first-aid kit, the Oakmont Hikers are in no way responsible for providing first-aid to any participants and it is suggested that, if desired, participants carry their own first-aid kits. CAR POOLS---For car-pools to hiking sites away from the home area (i.e. Annadel State Park, Hood Mt. Regional Park, Sugar Loaf Ridge State Park and Jack London State Park) riders should share in the cost of gas with the driver. A suggested donation is $5 per person.
5	Disclaimer Form Sample I understand that during hikes of the Oakmont Hiking Club (AKA The Oakmont Hikers) in which I participate, certain risks and dangers might arise including but not limited to hiking or traveling in remote areas, animals, forces of nature, accident and illness, The Oakmont Hiking Club does not undertake and does not have any responsibility for the accuracy of any information it provides or to determine the suitability of any hike, driver, vehicle or any other event or activity of the Oakmont Hiking Club, in general or as to a particular person. The Oakmont Hiking Club has no duty to provide medical assistance or advice to any hiker. All persons who participate in any hike or other activities of the Oakmont Hiking Club accepts responsibility for making their own determination as to the suitability of the activity and for their own safety, conduct and well-being and agrees to participate at their own risk. In consideration of the right to participate in any hikes or other activities of the Oakmont Hiking Club, I, the undersigned, assume the risks associated with these activities and will hold the Oakmont Hiking Club, its officers, directors, hike leaders and agents harmless from and defend them against any and all liability, actions, suits, claims and demands which could arise from any of the club’s activities and from any loss or injury which I may sustain as a result of my participation in any of these activities. This agreement shall also serve as a release of liability and assumption of risk by me , and is intended to be binding on my heirs, administrators, executors and all members of my family. By my signature below I agree to all aspects of this disclaimer and agree to abide by any and all rules and regulations of the Oakmont Hiking Club. SIGNATURE___________________________________________________________ PRINT NAME __________________________________________________________ ADDRESS_____________________________________________________________ PHONE______________________________CELL_____________________________ E-MAIL ADDRESS_______________________________________________________
6	Hiking Club Directors Herm Hermann—539-1657 Frank Batchelor—537-6640 Suzanne Bond--538-3340 Yvonne Horn—537-9135 Larry Maniscalco—538—2089 Bernie Palk—537-8662 Chuck Stanley—539-1696 Kathy Vincent—538-3530
7	Dates to Remember August 12—Annual Hikers Picnic—Spring Lake Sept. 13,14,15—Fall Tri-niter---Pinecrest Nov. 21^st—Special Event—Sculptured Beach Twilight Hike Jan 22^nd, 2011---Annual Hikers Potluck—East Rec---5PM
8	Aug. 19, Intermediate Hike A NEW HIKE LOCATION---This is a new hike in the Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline near the Richmond/San Rafael Bridge. Beginning at Ferry Point we will hike to False Gun Vista and panoramic Nicholl Knob. With our elevation behind us, we will descend into historic Point Richmond and walk back along the shoreline via Ferry Point Tunnel, Keller Beach and Miller/Knox Lagoon. Distance is approximately five miles with two short but steep climbs of 300 to 375 feet each. After the hike, carpools might want to linger in the area to further explore Pt. Richmond Historic District or visit the Golden State Model Railroad Museum, the restored WWII troopship, Red Oak Victory, or the Rosie the Riveter Memorial in nearby Marina Bay Park. Bring lunch or a snack plus water. Hiking poles are advisable for the two steep sections. Leave Berger at 9AM. Hike Leader is Larry Maniscalco, 538-2089. NO RESERVATIONS NEEDED
9	August 19^th Long Hike The long hikers on this date will follow Randy and Kathy on various trails through Annadel. Most of the trails involved are fairly shady and generally in good condition. They may start at top of Starry Knolls and do a thru hike to the Channel Drive area which will involve car spotting. Under any circumstances the hike will be arounf 7/8 miles with well under a 1000’ elevation gain. Bring lunch and water and hiking sticks if you wish. Leave Berger at 8:30. Hike leaders Randy and Kathy Vincent, 538-3530. NO RESERVATION NEEDED
10	Aug. 26^th Intermediate Hike Where better to go in the dog days of August than Bear Valley at Pt. Reyes National Seashore. Part of this in the woods a long a flowing stream. Part on a ridge in the forest but with ocean views then dropping down to Bear Valley, perhaps along the way to pick some huckleberries. This will be a one-way hike of about 6.5 miles on good trails. According to Dick this is a one-way hike in the downhill direction but somehow still has 700’ of elevation gain. Well—no hike is perfect. Bring lunch and water and hiking sticks if so inclined. Leave Berger at 9AM. Hike leader is Dick Shlegeris, 537-6514. NO RESERVATIONS NEEDED.
11	Sept. 2^nd Hikes SHORT HIKE---The Short Hike this day will be an always interesting, docent led hike through the Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery. We will be led by Historian Bill Montgomery who has a lot of stories about this cemetery and some of its occupants. A donation of $2 per person is requested. Hike leader is Yvonne Horn, 537-9135. Leave Berger at 9AM. LONG HIKE---For the long hike on this date, we will drive to the Sonoma Coast and park at the Shell Beach parking lot. We will hike up to the top of Red Hill and then down to Pomo Campground for lunch. We will make a loop by taking the old trail back to the parking lot. Some great views from top of Red Hill. Hike is a little over 7 miles but with 1900’ elevation gain so is moderately strenuous. Bring lunch, water and hiking sticks. Leave Berger at 8:30 AM. Hike leader is Phil Wigen, 538-3194. NO RESERVATIONS NEEDED
12	Sept. 9, Intermediate Hike The Intermediate Hike on this date will be in Annadel State Park. We will start on the Cobblestone Trail and traverse it, plus the Rough Go and Orchard Trails for a partial loop hike. The distance is 6.3 miles with about 650’ of elevation gain. Mainly good trails except for a few rocky spots, particularly on the Rough Go trail. Bring water, lunch or a snack and hiking sticks if you wish. We will take our break at the Lake Ilsanjo Dam. Leave Berger at 9 AM. Hike leader is Herm Hermann, 539-1657. NO RESERVATIONS NEEDED
13	Fall Tri-niter-Sept. 13/16 2010 This year Fall Tri-niter will be held at Pinecrest in the Sierras. Pinecrest is located on Highway 4 about 30 miles east of the town of Sonora and at an elevation of about 5600’. As usual we will have our full complement of Short, Intermediate and Long hikes along with social hours each evening and probably a barbecue dinner one night. The hike directors responsible for this event are Bernie Palk, 537-8662 and Frank Batchelor, 537-6640. Please feel free to call them if you have any questions. IMPORTANT—Be sure to call them after you have made your reservations. AND—make your reservations early, reservations will close on August 1^st. DETAILS ON RESERVATIONS ON THE NEXT SLIDE
14	Reservations-Fall tri-niter Housing for the Fall Tri-niter will be at Pinecrest Chalets. They have a mixture of cabin facilities that can handle 26 couples in units with each couple having their own bath. Of these 19 are units that can accommodate either singles or a couple and have one bath. Two units have four (4) bedrooms and two baths and can accommodate two couples (or more if they are willing to share a bath. One unit has two bedrooms and two baths and can accommodate two couples. Most of the units have kitchens but eight do not. In addition there are 5 full RV hook-ups and 5 electric only hook-ups. If our demand exceeds the Chalet’s capacity there is a motel, Strawberry Inn, 3 miles away and possible some condominiums nearby may be available. Also there are some tent cabins (similar to Yosemite’s Curry Village) for very reasonable rates. MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS WITH PINECREST CHALETS—209-965-3276 and tell them you are with the Oakmont Hikers. You can discuss with them what accommodations are available. Descriptions and photos are available on their website---PinecrestChalets.com. AND—Don’t forget to let Bernie or Frank know when you have made your redervation.
15	Tri-niter Dinner There will be a group dinner for the Fall Tri-niter. It will be on the Wednesday Evening of the Tri-niter and will be held at Mia’s Restaurant which is 3 or 4 miles from Pinecrest. (Direction will be in the Tri-niter Brochure.) The dinner will include salad, vegetables etc. and a choice of 5 entrees. These are----- Sirloin Steak, Ribs, Grilled Salmon, Chicken Picata or a Vegetarian Pasta. The cost will be $29 per person including tax and tip with a $12 corkage fee. To reserve make out a check for $29 per person to Bernie Palk and send it along with your choice of entrée to Bernie at 6347 Meadowridge Drive, Santa Rosa, 95409 No reservations with out your check.
16	Sept. 23-Intermediate Hike This hike will be on the Sonoma Coast from Shell Beach to Red Hill. This is a hike of about 6 miles with 1000’ of elevation gain. Much of the hike is in the open with great views of the ocean. But by lunch we will be in a grove of Redwoods. For the return we will use the Pomo Canyon Trail. Bring hiking poles, lunch and water. Leave Berger at 9AM. Hike leader is Frank Batchelor, 537-6640 NO RESERVATIONS NEEDED
17	Sept. 30^th—Long Hike This fifth Thursday Long Hike will be a special hike, probably not done previously by our hiking club. This will be a hike on the complete length of the Bolinas Ridge in Marin County. We will do this hike from both ends. Some of the group will start at the trailhead on the Fairfax-Bolinas Road on the slopes of Mt. Tam and hike downhill. The other group will start at the trailhead on Sir Francis Drake Blvd. near Olema and Hike uphill. The total distance either way is about 11 miles. The uphill hikers will have an elevation gain of about 1500’ spread over the 11 miles. Good trails, some beautiful redwoods and some great views. We will park cars at both ends and the two groups will meet in the middle for lunch and exchange of car keys. This should be great hiking experience. Bring lunch, water and hiking sticks. This hike could be suitable for good intermediate hikers on the downhill portion. Leave Berger at 8:30 AM. Hike Leader is Dick Shlegeris, 537-6514 NO RESERVATIONS NEEDED
18	Oct. 7^th Hikes SHORT HIKE—This hike will be on the Lower Johnson Ridge Trail in Hood Mt. Regional Park. This is a good trail, mainly shaded, with a gradual 200’ elevation gain. We start at the lower parking lot and hike to the upper lot. Round trip is about 2.5 miles. Leave Berger at 9AM. Hike Leader is Patty Frankus, 538-8258 LONG HIKE--This hike will be in Pt. Reyes National Seashore. We will hike from the southern tip of Pt. Reyes along the ocean and then up into the hills past Bass and Pelican Lakes before coming to Double Point, a high promontory providing spectacular views of both the ocean and Pelican Lake inland. Then on to Alamere Falls, one of the few ocean bluff waterfalls anywhere. Hike is about 8.5 miles with 800’ of elevation gain. Bring lunch and water. Hike leader is Ken Stueben, 538-3340 NO RESERVATIONS NEEDED
19	Oct. 14^th—Intermediate Hike This hike will be in the Presidio of San Francisco, now part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. We will traverse various areas of the Presidio ending up on the Coastal Trail to the Golden Gate Bridge. This will be about 5 miles with minimal elevation gain. You will have the option of walking the 2 miles across the bridge. Bring water and your lunch. Leave Berger at 9 AM. Hike leader is Chuck Stanley, 539-1696. NO RESERVATIONS NEEDED
20	Special Hiking Club Event Mark your calendars for a special event—A repeat of a very popular hike to Sculptured Beach and Secret Beaches. This will be a twilight hike with cave exploration, sunset, bonfire, marshmallow roast and a full moon. Of course at this time of the year things are “iffy”. But we want to do it close to a very low tide and a full moon. So for now the date is Nov. 21^st, a Sunday evening. We might change the date by a day or so depending on the weather. Dick Shlegeris and Ken Stueben are again organizing and leading this event. This is just a “heads up” to reserve the date. Full details will come later.