3rd Annual Bay Area BPL Hike

Interesting and fun. C'mon how often do you get to see some snow around here?

For anyone who's been there before – any idea given the potentially wet and snowy weather Th/F and Sa morning how much driving time to add Saturday early AM for the road going up to the parking lot from Morgan Hill? First time there.

That road is pretty slow and winding, but it isn't very many miles. If there is traffic in front of you, be prepared for a long drive.

–B.G.–

Well the Sheriff Dept. could close the road. They do that with Mt. Hamilton, Hwy 9, etc. There is only one way to find out I guess.

EJ I have no clue. Add an hour??

Well, I think that by now everyone knows that we are expecting cold and possibly wet weather.

That said, I am soooo looking forward to this!

Going to pack extra clothing and going to see if my 25F-30F Quilt will handle the cold weather….if not, it is only one night and a short distance in. Perfect situtation to "safely" test out gear.

The fact that we have support vehicles with firewood and water means that this is going to be luxury camping to say the least.

Remember to pack some extra food to stay warm….look at this as an opportunity to pack clothing for a snow camping trip, but without tons of snow to require snowshoes and shovels.

For wet feet, grab some UPS plastic bags for free and cut them down to sock size, put your sock on and then put them into the bag and then into your shoes. Cheap, durable vapor barrier to keep warmer and dry while we are standing around.

Wet feet will make you miserable to no end, even if the rest of your body is bundled up nicely.

Do all that you can too prepare for cold and if you keep warm and dry, it is going to be a blast!!!

-Tony

No support vehicle if the park says no to the muddy road leading to the camp.

I was wondering about the road getting closed. That'd be a bummer.

Warm and dry is for Californians. Real backpackers like to be wet, cold and miserable. Prepares us for marriage……

It would suck if they closed the road – we have an AWD Outback that loves to eat snow and have chains if necessary. I'm all for go and second Tony's good advice. We're dressing and sheltering for snow trip minus the heavy snow. IF they close the road Sat AM, can always beg Sheriff's department to open the road if we show AWD and chains.

I was referring to Friday afternoon and night. The weather takes a turn for the better starting Sat. It would all depend on how icy the roads were on Sat. Us Californians (or some of us, not me) cannot drive very well in the snow, so the Sherrif Dept. makes it a habit to close roads ! Friday calls for a 1/2 to 1 inch of snow at elevation. Saturday will be good to go!

For those traveliing……if the road is closed for snow, and you need a place to stay, I have space available near Santa Cruz. Pm me if you are interested.

If anyone is stuck needing a place to stay, welcome here too.

If the Sheriff's department closes the road, the road is closed. R1, R2, and R3 restrictions only apply if the road is open.

–B.G.–

well

i guess we should pack all the heat we possibly can lol going to be a wet and cold trip i have pretty much made the sad but mandatory decision to leave my 6 yr old son at home for this trip as i feel that he is not quite ready for nasty weather camping just yet i may regret this decision later on but i will have to deal with that as it comes along

see everyone in t minus 2 days and counting hehe

kevin

Kevin,

My kids will also stay home this weekend. Now I just need to decide whether I go without them – if yes, whether I still go Friday and hike from Hunting Hollow or whether I go Saturday directly to the meeting place.

Hhmm.

Manfred

…warm and dry is for Californians…..? We'll see.

All of this could and likely will turn out to be a non-issue. My grandfather used to love to raise a fist to weathermen for their lies, lies and darn lies and for getting people riled up for no reason (never mind helping people be prepared for bad weather – he focused on their high miss rate).

Now in the event of a road closure, is there a backup location within reasonable distance (30 min – 1 hour) at lower elevation that could accommodate us?

I'm not suggesting another big research and reservation project, just asking if anyone knows any place offhand.

With bad weather even popular drive-in campgrounds at low elevation close to towns are going to be empty, making it easy for us to just pull in and take all the spots we need.

I say, if the road closes, we just hike in all the same. Only difference will be no vehicles, right? We can each carry a little extra since it's a short hike in.

EJ-No there is not. I researched and no place has the space to accomodate this large of a crowd. Secondly if there was, then finances would have to take shape in order to rent a spot.

Kat- yes that could be done. But where would everyone park. We are anticipating 70-80 people. This is a two lane mountain road.

Most likely the road will open on Sat. with good weather expected. It is the FRIDAY night that might be in question

I was referring to Manzanita Rd. I really doubt that the road to park headquarters will close. We're still talking about a max of 2" snow, I think. Can't plan it all, I guess. Will have to make it work. I have AWD and chains and can shuttle if necessary.

as mentioned numerous times. Two vehicles are allowed into the group site. Once there, they cannot leave. If the park deemes the road too muddy then they will not allow vehicles into Manzanita point. If that is the case then we have a contigency plan provided by the park.

backup plans are for ….. never mind…….

Ken, I got that. I was offering shuttling to Park Headquarters if that becomes an issue, not to M. Point

Gotcha Kat

Looks like no rain, just snow, from Friday on. Am I reading that right?