Anita Zehnder & Mike Baird

This page contains information about Adventures with Nature non-interpreted exercise-based walks (called "Fast Hikes")
lead by Docents Anita Zehnder (805) 528-4227 [no e-mail] and Mike Baird mike [at} mikebaird d o t com
A topo map marked with all the trails followed is shown at http://docents.info/images/topo-map-of-MDO-w-trails/


Here is a new AWN walk approved 5/16/07, entitled "Fast Hike along the Morro Dunes Sandspit" to be lead by Docents Anita Zehnder and Mike Baird.  (11-5-07 Delete "Fast")

Hike along the Morro Dunes Sandspit:  Great exercise, companionship, and spectacular ocean, beach, and dune views.  On this vigorous non-interpreted hike, you will experience an infrequently visited area - the entire four-mile length of the ocean side of the Morro Dunes Sandspit - while viewing shore birds and learning about responsible beach combing.  The Morro Dunes sandspit forms the northern extension of Montaņa de Oro State Park, and is an ecologically diverse area that creates a unique barrier of sand dunes separating Morro Bay from the Pacific Ocean.  Bring water and snack.  Wear sturdy shoes.  Meet at the Montaņa de Oro Sand Spit parking area, located at the end of Sand Spit Road, off Pecho Valley Road, approximately one mile inside the entrance to Montaņa de Oro State Park.  Walks are scheduled to coincide with an outgoing tide to make walking easier.  9 mi., 4.5 hrs.

Category: (H) "Hike -- Active to strenuous, no interpretation." (Strenuous)

shorter version for calendar:

Hike along the Morro Dunes Sandspit: Great exercise, companionship, and spectacular ocean, beach, and dune views. On this vigorous hike, experience the entire four-mile length of the ocean side of the sandspit - while discussing ecological diversity and viewing many shore birds. Bring water and snack. Wear sturdy shoes. Meet at the Montaņa de Oro Sand Spit parking area, at the end of Sand Spit Rd, off Pecho Valley Rd, one mile inside the park. Walk coincides with an outgoing tide to make walking easier. 9 mi., 4.5 hrs. Category: (H)

The following is an older related hike description used by mistake for the 9/07 calendar (and which was 3 miles originally), but Anita liked this description so much and wanted to de-emphasize the "fast" aspect - that it was decided on 9/5/07 to use this description going forward.

Sand Spit Walk - Examine dune plants.  Enjoy the beauty of the surf and look at whatever has washed in.  Watch birds feed and consider their adaptations for contact with a cold salty environment.  Bring lunch, water and binoculars.  Meet in Montaņa de Oro State Park in the Sand Spit Parking Lot.  Turn right on paved road 0.8 miles from park entrance. (A) 9 mi., 4.5 hours.


Summary: (as modified 7-17-06) (11-5-07 Delete "Fast")

Hike to Valencia Peak: Great exercise, great companionship, and spectacular ocean, mountain and canyon views.  On this vigorous non-interpreted hike, you will view Montaņa de Oro and Morro Bay from Valencia Peak, while enjoying wildflowers, birds, and native vegetation.  Bring water and snack.  Wear hiking boots.  Meet at bluff parking area 300' south of the Ranch House.  1347 foot elevation, 3.7 mi., 2 hrs.  Optional slightly longer return along Oats Peak Trail (4.14 miles, 2.25 hours).
Category: (H) "Hike -- Active to strenuous, no interpretation." (Strenuous)

Outline/Plan -- longer description (rev. 7-17-06)   Docents: Anita Zehnder, Mike Baird
Theme:
  We gain inspiration and fully appreciate nature by pooling insights with like-minded companions on active hikes. 

Hike along a well-defined but at times steep single-track path, gaining about 1300 feet of elevation.  In these coastal scrub and chaparral  environments, you will discover many native shrubs and beautiful seasonal wild flowers.  Optionally bring binoculars to better view birds and the magnificent distance views of the mountains, sea, and bay.  By briskly hiking with other outdoor-loving companions, you will find that your knowledge and curiosity will mix with that of the others, and the expert training of qualified State Park docents, to provide an enriched unique experience, satisfying to both your body and your soul.  You may well meet others on this hike that you will run across again and again on other docent-led walks, making the outdoor experience even more enjoyable and valued.  When you are hiking and see something interesting in nature, you can appreciate it more if you can share and discuss your experience with others.  Some guests may  take photos and share them with others after these walks using Internet web sites and e-mail.  A topo map marked with our trail is shown at http://docents.info/images/topo-map-of-MDO-w-trails/

The docents will be prepared to discuss natural history topics as they come up, or may choose to give one or more short talks depending on the guests’ interests.  However, the hike will generally proceed with only a few very brief rest or interpretation stops to make sure we maintain an aerobic and healthy experience.  At the top of Valencia Peak we will rest for a snack for about 10-15 minutes, before returning on the same path to our starting point.  The hike will be paced to meet the needs and abilities of the participants.  This hike is conducted by two docents... one leading, and one following.  In this way, if any hikers need to proceed at a slower pace, or need to return without completing the loop, the follow-docent is available to assist those guests.  We invite suggestions for improving our hikes and walks, and we encourage your feedback and evaluation during and after the event.  Our objective is to make sure that you thoroughly enjoy and benefit from the natural beauty of our State Parks, and learn the importance of, and your role in, preserving these precious resources.

Related Resources:
A photo essay of Valencia Peak is online at http://morro-bay.com/outdoor/valencia/6-16-01hike.htm
Docent George Mason's 12-page Booklet: Self-Guided Geology Walk to Valencia Peak (Montaņa de Oro State Park, CA)


Summary: (as modified 7-17-06) (11-5-07 Delete "Fast")

Hike to Barranca Loop: Great exercise, great companionship, and spectacular ocean, mountain and canyon views.  On this vigorous non-interpreted hike, you will view Montaņa de Oro and Morro Bay from the Ridge and Barranca trails while enjoying wildflowers, birds, and native vegetation.  Bring water and snack.  Wear hiking boots.  Meet at Ridge Trail parking lot 2.3 miles south of park entrance, 0.25 miles north of Ranch House.  1000 foot elevation change, 8 mi., 4 hrs.
Category: (H) "Hike -- Active to strenuous, no interpretation." (Strenuous)

Outline/Plan -- longer description (rev. 7-17-06)   Docents: Anita Zehnder, Mike Baird
Theme:
  We gain inspiration and fully appreciate nature by pooling insights with like-minded companions on active hikes. 

Hike along a well-defined but at times steep single-track path, crossing over several 1000 foot peaks on the Ridge and Barranca loop trials.  In these coastal scrub and chaparral  environments, you will discover many native shrubs, trees, and beautiful seasonal wild flowers.  Optionally bring binoculars to better view birds and the magnificent distance views of the mountains, sea, and bay.  By briskly hiking with other outdoor-loving companions, you will find that your knowledge and curiosity will mix with that of the others, and the expert training of qualified State Park docents, to provide an enriched unique experience, satisfying to both your body and your soul.  You may well meet others on this hike that you will run across again and again on other docent-led walks, making the outdoor experience even more enjoyable and valued.  When you are hiking and see something interesting in nature, you can appreciate it more if you can share and discuss your experience with others.  Some guests may  take photos and share them with others after these walks using Internet web sites and e-mail.  A topo map marked with our trail is shown at http://docents.info/images/topo-map-of-MDO-w-trails/

The docents will be prepared to discuss natural history topics as they come up, or may choose to give one or more short talks depending on the guests’ interests.  However, the hike will generally proceed with only a few brief rest or interpretation stops to make sure we maintain an aerobic and healthy experience.  At the one-third way point on top of Hazard Peak, and/or at the two-thirds-way point, as we transition from the Ridge Trail to the Barranca Loop Trail, we will rest for a snack for about 15 minutes, before continuing on to the Islay Creek Road leading back to our starting point.  The hike will be paced to meet the needs and abilities of the participants.  This hike is conducted by two docents... one leading, and one following.  In this way, if any hikers need to proceed at a slower pace, or need to return without completing the loop, the follow-docent is available to assist those guests.  We invite suggestions for improving our hikes and walks, and we encourage your feedback and evaluation during and after the event.  Our objective is to make sure that you thoroughly enjoy and benefit from the natural beauty of our State Parks, and learn the importance of, and your role in, preserving these precious resources.


Summary: (as modified 7-17-06) (11-5-07 Delete "Fast")

Hike along Coon Creek:  Great exercise, great companionship, and spectacular creek and canyon views. On this vigorous non-interpreted hike, you will explore the riparian landscape along Coon Creek and admire a variety of wild flowers, berries, shrubs, and trees. Meet in Montana de Oro State Park at the end of Pecho Road in the Coon Creek parking lot. Bring water and snack. Wear hiking boots or sturdy walking shoes.  4.7 mi., 2.5 hr.  Optional longer return along Rattlesnake Flats Trail.
Category: (H) "Hike -- Active to strenuous, no interpretation." (Strenuous)

Outline/Plan -- longer description  (rev. 7-17-06)   Docents: Anita Zehnder, Mike Baird
Theme:  We gain inspiration and fully appreciate nature by pooling insights with like-minded companions on active hikes. 

Hike a well-defined wide fairly level path, crossing over six small shaded bridges along Coon Creek.  In this riparian landscape you will discover many berries, shrubs, trees, and beautiful seasonal wild flowers.  Optionally bring binoculars to better view the many birds.  By briskly hiking with other outdoor-loving companions, you will find that your knowledge and curiosity will mix with that of the others, and the expert training of qualified State Park docents, to provide an enriched unique experience, satisfying to both your body and your soul.  You may well meet others on this hike that you will run across again and again on other docent-led walks, making the outdoor experience even more enjoyable and valued.  When you are hiking and see something interesting in nature, you can appreciate it more if you can share and discuss your experience with others.  Some guests may  take photos and share them with others after these walks using Internet web sites and e-mail.  A topo map marked with our trail is shown at http://docents.info/images/topo-map-of-MDO-w-trails/

The docents will be prepared to discuss natural history topics as they come up, or may choose to give one or more short talks depending on the guests’ interests.  However, the hike will generally proceed with only a few brief rest or interpretation stops to make sure we maintain an aerobic and healthy experience.  At the half-way point, at the end of the Coon Creek path, we will rest for a snack for about 15 minutes, before returning.  The hike will be paced to meet the needs and abilities of the participants.  This hike is conducted by two docents... one leading, and one following.  In this way, if any hikers need to proceed at a slower pace, or need to return early, the follow-docent is available to assist those guests.  We invite suggestions for improving our hikes and walks, and we encourage your feedback and evaluation during and after the event.  Our objective is to make sure that you thoroughly enjoy and benefit from the natural beauty of our State Parks, and learn the importance of, and your role in, preserving these precious resources.

Docent Anita Zehnder, visitor Ann, and Bob Traver, apply ancient Chumash remedy (Mugwort plant) to poison oak exposure on Bob's arm while hiking Coon Creek.
4-10-04 (L-R) Docent Anita Zehnder, visitor Ann, and Bob Traver, apply ancient Chumash remedy (Mugwort plant) to poison oak exposure on Bob's arm while hiking Coon Creek


8-5-06 a Steelhead Trout, and a Vole seen along Coon Creek at Montaņa de Oro

 

Here are trail mileage and elevations for rescue information, proveded by Paul Oconer 6/6/09:

Coon Creek Trail mileage & elevations for Docents:
Start (at picnic benches) 0 138’
Creek Bottom .26 54’
1 st Bridge .45 75’
2 nd Bridge .75 105’
Lions Den 1.00 130’
Rattlesnake Flats Trail 1.26 211’
Creek Bed Crossing 1.41 188’
Table Rock 1.45 190’
Mother Oak 1.51 198’
3 rd Bridge 1.54 195’
4 th Bridge 1.68 212’
5 th Bridge 1.82 226’
6 th Bridge 1.97 240’
Oats Peak Trail 2.32 305’
Trail Terminus 2.53 352’
Total Mileage 5.1
Total Elevation Gain 298’


Blank self evaluation form mlb-2-25-06 (word, .pdf)    obsolete hike desc. versions for ref.
This page is http://morro-bay.com/docents/anitaz/  revised 02/18/2008 12:48 PM -0500
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