Connect Outdoors: Hiking and Social Gatherings

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About us

Welcome to our Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Jose hiking and friendship group. Make friends and sweat 💦😅😋😊👍.

We offer an array of outdoor activities, with a focus on moderate to challenging hikes. Our hikes are also a place to learn some of the natural history of our area. Some hikes will go slowly enough to identify and photograph plants and mushrooms, and the occasional newt or bird (or mammal, of course). Other hikes are more focused on getting a good workout in a beautiful environment, in the company of other pleasant people. Most of our hikes are a mix of the two. Please be compassionate and mindful of everyone during our hikes.

We also sponsor a smaller number of indoor activities, be it (optionally) getting together at a pub or restaurant after a hike, or our monthly, roving trivia night. We sometimes refer to these events, affectionately and mirthfully, as "Connect Indoors".

Please join us!

Upcoming events

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Old Growth Loop & Dip in Aptos Creek, 6 miles [Lower Nisene Marks]
Sat, Oct 17 · 9:30 AM PDT
Peet’s Coffee, 50 Rancho Del Mar, Aptos, CA, US
We will turn our regular route around to visit the few remaining ancient redwoods first, in the Forest of Nisene Marks. Along the way, we will pay our respects to a fallen giant, The Advocate Tree, and then continue into the deep shade of the forest. As the heat of the day begins to penetrate, we will stop for a break along Aptos Creek, for snacks and an optional dip in the creek.

Hike: ~6 miles, ~700’ TEG (total elevation gain)

Difficulty: Although, technically, this is a “walk in the park”, please be prepared for something quite a bit more strenuous and rugged than a typical neighborhood stroll. The trail has short sections of steep uphill and downhill grade, with some single track sections over very uneven ground. There are also stream crossings — most with seasonal bridges, but you may wish to bring hiking poles just in case.

STREAM CROSSING:
There is one notable bridge-less stream crossing almost at the beginning. If you choose to cross over the rocks, I recommend poles for this crossing. The Sierra Club recommends that ALL stream crossings are done by walking through the water, due to the risk to your ankles from loose rocks. I will let you make that call, but please ask for help if you need a hand!

Expect a few mountain bikes and other hikers on the weekend, but generally everyone is in such a good mood that it adds rather than detracts from the hike.

Legal Disclaimer: The organizers and hosts in this group are not professional guides, and each person who signs up for a trip/meetup/ or outing is responsible for his or her own safety and the safety of his or her guests and property. By signing up for a hike, or any other event organized by this group, you are acknowledging that you are aware and have made your guests aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with any outdoor activity and freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards, and further agree to release and discharge the organizer, assistant organizers, event organizers and event hosts of this Meetup group from and against any and all liability arising from your and your guest's participation in the group activities. These are always “Hike at your Own Risk” events.
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