Archive for October, 2011
Newly Opened Cowell-Purisima Trail Is a Hit!
The new Cowell-Purisima Trail — a broad, relatively flat 3-mile trail tucked between artichoke and brussel sprout fields and a rugged stretch of San Mateo coastline — has generated a lot of interest, and more than a few hikers, since it opened last month.
The opening was heralded in nearly every local media outlet, including the San Jose Mercury News, the Half Moon Bay Review, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Bay Citizen, and Half Moon Bay’s Patch. It’s even found its way onto the national everything-but-the-kitchen-sink site About.com.
In many ways, the story of the trail — which is owned and managed by POST — is the story of the California Coastal Trail to which it adds three miles: It’s not easy to secure permanent public access to our coastline, but there’s a lot of pent-up demand for residents to get out there and appreciate California’s windswept western edge.
POST first acquired the land on which the coastal trail now sits 25 years ago. It’s taken that long to coordinate with all of the state agencies that help oversee the state’s shoreline (particularly during difficult economic times), to work with longtime farmers to ensure their operations aren’t disrupted and to secure enough funding to create a safe, visitor-friendly trail on the rugged terrain.
The million-dollar-per-mile price tag may sound like a lot, not least to the many generous POST donors who helped make this public trail possible, but it’s actually slightly under what the state budgeted on a per-mile basis to realize the dream of a public trail along the coast from Oregon to Mexico.
From the interest the trail has gotten, though, it seems that Californians believe the time and effort are well spent to appreciate the sweeping views — and seals! — the trail provides.
Check out POST’s photos of a recent walk-and-talk Paul Ringgold led on the trail, and don’t miss Patch’s virtual hike.
Photos by Kathryn Hargis
Little Basin: Time for S’mores and More
by Megan Hansen
Little Basin is a great redwood retreat for families. Once the exclusive campground of Hewlett-Packard employees, POST and the Sempervirens Fund purchased the 534-acre property and transferred it earlier this year to California State Parks. Now part of Big Basin Redwoods State Park, it’s open to the public all year long for day hikes and overnight camping (with a four-person minimum per camping group).
On the day we arrived, we set up camp at site 20, and it couldn’t have been easier. Our site, equipped with a charcoal-burning barbecue grill, a table with benches, a food locker and wood-burning fire pit, was right next to a swing set—which is very handy when you’re putting up a tent with a toddler helping out.
During previous visits to Little Basin, we had the campground largely to ourselves. This time, the breeze was filled with the laughter of “big kids” (as my toddler calls them) playing on swings and running across the footbridges over the creek. Nearby, adults chatted while visiting each other at their spacious campsites. At one point someone broke out an acoustic guitar and started playing, much to our delight.
Once we set up camp, we took a walk around to explore. We easily found the bathrooms (spotless!). We spent the afternoon playing all-terrain bocce ball and riding our bikes along the paved loop road. Soon it was time to eat (veggie tinfoil dinners) and start our blueberry and peach Dutch-oven cobbler. (You can’t go wrong with this recipe!) And while it might be tricky to pack in ice cream, you can always bring whipped cream to top your treat.
We followed our meal with a leisurely walk to Little Basin’s big meadow, where we saw several deer. We gazed up at the moon and stars before returning to our tent for a campfire and some s’mores. As night fell, the campground became still and quiet. Mesmerized by the fire, we told stories before heading off to bed.
We awoke to a cool and refreshing morning. We started a campfire and relaxed with breakfast and coffee. When we were done, we packed up camp (dowsing the fire thoroughly, of course) and took a hike on the Tanbark Loop Trail (PDF map). Redwoods, knob-cone pines and mixed hardwood forest shade the leisurely trail.
After our two-hour hike, we ate lunch at one of the many picnic tables and stopped at the playground before loading up the car and heading back home over the mountain. It felt as if Little Basin had woken up from a long slumber and was welcoming us with open arms. We’re already planning a return trip to this magical place.
Little Basin is open daily for hiking. Overnight campaign is available year-round for groups of four or more. There are 12 cabins, 38 tent spaces, several RV sites and a large group camping area. Amenities include a recreation hall, tennis court, basketball court, two sports fields, group BBQ area and playgrounds. Firewood available for purchase at the entrance.
Click here to get more information on how to make a reservation. Click here for a map.
POST
Jeff Powers
Paul Ringgold
Meghan Scanlon
post4laura
