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.
Mixed Use Trails – Safety and Etiquette in the Great Outdoors
by Laura Langford, Interim Communications Associate
Going for a weekend hike‚ we envision strolling along open meadows teeming with wildflowers and wildlife, or challenging our stamina on a steep trek through hills and redwoods. But enjoying the outdoors means sharing it with others. Hikers, bicyclists, equestrians, runners, small children, senior citizens, dog-walkers, photographers, people in wheelchairs, bird watchers, and other nature study groups are all out on the trails exploring open space. A little preparation for interactions on mixed-use trails ensures that everyone has a great time getting out on the land.
Right of Way
Most trail etiquette falls under the rules of common courtesy, but there are a few crucial details to consider. If you are on a mixed-use trail (hikers, cyclists, equestrians), the right of way is:
Cyclists yield to Hikers and Horses.
Hikers yield to Horses.
Cyclists generally move the fastest and can be potentially dangerous, so they must yield to slower traffic. Horses are large and can be easily frightened; therefore equestrians get precedence over other trail users.
Hikers and Runners
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photo courtesy MROSD
Hike quietly, and turn your cell phone down (or off).
- Stay on the trail. Do not cut switchbacks or take shortcuts.
- Stay to the right on wider paths.
- When overtaking other trail users, let them know you are approaching and will be passing on the left. You may hear a cyclist or runner call out, “On your Left!” as s/he comes up from behind. That means you should stay to your right.
- When you stop for a view, a rest or to yield, move just off the trail so it is free for others.
- Hikers and runners going uphill are working hard and should be given the right of way over those coming downhill.
- Greet others on the trail, especially if you are coming up from behind. No one wants to get startled. A smile, nod or brief “hello” is sufficient.
- When hiking in a group, hike single file or take no more than half of a wide trail.
- Be in control of your children! This is a great opportunity to teach them about trail courtesy as well!
- If you packed it in, pack it out. You know what we mean…
- Meeting horses: move off the trail on the downhill side (horses generally bolt uphill if frightened) and make sure the horses and riders can see you. Greet the riders and ask if you are ok where you are. Stand quietly while the horses pass.
Hikers with dogs
photo courtesy MROSD
- If you hike with your dog, have your pet under control at all times. Not all dogs are used to outdoor activities (horses, bikes, children, large groups), so make sure you have introduced Spot to all possible encounters. Bring plenty of poop bags to pack out any droppings. No, the side of the trail is not an option.
- Hikers with dogs must follow county/local leash laws. Most parks require that your dog be on a leash of no more than 6 feet, so watch those retractable flexi-leashes! They can be dangerous if your dog bolts out in front of others!
Cyclists
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photo courtesy MROSD
Be a positive representative of your local cycling community! Yes, it’s fun to go fast, but please be respectful of others. Speeding cyclists can scare horses, dogs AND people, and it’s entirely possible you won’t know what wreck you’ve left in your wake.
- When approaching from behind, announce yourself well in advance and reduce your speed to pass safely.
- Approach blind curves with caution — assume someone is coming in the opposite direction.
- Pass horses as far to the left as possible to avoid unintentional contact, or stop if the rider asks. If you approach horse that is spooking or appears frightened, be considerate and stop. Wait for the rider to tell you that it is OK to pass. Most trail horses are used to cyclists, but you might be meeting one that is just learning about bikes and other trail expectations.
Equestrians
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photo courtesy MROSD
Be an ambassador for the equestrian world! Horses are intimidating to many of the people you’ll meet on trails, so it’s best to be friendly to all and have your beastie on his best behavior. Since horse reactions are the wild card in public settings, you are responsible for knowing your limitations and ensuring that everyone stays safe.
- Desensitize your horse to the many strange-and-scary things typically on a mixed-use trail before you go out. Have a friend ride a mountain bike next to your horse and occasionally stop to feed treats. Do the same routine with backpacks.
- Make sure that your horse is comfortable around leashed dogs and children. Dogs can lunge and children may run and shriek. It’s your responsibility to manage your horse’s reactions and take necessary precautions.
- If at all possible, stay off muddy trails! Horse hooves make a big mess out of a small one quickly. Wet trails are generally closed to horse traffic with good reason.
Common sense and courtesy should be the general rule. See you on the trail!
San Francisco Garter Snakessssss at Cloverdale
While hiking out on Cloverdale Coastal Ranches recently, POST staffer Gordon Clark came across an endangered San Francisco Garter Snake.
San Francisco Garter Snake
The San Francisco Garter Snake has been listed as federally endangered since 1967, and we here at POST are proud to be part of regional efforts to safeguard this brightly-colored snake. In fact, our Cloverdale Coastal Ranches property is home to one of their largest populations, thanks in part to habitat restoration efforts on the property.
Using state and federal grants, POST has improved pond and wetland habitat at Cloverdale, and there are signs these efforts are succeeding. “One pond was so crowded with rushes, a person could walk across it,” says Dave Kelly, recovery program coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department in Sacramento. “Now there is open water and improved vegetation on the banks. Both are important for wildlife. Cloverdale is an excellent model for how habitat restoration should be done.”
Limited permits are available to visit Cloverdale. If you’re interested, please contact Catherine Waterston at cwaterston at openspacetrust.org.
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Jeff Powers
Paul Ringgold
Meghan Scanlon
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