Dear Hiker,

Fifty-three people joined us yesterday for our Sonoma Ridge Trail hike at Jack London State Historic Park, the weather was outstanding, and it was great to see so many people!

Please join “Dave & Bill Hikes” on Saturday, January 21, for a hike at Kunde Estate Winery & Vineyards. We had planned to hike at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park but it has been closed due to budget cuts.  The Kunde family has stepped up to the plate and generously allowed us this very special opportunity to hike on their 1850 acres of private land.  We will meet at 9:45 AM at their tasting room in Kenwood for a prompt 10 AM departure.  You will be required to sign a waiver before departing.  Our route will take us through forests, vineyards, and cattle fields, with brief stops at their Mountaintop Tasting deck and Dunfillan Winery ruins.  Our lunch stop will be at C.S. Ridge.  This strenuous eight mile hike has a total elevation gain of 1400 feet and will last approximately five hours.  Wear sturdy shoes and layered clothing, and bring plenty of water and a lunch. Don't forget that we hike rain or shine.  When we return to the tasting room, complimentary wine tasting will be offered.  This hike is NOT sponsored by Sonoma County Regional Parks, California State Parks, and Valley of the Moon Natural History Association.  AFTER THE HIKE HAS STARTED YOU WILL NOT HAVE THE OPTION OF TURNING AROUND MIDWAY SO PLEASE BE CERTAIN THAT YOU

HAVE THE TIME AND ENERGY TO COMPLETE THE ENTIRE HIKE.  ALSO, PLEASE NOTE THAT LATE ARRIVALS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO JOIN THE HIKE.  Kunde is located on Highway 12, just south of Kenwood's only traffic light.

You can access the "Dave & Bill Hikes" web page directly (add it to your “Favorites” list for fast and accurate information about our hikes - including our remaining 2012 schedule) at;

     www.sonic.net/~fmi/daveandbill.html   

"Dave & Bill Hikes" (excluding this special Kunde hike, and the Yosemite and San Francisco “Road Trips”) are sponsored by Sonoma County Regional Parks, California State Parks, and Valley of the Moon Natural History Association.

Please consider carpooling.  Anyone wishing to carpool can meet at the St. Francis (Safeway) shopping center in Santa Rosa for a prompt 9:20 AM departure.  The meeting place is in the corner of the parking lot nearest the Calistoga Road and Highway 12 intersection.  This is a “leaderless” carpool meeting place i.e. it’s up to those who are there to organize the carpool.

Many of you have asked Dave and me what you can do to help save our parks.  The most up-to-date and accurate information can be obtained by going to www.parksalliance.com.  This website also offers a way for you to make donations to specific parks.  It appears that the Valley of the Moon Natural History Association will eventually be operating Jack London State Historic Park, Sonoma County Regional Parks  will be operating Annadel State Park, and hopefully the Sonoma Ecology Center will operate Sugarloaf Ridge State Park.  All three of these agencies will need volunteer help.  Check the above website for park specific information and please step up to the plate by making a generous donation of your time and money.

For those who like to hike on Fridays, please join Laura and Bob at Jack London Historic State Park on Friday, January 13, for a moderate hike on the Sonoma Ridge trail past the lake area. The distance roundtrip is eight miles with an elevation gain of 1800 feet, and takes about 5 hours including a lunch stop.  Those who have less time can go as far as the lake or return via the Ridge trail before they reach the summit.  The group will meet at 10 AM at the upper parking lot and leave promptly at 10:15 AM. Please bring water, a bag lunch and your entry fee. This hike is sponsored by California state parks and Valley of the Moon Natural History Association. For more hike information, contact Laura Blatt at laurahikes@yahoo.com or Bob Long at goyoung55@yahoo.com.

The two backpacking sites at Merganser Pond within Hood Mountain Regional Park are now open to the public and can be reserved through the Regional Parks main office.  All the amenities, food lockers, porta-potty, and picnic tables are in place.  The sites are also listed on-line, along with five other campgrounds, at www.sonomacountyparks.org/camping.  Currently you’ll need to call the main office to reserve them and then pick up your permit at Spring Lake Park. Reservations can be made Monday – Friday, 10am – 3pm by calling 707-565-2267. The current policy is going to be camping by reservation only but Regional Parks will be looking for feedback and may be open to changing the policy after a trial period. Reservations must be made 10 days in advance of your arrival date. 

I continue to lead “Hike & Taste in the Vineyards” for Kunde Estate Winery & Vineyards in Kenwood.  Visit http://www.kunde.com for details.  The next hike is December 17 and the cost is $30 per person.  Don’t miss this unique opportunity to hike through the 1,850 acre volcanic and vertical Kunde property while tasting the wine they produce.

Bill Myers

Kenwood

833-6288