New Year at Joshua Tree NP, Point Lobos SNR and Big Sur, w/moderate hikes

6554 Park Blvd,Joshua Tree CA 92252

30 December, 2022

Description

Let's celebrate the New Year of 2023 by hiking among iconic Joshua Trees of California and visiting and hiking at Big Sur. We will road-trip from South Bay, and as this is quite a lengthy trip, on the ways back we need to stay overnight at Monterey after day-hiking and experiencing the beautiful Point Lobos and Big Sur. Winter weather in in South California is still warm with day average temperatures 60 degree F and above with possible precipitation, and winds at the ocean. See updates of weather forecasts at: https://bit.ly/3lyWGw7 Trip's summary: 5days/4nights trip for a small group of 6 explorers.The starting and ending point is South Bay (one or two pick-up locations, one can be Diridon station at San Jose.)Hotel accommodations in Los Angeles, CA (Four Points), Joshua Tree, CA (High Desert Motel), Bakersfield, CA (Super 8), Monterey, CA (Travelodge). All locations in this event follow safety requirements by the state.Level of activities: Easy to Intermediate.Clothes and gear recommended: good hiking shoes,warm jacket for evenings, be ready to layer up,hiking poles if you used to them,day backpack, consider hydration bladder for hikes, sunglasses, sunscreen, hat, for personal protection: mask, carry-on sanitizer, gloves (by your choice.)Cost $550. What's included: 5days/4nights stay in 2-people occupancy non-smoking room (two beds in room),Transportation by minivan (like Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Grand, Ford Transit or similar) covering approx. 1000 mi of road-tripping total, Park entrance fee, Organized hikes in all days.What is NOT included: Meals, snacks, water.Sunrise: 6:50am. Sunset: 4:45pm. Every day we want to start off from the hotel at 7 am or 7:30am, or as the latest. If you are a night owl, please try to adjust yourself for an earlier getup during the trip - the purpose of it is to use more of daylight at wintertime for activities. There will be a Zoom meeting on this trip and a WhatsApp group chat will be formed for the group to communicate and prepare for the trip. Please be available to be connected by WhatsApp (provide the organizer with your WhatsApp contact info to be included in the group.) Sign up and feel free to comment/message with any questions! UPD. Photo-album from the previous trip with with a similar activities, Point Lobos: https://www.meetup.com/u-s-national-parks-quest-group/photos/32995387/