Backpacking Big Basin to Sea

ACTIVITIES: This is a backpacking trip starting at Big Basin State Park near the headquarters. On Saturday, we'll hike to our overnight camp. This portion of the hike has minimum elevation change and covers about 6-miles.
You'll see the Sequoia Semperivirens - the tallest living things in the world as we hike to Sunset campsite. On Sunday, we hike mainly downhill to Waddell Beach and we'll have a chance to see a couple of waterfalls.

For everyone: Meet at Bubb parking on Saturday at 7:30 a.m. We will drive to Big Basin State Park, arriving at about 9:30 am. The 6-mile hike should take about four hours, including lunch break and rest stops. We'll set up camp at Sunset Campground, which is reserved for us. There should be time in the afternoon for side hikes. On Sunday, we will hike down the Waddell Creek Trail to the Pacific Ocean at Waddell Beach.

About Big Basin SP: Big Basin Redwoods State Park is California's oldest State Park, established in 1902. Home to the largest continuous stand of ancient coast redwoods south of San Francisco, the park consists of over 18,000 acres of old growth and recovering redwood forest, with mixed conifer, oaks, chaparral, and riparian habitats. Elevations in the park vary from sea level to over 2,000 feet.

CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT: Backpack, sun protection, personal first aid kit with moleskin, flashlight, toiletries, utensils (plate or Sierra cup, k, f, s), two 1-quart water bottles. Bring a backpack cover or a large trash bag for rain and dew protection of your pack.
Bring warm clothes, including long pants and a warm sweater or jacket. Change of clothes, rain gear. Shorts are ok for hiking. Sleeping bag and pad.
You need hiking boots. Do not wear new hiking boots on this trip unless you have broken them in by a couple of days of regular use. Use a thin inner sock and a thick hiking sock outside for hiking. Bring a change of socks. You can rent backpacks from REI.

FOOD: Each Scout should bring a sack lunch for Saturday. Think lightweight. Food for Saturday supper and Sunday breakfast will be organized by patrols.

DRIVERS:

Saturday: Proceed to De Anza Blvd and head south towards Saratoga city. De Anza becomes Saratoga Sunnyvale Road which then becomes Hwy 9. If your riders are prone to car sickness, go past the first junction for Big Basin (Hwy 236) and head to Boulder Creek. Turn right at the grocery store and head up to Big Basin. Go to the parking lot at Park headquarters.

Sunday: Meet the hikers at the parking lot where Waddell Creek enters the ocean, on Hwy 1. Take 85 to 17 South and turn north at Highway 1 to Waddell Creek.

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