What we’re about
Welcome to our Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Jose hiking and friendship group. Make friends and sweat 💦😅😋😊👍.
We offer an array of outdoor activities, with a focus on moderate to challenging hikes. Our hikes are also a place to learn some of the natural history of our area. Some hikes will go slowly enough to identify and photograph plants and mushrooms, and the occasional newt or bird (or mammal, of course). Other hikes are more focused on getting a good workout in a beautiful environment, in the company of other pleasant people. Most of our hikes are a mix of the two. Please be compassionate and mindful of everyone during our hikes.
We also sponsor a smaller number of indoor activities, be it (optionally) getting together at a pub or restaurant after a hike, or our monthly, roving trivia night. We sometimes refer to these events, affectionately and mirthfully, as "Connect Indoors".
Please join us!
Upcoming events (3)
See all- Byrne-Milliron Forest, New & Improved! 4-6 milesByrne-Milliron Forest, Corralitos, CA
Byrne-Milliron recently reopened after a year of sustainable timber harvest and other renovation. Enjoy this gorgeous (re-opened) open space hiking area, with well maintained trails, and a mixed forest with impressive redwoods and beautiful views.
Note: Just tor thrills, I tested the option “Generate AI description for your event” and included it below. Ok, maybe it’s not about to take over…Registration with the Land Trust is now required for this hike:
Jump directly to registration.Nuts and bolts:
- Hike departs at 10:45am
- 4 — 6 miles, ~1,500’ TEG
- 250’ tall, 1,000yo Redwood
- Dog friendly for friendly dogs
- Come for the redwoods, stay for the thimbleberries.
- Byrne-Milliron info & registration.
“The Byrne portion of the property became a part of the Land Trust in 1984, and Milliron (pronounced just as the two separate words ‘mill’ and ‘iron’) in 2008. Located in Corralitos, the forest is a lovely place to hike and explore, with panoramic views of the Pajaro Valley and Monterey Bay.”
Parking is usually not a problem, but carpooling is still highly recommended.
Afterwards, you are welcome to join us for beer or a bite to eat at Beer Mule in Watsonville. Here is a Map to Beer Mule.
NOTE ON DIRECTIONS: The left turn off of Browns Valley Road is hard to spot. Watch for the "Roses of Yesterday" sign on the right side of the road as a marker — I put an image of it here, in Photos. The sign was there last year and Google says the business is still there, so hopefully it is not a "Roadsigns of Yesterday"! (See all images from a 2022 trip here.)
AI Turing Test This is what the Meetup AI suggested I use as this event’s description. Wow, I can use this for all our events, what a time saver!
Begin AI:
“Join Connect Outdoors for an evening of Adventure Trivia under the stars. Test your knowledge on wilderness hiking, outdoor adventures, and science while surrounded by nature. Pack your camping gear and get ready for a night filled with fun and camaraderie. Whether you are a seasoned hiker or a camping enthusiast, this event is perfect for anyone looking to connect with like-minded individuals who share a passion for the outdoors. Team up with fellow adventurers to tackle various trivia questions, enjoy wellness activities, and embrace the beauty of the wilderness. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to blend adventure, culture, and knowledge in a thrilling outdoor setting.”
End AI.Begin Legalese:
Legal Disclaimer: The organizers and hosts in this group are not professional guides, and each person who signs up for a trip/meetup/ or outing is responsible for his or her own safety and the safety of his or her guests and property. By signing up for a hike, or any other event organized by this group, you are acknowledging that you are aware and have made your guests aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with any outdoor activity and freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards, and further agree to release and discharge the organizer, assistant organizers, event organizers and event hosts of this Meetup group from and against any and all liability arising from your and your guest's participation in the group activities. These are always “Hike at your Own Risk” events. - Summer Solstice 8x8 - First 8 Mile Hike at Fall Creek, FeltonFall Creek unit, Henry Cowell redwoods state park, Felton, CA
Let's celebrate the longest day of the year! Friday, June 20, 2025
In celebration of the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year, join a group of happy hikers on two hikes, ~8 miles each, in two beautiful State Parks: Fall Creek Unit of Henry Cowell and Nisene Marks. Sign up for one or both, separately.First 8 Mile Hike at Fall Creek: We'll start the day at 8:00am with a trail that is a bit more than 8 miles in the beauty of Fall Creek. Our route is a fun but challenging hike with approximately 1500 ft total elevation gain (miles and elevation gain are estimates).
Our route on AllTrails. It's a lazy figure eight kind of route: Fall Creek Trail - Fall Creek South Fork - Cape Horn - Fall Creek - S-Cape - Ridge - Truck - Big Ben - Fall Creek - Fall Creek North Fork - Fall Creek Trail. Covered by the shade of the Redwoods, we get the most sun on Ridge & Truck Trail. We'll enjoy the peaceful sound of water for much of the hike.
Be prepared: Hiking shoes that you don't mind getting wet and have excellent tread are a must. Remember to bring plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen, and any other items you'll need on a hike of this distance and elevation gain.
Start and Finish Together: We hike at a quick pace of 2.5 to 2.8 miles per hour, pausing at all junctions and creek crossings to make sure the group stays together and no one gets left behind.
Parking: No fee for parking and no dogs allowed on these trails.
When we've returned to our starting point, we'll regroup in the parking lot before (hopefully) beating Friday traffic on Hwy 1 South to Nisene Marks for our second 8 mile hike! Sign up for Nisene Marks in a separate event.
Legal Disclaimer: The organizers and hosts in this group are not professional guides, and each person who signs up for a trip/meetup/ or outing is responsible for his or her own safety and the safety of his or her guests and property. By signing up for a night at the pub, or any other event organized by this group, you are acknowledging that you are aware and have made your guests aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with any social activity and freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards, and further agree to release and discharge the organizer, assistant organizers, event organizers and event hosts of this Meetup group from and against any and all liability arising from your and your guest's participation in the group activities. As always, this is a “Participate at your Own Risk” event.
- Summer Solstice 8x8 - Second 8 Mile Hike at Nisene Marks & Aptos St BBQPeet’s Coffee, Aptos, CA
Let's celebrate the longest day of the year! Friday, June 20, 2025
In celebration of the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year, join a group of happy hikers on two hikes, ~8 miles each, in two beautiful State Parks: Fall Creek Unit of Henry Cowell and Nisene Marks. Sign up for one or both, separately.Second 8 Mile Hike at Nisene Marks: Some may start with this hike and meet up with others who began the day at Fall Creek. We'll enjoy this 8 mile trail in the cool shade of the Forest of Nisene Marks and make our way to Maple Falls. After the hike, we will carry on the summer solstice celebration at nearby Aptos St BBQ.
This is the second of two 8-mile hikes. Starting from the Porter parking lot, this trail is around 8 miles, clockwise over Loma Prieta Grade down to Bridge Creek Trail that takes us to Maple Falls. We'll return by way of Bridge Creek Trail after a short break at Maple Falls. Our route on AllTrails. Distance, elevation gain, and time is an estimate. Please be flexible and allow around 4 hours hiking time.
Please note: the trail closer to Maple Falls includes some climbing and scrambling. Gloves come in very useful to make your way over, around and up different types of natural barriers. There are several smallish shallow creek crossings on this section.
Be prepared: Hiking shoes that you don't mind getting wet and have excellent tread are a must, along with gloves and clothing that will protect you from the ever-present poison oak. Remember to bring plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen, and any other items you'll need on a hike of this distance and elevation gain.
Start and Finish Together: following the first hike at Fall Creek, we'll regroup and gather at Peet's Coffee at 1:30PM to consolidate cars and carpool into the park. We hike at a quick pace of 2.5 to 2.8 miles per hour, pausing at all junctions and creek crossings to make sure the group stays together and no one gets left behind.
Parking: Porter parking lot is the furthest lot inside the park and parking may be limited at this time of day. We'll meet at Peet's to carpool into the park, departing by 1:30PM. State Park Pass or $10 per car required.
Dogs are not allowed on these trails.
Legal Disclaimer: The organizers and hosts in this group are not professional guides, and each person who signs up for a trip/meetup/ or outing is responsible for his or her own safety and the safety of his or her guests and property. By signing up for a night at the pub, or any other event organized by this group, you are acknowledging that you are aware and have made your guests aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with any social activity and freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards, and further agree to release and discharge the organizer, assistant organizers, event organizers and event hosts of this Meetup group from and against any and all liability arising from your and your guest's participation in the group activities. As always, this is a “Participate at your Own Risk” event.
