California Dreaming: Redwoods, Beaches and Service

The Trip

Located less than three hours north of San Francisco and tucked into the beautiful Anderson Valley is Hendy Woods, one of the gems of the California State Park system. For several thousand years, this area was inhabited and managed by the Tabahtea Pomo people, who lived along the nōba'da-bida, now known as the Navarro River. Today’s park features two groves of towering old-growth redwoods that were saved from logging by community activists over the last century; camping in fern-filled sites under these giants will be a memory not soon forgotten.

We’ll spend four days working with knowledgeable park rangers (on projects that have yet to be determined). In between work days we have scheduled two days off from our service work. On one of these days we’ll explore the water world of this part of California with a guided kayak trip along the Mendocino coast -- sea caves, otters, seals, and abundant bird life are expected. Our other day off has been designed as an independent exploration day, when you can choose from two options. You can head to the spectacular California coastline at Mendocino (40 minutes away) for beach-combing, tide-pooling, or meandering around Mendocino and its galleries filled with local art. Or you can follow your nose around Anderson Valley, checking out towns like Boonville (where locals once spoke a language called "Boontling"), the gorgeous Navarro River, local hikes, and/or dozens of wineries and other artisan food providers (goat cheese, cider). The leaders will have suggestions for things to do on this day, or you are welcome to join them!

The Project

The exact nature of our service work will not be determined until the end of February as Park personnel assess priorities. We will be working with them, doing a variety of projects to maintain and improve the park. Projects may include trail maintenance, invasive vegetation removal, and improving Park infrastructure.

All activities are subject to change due to weather and other considerations. 

Day 1: The trip begins on Saturday afternoon at Hendy Woods campground. We will set up camp together in the campground, enjoy a simple dinner, and get to know one another. Directions and meeting details will be provided to participants. 

Days 2-7: During our week in Hendy Woods, we will spend four days in service activities, determined in consultation with state park staff. We will have two non-work days. One of our non-work days will be devoted to a group activity -- sea kayaking -- organized through a local concessionaire. The second non-work day enables participants to explore the local area. 

Day 8: The last day of the outing will include a hearty breakfast, and an opportunity to discuss our experiences in this beautiful setting, before we break camp and head home.

Getting There

Participants are responsible for their own transportation to Hendy Woods State Park. Plan on arriving at the park by 4 p.m. on day one. The nearest major airports are Oakland International Airport and San Francisco International Airport. Hendy Woods SP is approximately 130 miles north of San Francisco. We encourage participants to coordinate travel plans. The leader will help facilitate this by distributing a participant roster and driving directions well in advance.

Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leader.

Accommodations and Food

We will be tent camping in Hendy Woods State Park, which is a California state park known for its old growth redwoods. There are bathrooms and pay showers. Mornings may be cool and damp because of fog and proximity to the ocean.

All meals and plenty of snacks will be provided from dinner the first night to breakfast the last day. Come with the attitude that food is part of the adventure. Trip menu planning considers that there will be no refrigeration other than coolers with ice, and that food must be protected from animals. All cooking is done on 2 double-burner propane stoves. We provide healthy, nutritious, vegetarian-friendly meals. We have a group commissary with everyone taking turns in food preparation and clean-up afterward. 

Before final acceptance as a trip participant, persons with food allergies or special dietary requirements will be required to check with the trip’s cook to determine whether accommodations are possible.

Trip Difficulty

All service trips are considered to be moderately strenuous. However, our work will involve only light-duty hand tools and there will be a variety of tasks to suit each person’s abilities. We'll each work at our own pace. Health and safety is a very high priority, and you are the best judge of your abilities.

Equipment and Clothing

The Park Service will provide the tools for the work project. In addition to your regular camping gear, come prepared to work with sturdy boots, long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and leather work gloves. You will need a day pack to carry your lunch, water, raingear, sunscreen, etc. You will need hiking boots while we are working on the project, although we don't anticipate needing to hike far to get to the work sites.

The Sierra Club will provide food and cooking equipment, but you will need to bring:

• a hard plastic container for lunch, with enough space/compartments to hold (for example) a sandwich, fruit, nuts/cookies
• at least two one-quart water bottles
• a cup
• a plate
• a bowl
• cutlery 

In early spring, warm, clear days are plentiful, but some rain is likely this time of year. Temperatures typically range into the 60s during the day, but can drop to the high 30s at night. A good rain parka and rain pants are a must. Participants must have three-season clothing, a tent with a rain fly, and a warm sleeping bag.

We will provide a first-aid kit for emergencies, but you should bring Moleskin, band aids, and Tylenol (or the like) for dealing with the little aggravations of life, as well as any personal medications you require. Please do not forget that all participants must have a current tetanus shot within the past 10 years. This injection is most commonly available from your doctor or at your local public health department for a modest cost.

A full list of needed equipment will be sent to you after you've been accepted onto the trip. If you have questions, please contact the trip leader. 

References

Websites:

• Anderson Valley: https://visitmendocino.com/location/anderson-valley/
• Anderson Valley Historical Society: http://www.andersonvalleymuseum.org/history.html
• Boontling: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boontling 

Books:

• Brown, Vinson and Douglas Andrews, The Pomo Indians of California and Their Neighbors.
• Adams, Charles, Boontling an American Lingo.

Conservation

Your leaders are volunteers with a long-term dedication to the Sierra Club, conservation, and enjoyment of the outdoors. While on the trip, please don’t hesitate to ask your leaders about any conservation concerns that you may have. We look forward to having you share conservation challenges and successes from your home area.

We will practice Leave No Trace principles on our outings and hikes. We will follow good environmental practices by bringing our own reusable lunch containers and avoiding bottled water in favor of refillable water bottles.

Since any travel leaves a carbon footprint, check out the information that the Sierra Club offers about carbon offsets: http://content.sierraclub.org/outings/national/carbon-offsets

Since its founding in 1892, The Sierra Club has worked to preserve and restore the natural environment we all share on this planet. Thousands of grassroots-level volunteers spearhead our efforts to conserve and sustain resources, both in our own backyards and on a global scale. Through direct experience in the outdoors, Sierra Club outings enable participants to better understand, advocate, and participate in the environmental conservation goals of the Club.

Service outings, in particular, stand out as one of the Sierra Club’s most important “boots on the ground” conservation efforts. The work done by service trip participants in our nation’s public lands is a way of practicing conservation in the most direct way possible, whether it’s improving access while preserving wilderness values, restoring wildlife habitat, or repairing human-caused damage to a natural area. Service trips are a great way to pitch in and do something tangible to make the world a better place; they’re a way to go beyond just talking about conservation; a way to get out there and experience conservation with your whole being.

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal-opportunity provider and when applicable will operate under permits obtained from U.S. federal land agencies.