Lynch Canyon Open Space
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Project Pictures
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Project FlyerCamp
Driving Directions
From San Francisco, Oakland and other locations near the Bay:
- Take Hwy 80 to Follow I-80 E to American Canyon Road in Vallejo
- Take exit 36 from I-80 E, turn right on American Canyon Road
- Make an immediate left onto McGary Road
- Go 1.5 miles then turn left onto Lynch Road
- Go under the freeway to the park gate
From Walnut Creek or Livermore:
- Take 680 N to 780 W
- Go 6 miles to Exit 1B
- Merge onto I-80 E and then follow the directions above
Carpool/Parking Information
Level of Effort
Project Fact Sheet
Fact SheetProject Schedule
Friday
5:00pm - Registration and camping open. DINNER IS NOT PROVIDED.
Saturday (6:45 am - 8 am - Arrive at Lynch Canyon)
7:30am - Registration, light breakfast, and lunch packing begin at Center Camp.
8:30 am – Morning greeting, announcements, stretching and safety talk.
9:00 am – Project begins.
12:30pm - Break for lunch on trail.
3:00 pm – Trail work ends. Head back to camp. Clean and store tools.
4:00 pm – Drinks, appetizers, pool party and socializing. Solar showers available.
5:45 pm – Dinner and entertainment.
Sunday
7:30am - Registration and lunch packing begin. Hot breakfast is served.
8:30 am – Morning greeting, announcements, stretching and safety talk. Project begins.
11:30am - Break for lunch on trail.
12:30pm - Head back to camp, clean tools, pack gear and truck.
Things to Do Before or After the Project
What to Bring and Wear
- Sturdy shoes or boots with good tread. Ankle support will be important where we are building new trails. Sandals and open-toed shoes will not be permitted
- Water bottles or a water bladder that can hold at least 2 liters of water. (You will not be allowed on the trail without water.)
- Day pack to carry your water and lunch.
- Work gloves. (If you don’t have your own gloves, V-O-Cal will provide them. Please return them at the end of the project.)
- V-O-Cal provides all necessary tools, as well as training on tool use and safety.
- Sunglasses, hat and sunscreen.
- Insect repellent and allergy medicine (if you normally need these things when working outdoors).
- Reusable plate/bowl, eating utensils, and mug/cup.
- A change of clothes for each work day and for lounging at camp to minimize the spread of poison oak.
- Please come prepared for a variety of weather conditions (think layers!). Unless there is a serious storm predicted, we will work drizzle or shine.
- A tent (if you have the option to bring a smaller tent, please do!)
- A sleeping bag, sleeping pad and pillow.
- A flashlight or headlamp.
- A camp chair (if you don't want to sit on the ground).
- Other camping gear that makes you comfortable
Meals
- To minimize waste we ask that you bring your own reusable plates, coffee mug, cups and utensils. Hot water and soap are provided.
- A continental breakfast is served Saturday morning.
- Lunch is prepared before hitting the trail. You break for lunch on the trail around 12:30pm.
- Please arrive at camp by 7:40am to register, eat breakfast and prepare your lunch.
- Appetizers and beverages will be available after the work day on Saturday, usually around 4pm. Dinner will follow, usually around 5:30pm.
- Hot breakfast is served Sunday morning.
Hazards
SUN EXPOSURE | HYDRATION | HYPOTHERMIA Weather can vary, so bring layers, rain gear, sun hat and sunscreen to be prepared. Carry and drink lots of water on the trail. It may also be a little wet and chilly! If you feel tired or weak, let your crew leader know and take a break.
POISON OAK There is a risk of exposure to poison oak at the work site. Have your crew leader point some out to you if you don’t know what it looks like. Clean with Tecnu (which V-O-Cal provides) after the work day, and be cautious when handling your dirty clothes. Always wear gloves when handling tools.
MOSQUITOES | TICKS Mosquitoes are active this time of year so bug spray and long sleeved, lightweight shirts are recommended. Ticks are always a hazard; light colored clothing makes them easier to spot when you check during and after the project
SNAKES Snakes are present on the property. Use caution when walking the trails and when picking items up off the ground.
SHARP TOOLS Please listen to your crew leader’s tool safety talk and observe proper tool use throughout the day.
Volunteer Project Team
- V-O-Cal Executive Director Cathy Moyer
- Project Team Lead Morris Older
- Technical Advisor Joe Cavaness
- Crew Leader Manager Dmitry Nechayev
- Food Shopping & Prep Cathy Moyer | Chris Fishel
- Kitchen | Chef Art Liu
- Outreach Morris Older | Lily Brady
- Camp Operations Francesca Verdier | Marlon Tamr
- Warehouse Load | Truck Driver Curt Hutchings
- Registration Melanie Lee | Ellen Holbrook
Agency Partners
Solano Land Trust
Project Sponsors
Season Sponsor
Special Thanks to Bay Area Barns and Trails for their generous grant supporting the 2023 V-O-Cal Project Season. BABT assists landowners and land managers with preservation and maintenance of publicly accessible Bay Area barns, stables, pastures, staging areas, horse camps, and trails.