Friday, October 13, 2023
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Sunday, October 15, 2023

Pescadero - Memorial County Park

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Note that children 14 and over are welcome on V-O-Cal projects. Volunteers under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Project Background and Description

After trailwork, relax by the creek, see the largest tree, take an Art Break (details below), take a 20 minute drive to the beach and tidepools, or visit the Pescadero Marsh to see migrating birds and an incredibly biodiverse ecosystem. You won't want to miss it! A full list of suggested activities in the area (including an Apple Fest on Sunday) are below. Note that there is limited cell phone reception in the park but free WiFi at Memorial County Park’s Visitor Center; its a 15 minute walk away.
Join us for a weekend of camping and trailwork in the beautiful redwoods of San Mateo County. We will be establishing a 1/2 mile of social trail into an official trail, making a loop that connects with Wurr Flat Group Campground. This includes widening to a 48" tread in some places, redefining and/or creating drain dips, and lots of French Broom removal. If time we will also improve the already established and mapped Wurr Trail.
More info about:
Pescadero - Memorial County Park
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Project Pictures

Help recruit more volunteers! Download the project flyer here

Project Flyer

Camp

Camping will be at Wurr Flat Group Campground 1 & 2.Because it is a group campground, sites are not numbered and there is no map that specifies sites. You can camp anywhere that is not a road in either 1 or 2. Arrive by 9:00 pm at the latest. Be respectful of other campers and keep voices down and flashlights low if you arrive after 8:00 pm. Center camp will be at the picnic table area in Wurr Flat 2. Kitchen and Common Area will be where the picnic tables are in Wurr Flat 2. No tents, please.

Driving Directions

Please note that 101 North Bound between San Carlos and Redwood City will be closed at 10pm Friday the 13th through 10am Monday October 16th. You can find more information about the closure and alternate routes here: Cordilleras Creek Project.

Additionally, though this won't affect you if you are arriving Friday evening or Saturday/Sunday morning, Half Moon Bay's Pumpkin Fest is also this weekend, which means lots of traffic on Highway 1 and 92 near HMB in the afternoons. 84 is a good alternative.

From the West:

  • Turn onto Pescadero Creek Road from Highway 1.
  • Drive past the Memorial County Park entrance.
  • Turn right on Wurr Road.
  • Turn right into the campground (a dirt path).

From the East:

  • Turn onto Pescadero Creek Road from Highway 84.
  • Turn left on Wurr Road.
  • (if you see Memorial County Park main entrance,
  • you’ve gone too far west)
  • Turn right into the campground (a dirt path).
Map Link

Carpool/Parking Information

Parking is available at the campground. There is enough room for about 55 cars. If parking is full, you can drop your stuff off and then park along Wurr Road.

Level of Effort

Project Fact Sheet

Fact Sheet
If a parking pass is required at the project site, it will be included with the fact sheet.

Project Schedule

Friday
5:00pm - Registration and camping open. DINNER IS NOT PROVIDED.

Saturday7:30am - 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.
3:30 pm – Stop work and return to camp. Clean and store tools.
4:00 pm – Snacks, cold drinks and beer.
6:00 pm – Dinner. 

Sunday7:30am - Registration and lunch packing begin. Hot breakfast is served.
8:30 am – Morning greeting, announcements, stretching and safety talk.
9:00 am – Project begins.
1:30pm - Stop work, clean tools, load tools into boxes and return to camp.

Things to Do Before or After the Project

Friday Only

Stargazing for Peace

  • Friday October 13, 7pm-10pm at the Pigeon Point Lighthouse
  • Come celebrate the beauty of dark skies at Pigeon Point! At 7:00pm, join us for a fascinating talk in the Pigeon Point Hostel on "The Importance and Wonder of Dark Skies."
  • Following the talk, the Santa Cruz Astronomy Club will set up telescopes and help visitors stargaze off the Pacific Coast and the Fog Signal Building will be open to see the Fresnel lens light up the room.
  • Stargazing may be canceled in case of heavy of fog and rain. The Dark Skies talk and Fog Signal Building will be open regardless.
  • Please remember to dress warmly and in layers. It can be chilly at night. No flash photography or flashlights. Red-beamed flashlights are fine. Feel free to bring folding chairs, blankets, and hot beverages to stay warm while stargazing.

Saturday Only

Art Break After Trail Work on Saturday

  • Taylor Seamount uses art to find hope and meaning amid the climate crisis. They will be documenting the trail work through plein air painting and providing supplies after the workday on Saturday for volunteers to unwind and connect with nature through art.

Sunday Only

Apple Fest

All Weekend

Food/Drink

Beaches/Marsh

  • Pescadero Marsh - Rich in biodiversity, the Pescadero Marsh is at least 6 ecosystems in one. In the fall, tons of migrating birds can be seen soaring across the sky.
  • Bean Hollow State Beach - Hike along the bluffs, visit Pebble Beach, tidepool, and/or spend time on the south beach. It’s the only beach that allows dogs.  
  • Año Nuevo State Park - You may be able to catch some juvenile elephant seals getting some beach time as a part of their early development. Ano Nuevo has a rich geological history and biodiversity.
  • Pigeon Point Lighthouse and Hostel - 115ft tall, the Pigeon Point Lighthouse is a landmark on the central coast. Just north of the lighthouse off of Pigeon Point Road, there are some great tidepooling spots. Great place to watch for migrating humpback whales. It’s also a hostel.

Tidepooling (At Bean Hollow or Pigeon Point)

  • Friday: Low Tide 0.82 ft at 4:27pm
  • Saturday: Low Tide 0.46 at 4:59pm
  • Sunday: Low Tide 0.16 at 5:33pm

Redwood Parks

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What to Bring and Wear

For your safety and protection from hazards, please be prepared with the following items:
  • 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.
If you are camping, you will also need the following items: 
  • 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

V-O-Cal provides all meals for volunteers from breakfast Saturday through lunch Sunday. Vegetarian options are available for all meals. (Please note that dinner is not provided on Friday.)
  • 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 Please plan for sun protection, including sun hats, sun block and light long sleeve shirts. Please bring water bottles or a water bladder large enough to hold at least 2 liters of water. Drink plenty of water throughout the work day. If you feel tired or weak, let your crew leader know, and take a break.

POISON OAK There are limited areas of poison oak. Have your crew leader point some out to you if you don’t know what it looks like. “Bunny suits” will be provided for those who need extra protection. 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.

TICKS | MOSQUITOES | YELLOW JACKETS Ticks are always a hazard so it is important to check during and after the project. Bring bug repellent for mosquitoes or wear thick clothing. Stay calm around yellow jackets. Most will leave us alone. Crew leaders have first aid kits to help in case of bites/stings.

SNAKES Rattlesnakes can be present but likely will be scared away by the large number of volunteers. If you see one, tell your crew leader, and wait until it leaves the area before proceeding.

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 Kayla Marie Figard
  • Technical Lead Francesca Verdier‍
  • Camp Operations Kim Applequist
  • Kitchen Lead Xavier Andrade
  • Crew Leader Manager Lauren Blanchard
  • Registration Augusta Murphy
  • Outreach Kayla Marie Figard | Lily Brady | Melinda Greene
  • Tools Cavine Johnson | Anka Karewicz
  • ‍Food Shopping & Prep Cathy Moyer | Chris Fishel
  • Warehouse Load | Truck Driver Duane Sheets
  • Stretching Darren Heiber (Saturday) | Duane Sheets (Sunday)
  • Artist in Residence Taylor Seamount

Agency Partner

San Mateo County

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.

Additional thanks to our In Kind Sponsors for this Project

Blue House Farm | Highway 1 Brewing Company | Buenos Recuerdos Orchard | Connoisseur Coffee | Tecnu | REI | Sidley Austin | Metro Mobile Communications | Adventure Medical Kits | Clif Bar | SnapTech IT | Californica

Help recruit more volunteers! Download the project flyer here

Project Flyer

Other Upcoming Projects

May 17, 2024
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May 19, 2024

Fernandez Ranch

V-O-Cal is set to continue enhancing the trails at the stunning 1185-acre Fernandez Ranch, a part of the John Muir Land Trust which encompasses the area formerly known as "Franklin Canyon". Fernandez Ranch boasts over 10 miles of multi-use trails, offering vital links to the Bay Area Ridge Trail and the San Francisco Bay Trail. The ranch serves as a habitat for an array of wildlife, including deer, coyotes, woodrats, American badgers, the endangered Alameda whipsnake and California red-legged frogs, numerous species of songbirds, woodpeckers, raptors, and (occasionally) mountain lions.

September 13, 2024
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September 15, 2024

Memorial County Park 2024

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