Friday, August 11, 2023
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Sunday, August 13, 2023

Coyote Lake - Harvey Bear Ranch

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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

Although the State Parks system has postponed our Angel Island trail work, you can still join us the same weekend for an exciting new project at Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park in Santa Clara County. We'll be working on the Lakeside Trail, a one mile shady section that is wedged between the road and the Coyote Creek that feeds the reservoir.
          
A short, flat ¼ mile walk from the campground, the work will be on all parts of the trail. We'll be repairing some areas that get impacted by road runoff, river impacts and neglect. Work will consist of some rock work and small reroutes. Designated as a hiking only trail. Please note that there is no cell service on the trail but free Wi-Fi (SCC_GUEST) is available at camp.
More about what it is like to volunteer on a project:
Volunteer

Project Pictures

Help recruit more volunteers! Download the project flyer here

Project Flyer

Camp

Center Camp will be set up at campsites 55 and 65.The kitchen will be set up in Campsite 55 with plenty of shade with parts of Campsite 65 will be used as the common areas. For those staying overnight, camping will be available on Friday and Saturday nights in campsites 56-59, 61-64, 66, 68, 70-72 with a maximum of 8 people per site and 2 cars in each. 2 RV sites, 10RV & 12RV are also available in the RV area just before the main campsite. Please note that we'll need to fit as many tents into each campsite, so if you have the option to bring a smaller tent, please do. A map of the campground is attached for reference. There won’t be a gear shuttle, you can drop off your gear at whatever campsite you are sharing and then park in the RV site or overflow lot.

Driving Directions

From the North 

  1. Take 101 south to the Masten Ave exit 
  2. Turn left onto Masten Ave, right onto Center Ave  
  3. Left onto Rucker Ave 
  4. Right onto New Ave  
  5. Left onto Roop Road  
  6. Left into the park entrance on Coyote Lake Road
  7. Go past the Mendoza entrance to the Harvey Bear entrance and proceed to the kiosk
  8. Proceed to the Lakeview Campgrounds on the right side just after the RV campsites

From the South

  1. Take 101 north to exit 357 for Leavesley Road/CA-152 W.  Turn right onto Leavesley Road  
  2. Left onto New Ave  
  3. Right onto Roop Road  
  4. Left to stay on Roop Road and then left into the park  entrance on Coyote Lake Road 
  5. Go past the Mendoza entrance to the Harvey Bear entrance  and proceed to the kiosk  
  6. Proceed to the Lakeview Campgrounds on the right side just  after the RV campsites.
Map Link

Carpool/Parking Information

The Fact Sheet contains a parking pass which should be visibly placed on your dash. For those that are not staying the night, there is parking at the RV overflow parking as well as by the kiosk if parking at campsites is full.

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.

Saturday
7:30am - Registration, light breakfast, and lunch packing begin at Center Camp.
8:30 am – Morning greeting, announcements, stretching and safety talk.  Project begins.
12:30pm - Break for lunch on trail.
3:30 pm – Trail work ends. Head back to camp. Clean and store tools.
4:00 pm – Drinks, appetizers and socializing. REAL showers available.
6:00 pm – Dinner

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.
1:30pm - Head back to camp, clean tools, pack gear and truck.

Things to Do Before or After the Project

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 Most of the work areas are fully shaded. However, 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 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 we provide) after the work day and be cautious when handling your dirty clothes.

MOSQUITOES | TICKS Mosquitoes could be 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, especially when picking items up off the ground or moving rocks

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 Duane Sheets
  • Technical Advisor Rudi Boekamp
  • Tool Managers Jared Rodgers
  • Crew Leader Manager Tomomi Yuasa
  • Food Shopping & Prep Cathy Moyer | Chris Fishel
  • Kitchen | Chef Kim Appelquist
  • Outreach Lily Brady | Melinda Green
  • Camp Operations Clara and Grace Chan
  • Warehouse Load | Truck Driver Duane Sheets
  • Registration Kim Appelquist
  • Stretching Melinda Sullivan

Agency Partners

Santa Clara County Parks

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.

Help recruit more volunteers! Download the project flyer here

Project Flyer

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