Mommy & Me HikeHit the trail with your little, adventuring in nature and building community with other parents. The hikes will range between 2-4 miles, will be appropriate for the season (shaded/exposed, etc.)
The group meets at 9:30 a.m. on Saturdays for all hikes unless otherwise noted, like Black Friday. "Mommy" is meant to be all-inclusive and universal. We've had outings with dads and grandparents; if you're caring for a child, you are welcome. Older siblings are also invited to join, too. The pass covers one family, including a relative or two. If you have many relatives visiting, please purchase additional passes as needed. Instructor: Miranda Note: Miranda is CPR certified, carries a first aid kit that’s baby/toddler specific, and has extra hiking poles, a front-facing baby carrier and a jogging stroller for participants to use. SIGN UP THROUGH BLOSSOM AND RECEIVE A $10 OFF FROM OUR LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP. Please email front desk to claim the code blossom@blossombirthandfamily.org Dec. 4 - The San Andreas Fault Splits this Otherwise Tranquil Preserve in Los Trancos This is one of those hidden gems nestled between Foothills and Monte Bello. Almost entirely shaded, except for a few stretches of sun in the beginning and the middle, it’s home to a quiet forest of oaks, madrone, Douglas firs, Steller’s Jay and mule deer, and so much more! The San Andreas Fault, one of the world's longest and most active faults, also splits the preserve, and will learn about some of the geologic findings by a local professor and his students. Difficulty: Easy Distance: 2.4 miles Elevation gain: 320 ft. Est. calorie burn: 340 calories (at least, the apps can't figure in the weight we carry!) Kid-friendly features: Story time, simple art project, exploring and playing in the dirt at our picnic spot Bring: Blanket for picnic, hat and Thanksgiving leftovers Sun? Mostly shaded Stroller-friendly except for some steps plus a few sharp descents (not suitable for double strollers) Bathrooms: No (but a few minutes drive away at Monte Bello park) Parking: Yes Drive: 25-30 minutes from Mountain View Meeting point (Los Trancos Roadside on Google): https://goo.gl/maps/eNs7qNbAZhCEBnsZ8 Dec. 11 Oceanic Sandstone, a 1,700-Year-Old Redwood and a Memorial A 3-mile hike to sandstone formed when this preserve was under the ocean (!), a 1,700-year-old Redwood, and the site of a tragic plane crash in the 1950s. We'll picnic and I'll do story time. For those who are interested, we will stop afterward at iconic Alice's Restaurant for a snack. The kids can play on the lawn there and in the water fountain. Difficulty: Easy Distance: 3 miles Elevation gain: 500 ft. Kid-friendly features: Exploring and playing in the dirt at our picnic spot, story time. Water play at Alice’s Sun? Partly exposed Bring: Blanket for picnic, lunch, hat/sunscreen Stroller friendly Bathrooms: No (but at main parking lot a mile down the road) Parking: Yes Drive: 35 minutes from Mountain View Meeting point: CM02 on this map or input Methusaleh tree into Google maps Dec. 18 Newborn Elephant Seal Pups, Mating Battles in Año Nuevo We live in such an amazing corner of the planet! From December through March, northern elephant seals come ashore in Año Nuevo to give birth and mate. Bull seals engage in battles to establish dominance and for breeding access to females. Elephant seals can make sea lions seem tame. Once an endangered species, elephant seals number around 200,000. I am working with the state park service to see if we can get a guided tour for our visit. The only way to see elephant seals during this time of the year is on a guided hike, which usually lasts about 2 hours and can be 3-4 miles long. I’ll try to get ours to be little-kid specific (shorter tour). There is a a lot of great information on the California State Parks website. Afterward, those who are interested can go to the lovely town of Pescadero, which is home to an incredible woodworking shop (Made in Pescadero), a 130-year-old tavern serving delicious food (some grown in their garden, Duarte’s) or buy artichoke bread at Arcangeli’s. This is another must, must see! Please RSVP by Oct. 29 so I can give the state parks a headcount. Difficulty: Easy Distance: 3-4 miles (will finalize with state parks) Elevation gain: To be determined Kid-friendly features: Animals! Sounds, sand and fun Sun? Exposed Bring: Snacks, hat/sunscreen (Parks ask that you don’t bring umbrellas or food, and strollers can only be used for about the first mile) Stroller friendly Bathrooms: Yes Parking: Yes Drive: 70-80 minutes Meeting point: https://goo.gl/maps/Cton8JjD9BzNfw1x8 State parks entry fee: $10 Jan 8 A New Year in Muir Woods: Taking a Lesser Traveled Route to the Giants No one wants to fuss with parking and reserving a shuttle to Muir Woods. Years ago, I found a back way in that does require some hiking. We’ll start with a panoramic view of Muir Woods and then head down into the forest. The trails are narrow with some hairpin turns so I do not recommend strollers, front-facing carriers or backpack carriers are the best. Difficulty: Moderate Distance: 3.8 miles Elevation gain: 735 ft. Kid-friendly features: Exploring the Redwoods and playing in the dirt Sun? Partly exposed Bring: Blanket for picnic, lunch, hat/sunscreen Strollers not recommended Bathrooms: No (at main park entrance) Parking: Yes Drive: 35 minutes from Mountain View Meeting point: https://goo.gl/maps/dmNDZPevpoPRKSYr7 PLEASE NOTE: If we need to switch to another trail, the alternate is nearby Tennessee Valley, where a 2-mile hike takes you to an incredible beach (R/T 4 miles). What to expect:
We'll stop mid-hike, or at the end of it, for a picnic, chat and check-ins. Kid-friendly features include story time, simple art projects like sunprints and flower press kits, and water play, where available. In addition to exercise, the group is meant to provide a support space (especially for new parents or soon-to-be parents) where you can ask questions about — or commiserate and celebrate — the parenting journey. I'll offer a short mindfulness practice at the beginning of our hike and encourage you to set goals, such as training for hiking or walking competitions, as well as for self-care. Any updates to this schedule will be shared in the Mommy & Me Hiking WhatsApp chat, on the Facebook page and website.
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