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The Trip

Join John Muir's great-grandson on a unique journey to Old California. This camping trip is designed for able-bodied nature (and Muir) enthusiasts, as well as for people needing an alternate mode of transportation to access the wilderness. Trip members are invited to hike or ride as much as they wish as we explore these wildflower-studded grasslands decorated with wonderfully gnarled ancient oaks. Learn Muir family history firsthand from a Muir descendant who has traveled thousands of miles by horse and wagon.

We will use a uniquely designed accessible wagon powered by a team of gentle draft horses. Discover a unique way of seeing the wilderness as our group of adventurers with varying abilities camps, hikes, and rides our wagon in the unspoiled hills and ancient oaks of Los Padres National Forest.

Our wagon will be driven by horseman Michael Muir, who has lived with multiple sclerosis since he was 15 years old. Despite the challenges of MS, Michael has maintained an extraordinarily active and adventurous lifestyle. In 2001, he led an international team of people driving horse-drawn carriages on a 3,000 mile, ten-month journey across America. Two years later, Michael reenacted John Muir's walk to the Gulf using his horse-drawn carriage.

Itinerary

Our trip begins at Mission San Antonio de Padua, the third California Mission and the only California Mission existing in its original undeveloped setting. The Mission is located near King City, California, approximately 175 miles south of San Francisco. This area was once a part of the vast estate of William Randolph Hearst and was sold to the U.S. Army in 1940. Under the protection of Hearst and the Army, the area has been preserved in its original glory, just as it was in the early days of California history.

Day 1: On the morning of the first day we will gather at the Mission, where we will load our gear onto a vehicle for transport to our base camp for the week. This first day everyone will ride in the wagon from the Mission to our campsite in Los Padres. We will arrive in the late afternoon in time to set up tents and settle in before dinner.

Days 2-4: We will have full days of exploring the area with visits to places such as the old Merle and Indian Ranches. This is wildflower season and even in a less than optimum year, this area's displays are a delight to behold. We will learn about the early California history of this area. On these days, trip members may hike or ride as much or as little as they wish and the pace will be leisurely.

Days 5-6: On Day 5, we will break camp and ride the wagon back to the Mission. Once there we will enjoy showers and shared room accommodations in the old Mission's retreat facilities. As we share breakfast the next morning, we will see the Mission transformed into the site of a traditional fiesta -- an annual event. The fiesta features demonstrations on weaving, tortilla making, and adobe brick making. The trip is officially over after breakfast, so participants may enjoy the music and food of the fiesta on their own.

Getting There

King City is approximately 145 miles south of the San Francisco International Airport and 110 miles south of the San Jose International Airport. Our meeting place at the Mission San Antonio de Padua is about 25 miles west of King City. Since the Mission is within the boundaries of Ft. Hunter, you will be passing through the Army’s main gate where you will be required to show a current driver’s license, vehicle registration or rental agreement and proof of insurance. Lodging is available in King City and on the Post.

Accommodations and Food

Amenities are limited in the backcountry, so expect the equivalent of primitive wilderness camping with some important exceptions such as our own "backcountry accessible" toilet. We strive to make this trip as accessible as possible and enjoy dreaming up more creative ways to make things work for our participants. We are happy to brainstorm with participants to discuss any unique accommodation needs, but a spirit of adventure is key.

All on-trip food will be provided. Sierra Club trips are designed to be a group experience rather than a guided tour, so everyone will participate in meal preparation and clean-up. Meals will be hearty and sustaining, but generally vegetarian. We will work with you to accommodate specific dietary requirements as much as possible given our wilderness setting. However, any dietary restrictions must be discussed in detail with the leader well in advance of the trip.

Trip Difficulty

This trip is designed to accommodate trip members with varying abilities. Trip members choosing wagon transportation may be riding up to six hours a day, but with frequent breaks. Hikers can choose to walk up to 10 miles in a day over varying terrain with grades of five to seven percent. On Days 1 and 5, everyone will ride in the wagon because of the increased distance and our passage through Ft. Hunter's government property. On Days 2-4, all participants can alternate between hiking and riding throughout the day.

Everyone will participate in camp chores. Weather and other wilderness conditions can make a trip more physically demanding. While the days may be sunny with temperatures in the 70s, nighttime temperatures this time of year can dip into the low 40s.

Trip members should be in reasonably good physical condition and be able to function independently or include a caregiver on the trip if that is the norm. To ensure your enjoyment and success, as well as the safety of the group, it is essential that you provide complete health information on your trip approval and medical forms. The trip leader will be in contact with you to discuss specific details of the outing after you apply.

Equipment and Clothing

You will need to bring your own quality waterproof tent, sleeping bag and pad, and multiple layers of appropriate outdoor clothing. Your leaders will provide you with a detailed equipment list prior to the trip and can discuss the recommendations with you to help you prioritize any purchases you may need to make. Good raingear, broken-in footwear, and warm layers are especially important.

References

• A Guide to the Ventana Wilderness & Silver Peak Wilderness published by the U.S. Forest Service, Department of Agriculture order form: http://www.nationalforeststore.com/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=NFS&Product_Code=CA-67&Category_Code =

• Mission San Antonio de Padua: http://www.missionsanantonio.net/

• Muir, John, John Muir: The Eight Wilderness Discovery Books
  John Muir's eight most influential works in a single volume. Arranged in the order of Muir's life are: The Story of My Boyhood and Youth, A Thousand Mile Walk to the Gulf, My First Summer in the Sierra, The Mountains of California, Our National Parks, The Yosemite, Travels in Alaska , and Steep Trails.

• Wolfe, Linnie Marsh, Son of the Wilderness: The Life of John Muir
  By immersing herself in Muir's life and soaking in his correspondence and journals, she was able to craft what amounts to a first-person narrative -- the autobiography he never wrote for himself. Text is taken from the John Muir Newsletter, Summer 1993 and is part of a review by Char Miller, Trinity University, San Antonio, TX. See Sierra Club John Muir Exhibit for complete article.

• The Draft Horse Journal is published in Waverly, IA. Feature articles address horse and mule logging, ranching, horsemanship clinics, modern equipment, bloodline profiles, and more. www.drafthorsejournal.net

Conservation

The Los Padres National Forest Monterey Ranger District Wilderness Manager will speak with us about local issues, which may include discussions of the effects of fires in the area, the use of mules by the Forest Service, and the historical sites we will visit.

You will learn and practice the seven principles of "Leave no Trace" to minimize our impact on our surroundings.

Since any traveling leaves a carbon footprint, check out the information the Sierra Club offers about carbon offsets at:
http://www.sierraclub.org/outings/national/offsets/Carbon_neutral.asp

Trip Price

See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy.

The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.

Staff

Trip leader, Jan Lockie has been an outdoor guide for over 15 years, leading paddling, backpacking and wilderness trips in her home state of California, as well as Alaska, Canada and other outdoor destinations. She has a master's degree in Recreation and has worked as a YMCA Parent/Child Program Coordinator. She is also a certified Recreation Therapist and Wilderness First Responder who enjoys introducing people to the wonders of the outdoors. Working with Wilderness Inquiry, Environmental Traveling Companions and the Sierra Club, Jan is most content when she is in the wilderness, experiencing nature and the companionship of other outdoor enthusiasts.

E-mail: janlockie@hotmail.com

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General Notes About Sierra Club Trips

• Carpooling
• How to Apply for a Trip
• Liability Release and Assumption of Risk
• Medical Issues
• Participant Approval
• Standard Trip Equipment
• Travel Insurance
• Trip Feedback
• Legal Information
• Seller of Travel Disclosure