06/01/2019
JUNE ACTIVITIES AT BIG BASIN
Join us for walks, talks, hikes and more...
SATURDAY, JUNE 1
8 am Birds with Bracelets? Jays and Murrelets Demonstration!
Birds with bracelets? Come watch our Jay researchers as they set up their nets to capture and band the Steller’s Jays. Find out what they’re learning about these clever birds. 1 hour. Meet at Park Headquarters.
11 am & 2 pm Redwood Grove Loop Walk
How do these grand redwoods grow to be so old? So tall? How are they important to humans? Join us for this fun and informative guided half-mile stroll through a magnificent old-growth redwood forest. Meet the famous Mother Tree, the Father of the Forest and the incredible Chimney Tree on this 90-minute walk. Stroller and wheelchair accessible. Meet at Headquarters.
12 pm Discover Big Basin Redwoods Hike!
Explore the park’s less travelled backcountry with Docent Barry Grimm. This moderately paced hike will be tailored to the group’s interests. Based on group size, experience level and weather conditions, we’ll choose from the many trails that explore the park’s most scenic areas. Meet at Park Headquarters.
3 pm Junior Rangers
Discover the fascinating secrets of the forest! Explore and play games as you learn about plants, animals, geology, and more. This one-hour program is designed for kids ages 7-12. Sorry parents, this program is for kids only! Please register your child at the Campfire Center 15 minutes before the program begins. Please be sure your child is dressed for active play in the outdoors.
4:30 pm Big Basin Nature Club
This fun program is designed for children ages 3-6 and their families. Pretend, play, sing and explore! This half-hour program will introduce youngsters to the wonders of the redwood forest. Meet at the Campfire Center.
7 pm Campfire! Marshmallows!
Join us in our historic campfire center for an evening of song and story. Serenade the glittering stars and learn about redwood ecology, creatures of the forest or stories of the park while relaxing in the shadows of the towering trees. Fire lighting and marshmallows (we provide the sticks and marshmallows!) at 7 pm; program begins at 7:30 pm. Wheelchair, stroller accessible. Good dogs welcome!
SUNDAY, JUNE 2
9:30 am The Road Less Traveled—A Dog-Friendly Walk
On this dog-friendly walk, we travel North Escape Road, a paved road closed to traffic. We tour stunning old-growth redwood groves along beautiful Opal Creek. We'll discuss redwood ecology and park history while exploring the deep shade of the redwood forest. This is a fun, easy, 3-mile, 2-hour walk with Docent Diane Shaw. Dogs not required, but welcome! Bring water and meet at Park Headquarters.
10 am Big Basin Nature Club
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
11 am Junior Rangers
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
11 am & 2 pm Redwood Grove Loop Walk
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
TUESDAY, JUNE 4
9:30 am Exploring Big Basin Hike
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
FRIDAY, JUNE 7
11 am & 2 pm Redwood Grove Loop Walk
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
SATURDAY, JUNE 8
8 am Birds with Bracelets? Jays and Murrelets Demonstration!
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
9 am Volunteer with the Trail Crew
Since 1969 the Big Basin Volunteer Trail Crew has helped make it possible for others to safely enjoy the beauty of our park. The Trail Crew meets the second Saturday of each month, rain or shine. A typical workday lasts until mid-afternoon. Please bring your own work gloves, lunch and water. Join us for a unique perspective of Big Basin, a lively and productive experience with others who share a love of these redwood forests, and the satisfaction of participating in a vital part of the park's ability to educate and inspire the public! Meet at Park Headquarters.
10:30 am Sempervirens Falls Hike
This beautiful hike takes you by Sempervirens Falls, old-growth redwoods, Ohlone grinding rocks, the birthplace of Big Basin and more! Join Docent Hal Anjo on this 4-mile, 3-hour hike. Bring water and snacks. Meet at Park Headquarters.
11 am & 2pm Redwood Grove Loop Walk
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
12 pm Discover Big Basin Redwoods Hike!
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
3 pm Junior Rangers
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
4:30 pm Big Basin Nature Club
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
7 pm Campfire! Marshmallows!
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
SUNDAY, JUNE 9
9:30 am The Road Less Traveled—A Dog-Friendly Walk
(Please see description on Sunday, June 2)
9:30 am Berry Creek Falls Hike
Travel deep into the heart of Big Basin as you experience a wide range of habitats on this moderate to strenuous 11-mile-loop hike. Wind through shady redwood canyons and climb dry ridges as you hike to the jewel of Big Basin—65-foot Berry Creek Falls. Bring lots of water, lunch and wear layers. Docent Bill Rhoades will guide you on this seven-hour hike. Meet at Park Headquarters.
11 am & 2 pm Redwood Grove Loop Walk
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
3 pm Junior Rangers
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
4:30 pm Big Basin Nature Club
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
7:30 pm Twilight Adaptations Walk
Twilight marks the end of day and the beginning of night. Animals who come out at night have special adaptations to survive. Come test your nocturnal abilities on this fun, 1.5-hour, half-mile walk. Meet at Park Headquarters.
MONDAY, JUNE 10
3 pm Junior Rangers
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
4:30 pm Big Basin Nature Club
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
7 pm Campfire! Marshmallows!
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
TUESDAY, JUNE 11
9:30 am Exploring Big Basin Hike
Learn about redwoods, forest plants, fires, history and more on these fun, varied hikes with Docent Diane Shaw. Hikes are 5-8 miles and last up to 5 hours. We go rain or shine, but strong winds may cancel. Meet at Park Headquarters.
3 pm Junior Rangers
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
4:30 pm Big Basin Nature Club
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
7 pm Campfire! Marshmallows!
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12
3 pm Junior Rangers
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
4:30 pm Big Basin Nature Club
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
7 pm Campfire! Marshmallows!
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
THURSDAY, JUNE 13
3:30-5:30 pm Apple Roasting! Crafts! Games! Skulls and Pelts!
Drop by anytime between 3:30-5:30 pm at our historic campfire and enjoy roasting ranger apples and marshmallows, playing games, listening to tunes and making some fun crafts! Touch and learn about the skulls and pelts of Big Basin animals.
FRIDAY, JUNE 14
11 am & 2 pm Redwood Grove Loop Walk
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
3 pm Junior Rangers
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
4:30 pm Big Basin Nature Club
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
7 pm POP-UP CAMPFIRE!
AT CAMPSITE 73 IN HUCKLEBERRY CAMPGROUND
Bring your camp chair—we’ll bring the marshmallows, songs and stories! Sit around the campfire, roast marshmallows, sing some songs and hear stories about Big Basin. If possible, please walk to the campfire, as parking is limited to disabled parking.
SATURDAY, JUNE 15
10 am-12 pm Ohlone Plant Use
No Safeway? No Home Depot? No Pharmacy? How did Ohlone Indians survive? Docent Eva Fewel will have plant samples and tools that local Native Californians used. Learn how they collected, processed and used local plants. Stop by our Visitor Center anytime from 10-12.
11 am -1 pm Here Comes the Sun! Sun Telescope!
Come to the Campfire Center and look through a solar telescope at the Sun. You'll see sunspots, solar prominences and other features of our closest star as you learn about the parts of the Sun and how it shines. There will be Sun-related activities for the kids. Conducted by Steve Widmark of the Santa Cruz Astronomy Club.
11 am & 2 pm Redwood Grove Loop Walk
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
11:30 am Felling the Giants: Logging Demonstration!
How did lumbermen cut down these tall, tall trees? What was life like in a logging camp? What tools did they use? Join Docent Paul Fewel as he tells stories of the logging days and demonstrates how loggers were able to fell these giants—without chainsaws! You get to use some tools too! Rain cancels. Meet at Park Headquarters.
12 pm Discover Big Basin Redwoods Hike!
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
12:30 pm Measuring Tall Trees
How do you measure the tallest trees in the world? Join Zane Moore, a redwood researcher, to learn about measuring these tall, tall trees. Zane will show you how scientists determine the height, size and ages of these trees. We’ll look at the history and future directions of tree measurement from cameras to lasers to drones. This 1-mile, 90-minute walk will take us to where technology and trees meet. Meet at Park Headquarters.
3 pm Junior Rangers
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
4:30 pm Big Basin Nature Club
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
7 pm Campfire! Marshmallows!
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
SUNDAY, JUNE 16
9:30 am The Road Less Traveled—A Dog-Friendly Walk
(Please see description on Sunday, June 2)
9:30 am -12:30 pm Coffee Talk and Crafts
Come to the Sempervirens Room next to Headquarters for free coffee or hot chocolate! This is a great way to start your day in Big Basin. A Big Basin Docent will be happy to answer your questions about the park and help get you going on the right trail. And bring the kids for a fun craft!
10 am-2:30 pm Hike to Ocean View Summit
Escape the crowds on this 6-mile loop. Join Docent Steve Stolper as we climb the Meteor Trail through the trees, gaining 600 feet before emerging at Ocean View Summit. After a relaxed lunch we descend into the forest back to headquarters. Bring at least 1 liter of water, lunch and snacks.
11 am & 2 pm Redwood Grove Loop Walk
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
1 pm The Men of Big Basin—A Father’s Day Special Event
Celebrate Father’s Day by honoring some of the remarkable men who lived in, worked in and fought for Big Basin. Living history re-enactments bring you back in time where you’ll meet pioneer settlers, Big Basin founders and early park rangers. Stroll through the magnificent redwoods on this half-mile, 1.5-hour walking play. Wheelchair and stroller accessible. Meet at Park Headquarters.
3 pm Junior Rangers
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
4:30 pm Big Basin Nature Club
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
7:30 pm Twilight Adaptations Walk
Twilight marks the end of day and the beginning of night. Animals who come out at night have special adaptations to survive. Come test your nocturnal abilities on this fun, 1.5-hour, half-mile walk. Meet at Park Headquarters.
MONDAY, JUNE 17
3 pm Junior Rangers
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
4:30 pm Big Basin Nature Club
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
7 pm Campfire! Marshmallows!
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
TUESDAY, JUNE 18
9:30 am Exploring Big Basin Hike
(Please see description on Tuesday, June 11)
3 pm Junior Rangers
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
4:30 pm Big Basin Nature Club
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
7 pm Campfire! Marshmallows!
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19
3 pm Junior Rangers
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
4:30 pm Big Basin Nature Club
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
7 pm Campfire! Marshmallows!
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
THURSDAY, JUNE 20
3:30-5:30 pm Apple Roasting! Crafts! Games! Skulls and Pelts!
Drop by anytime between 3:30-5:30 pm at our historic campfire and enjoy roasting ranger apples and marshmallows, playing games, listening to tunes and making some fun crafts! Touch and learn about the skulls and pelts of Big Basin animals.
FRIDAY, JUNE 21
11 am & 2 pm
Redwood Grove Loop Walk
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
3 pm Junior Rangers
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
4:30 pm Big Basin Nature Club
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
7 pm POP-UP CAMPFIRE!
AT CAMPSITE 73 IN HUCKLEBERRY CAMPGROUND
Bring your camp chair—we’ll bring the marshmallows, songs and stories! Sit around the campfire, roast marshmallows, sing some songs and hear stories about Big Basin. If possible, please walk to the campfire, as parking is limited to disabled parking.
SATURDAY, JUNE 22
10:30 am Meteor Trail Hike
Join Docent Hal Anjo on one of our most diverse hikes—by mountain streams, oak woodlands, chaparral and redwoods. You’ll discuss forests, flowers and fires on a six-mile, 3.5-hour hike. This somewhat strenuous ascent is rewarded with ocean views on a clear day. Bring water, lunch and good hiking shoes. Meet at Park Headquarters.
11 am & 2 pm Redwood Grove Loop Walk
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
12 pm Discover Big Basin Redwoods Hike!
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
12-3 pm Snakes Alive!
Why are snakes important to us? How do they see, smell, taste, hear? What and how do they eat? What does a snake feel like? Come to the Sempervirens Room at Park Headquarters and meet Docent Diane Shaw and learn about the fascinating world of snakes. Stop by anytime to meet the snake and talk to Diane.
3 pm Junior Rangers
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
4:30 pm Big Basin Nature Club
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
7 pm Campfire! Marshmallows!
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
SUNDAY, JUNE 23
9:30 am The Road Less Traveled—A Dog-Friendly Walk
(Please see description on Sunday, June 2)
11 am & 2 pm
Redwood Grove Loop Walk
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
3 pm Junior Rangers
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
4:30 pm Big Basin Nature Club
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
7:30 pm Twilight Adaptations Walk
Twilight marks the end of day and the beginning of night. Animals who come out at night have special adaptations to survive. Come test your nocturnal abilities on this fun, 1.5-hour, half-mile walk. Meet at Park Headquarters.
MONDAY, JUNE 24
3 pm Junior Rangers
4:30 pm Big Basin Nature Club
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
7 pm Campfire! Marshmallows!
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
TUESDAY, JUNE 25
9:30 am Exploring Big Basin Hike
(Please see description on Tuesday, June 11)
3 pm Junior Rangers
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
4:30 pm Big Basin Nature Club
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
7 pm Campfire! Marshmallows!
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26
3 pm Junior Rangers
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
4:30 pm Big Basin Nature Club
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
7 pm Campfire! Marshmallows!
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
THURSDAY, JUNE 27
7 pm SPECIAL GUEST CAMPFIRE!
Nature’s Supermarket
Marshmallows: 7-7:30, Campfire: 7:30-8:30
How would you make dinner if you lived in Big Basin 500 years ago? No supermarkets, no stoves, not even pots and pans…. Join Ranger Alex Tabone to find out how as we take a look at Nature’s Supermarket and make dinner the way it was done by the native Ohlone people 500 years ago! You even get to taste our creation!
FRIDAY, JUNE 28
11 am & 2 pm Redwood Grove Loop Walk
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
3 pm Junior Rangers
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
4:30 pm Big Basin Nature Club
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
7 pm POP-UP CAMPFIRE!
AT CAMPSITE 73 IN HUCKLEBERRY CAMPGROUND
Bring your camp chair—we’ll bring the marshmallows, songs and stories! Sit around the campfire, roast marshmallows, sing some songs and hear stories about Big Basin. If possible, please walk to the campfire, as parking is limited to disabled parking.
SATURDAY, JUNE 29
10:30 am Outlook from Mt. McAbee Hike
Join Docent Hal Anjo on a hike to McAbee Outlook. We'll stop at the top and enjoy the lovely ocean views, returning through a beautiful old-growth redwood forest. Learn about the different habitats as you watch the environment change as we climb and enjoy the view. Difficulty level is moderate. The hike is six miles and about three and a half hours. Bring plenty of water, snacks and good hiking shoes. Meet at Park Headquarters.
11 am & 2 pm Redwood Grove Loop Walk
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
12 pm Discover Big Basin Redwoods Hike!
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
3 pm Junior Rangers
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
4:30 pm Big Basin Nature Club
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
7 pm Campfire! Marshmallows!
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
SUNDAY, JUNE 30
9:30 am The Road Less Traveled—A Dog-Friendly Walk
(Please see description on Sunday, June 2)
11 am & 2 pm Redwood Grove Loop Walk
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
3 pm Junior Rangers
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
4:30 pm Big Basin Nature Club
(Please see description on Saturday, June 1)
7:30 pm Twilight Adaptations Walk
Twilight marks the end of day and the beginning of night. Animals who come out at night have special adaptations to survive. Come test your nocturnal abilities on this fun, 1.5-hour, half-mile walk. Meet at Park Headquarters.
For more information please go to www.parks.ca.gov/bigbasin or call headquarters at (831) 338-8861 for details.
