Hike & Wine in Sonoma (Monday, July 13)

The fact that there are no "official" Meandering hikes this coming week (Wendy is out of town) has not deterred the die-hard Monday group from hitting the trail and they have invited the Tuesday hikers to join them for hiking, wining, and dining near the Town of Sonoma. (If you plan on going, please RSVP to peggespike@yahoo.com or call Pegge Spike at (415) 382-0416 since they need to make a reservation at the restaurant for the post-hike lunch).

Here are the details per an e-mail from Pegge:

"The hike is on the grounds of the Bartholomew Park Winery at the end of Castle Road. [Click here for a map that shows the winery in relation to the Town of Sonoma].

We will meet at the parking lot behind the Barracks [part of Sonoma State Historic Park] just off the Plaza. (Click here for a location map which you can zoom in on).

From Marin: 101 North to Hwy 37 toward Vallejo.
About 5-6 miles to Hwy 121 to Sonoma--a left turn by the Infineon Raceway.
About 6-7 miles and Hwy 121 curves to the right [and heads towards Napa].
About 1 mile and Route 12 turns to the left to Sonoma proper. This (12) is Broadway and it ends at the Plaza/City Hall after about 5 miles.

At end of Broadway turn right--go to stop sign and turn left. You will pass the
Sebastiani Theatre [on your right]. Continue to stop sign [the Sonoma Mission is on the right at this corner].
Go straight for about half a block to city parking lot on left. We will car pool to the trailhead.

Call Anne if you get lost (510) 333-3886.

I think we should aim for the usual meeting time of 9:45. There are restrooms near the parking lot. We are in no big rush since the hike is about 2 hours or a little less.

It could be hot, but about 3/4 of the trail is under trees. [As of Thursday, July 9, the National Weather Service forecast for this area on Monday, July 13 was sunny with a high near 89. Click here for an updated forecast].

There is a lot of up and down and the trail can be slippery with gravel. Recommend good tread and hiking poles for those who usually use them. There is a chance to bail out before the last big "up." There are restrooms at the end of the trail...and, of course, the winery. Nice tasting room.

Our usual lunch place has been EDK (El Dorado Kitchen). A little upscale but we are worth it. There are others with outside tables. Might depend upon our numbers so can decide
later.

Wish there were wildflowers and water in the creek...alas, not at this time. The views are nice and the company the best.

Cheers to you and all!

Anne"

[The Google Earth image below shows the hills surrounding the Bartholomew Park Winery. Click on the image to open a larger version in your Web browser].