One of the best ways to prepare for the Camino is to join one of the pilgrim events, hikes or workshops in your community. The Bay Area has a great variety of trails for peregrinos, new and experienced, to explore together.

Monthly Lake Merritt Camino Walk
Sat. December 5, 10:30am

Yoga in Berkeley Hills (East Bay Hiking & Yoga Club)
Sun., December 6, 1pm
Berkeley Rose Garden

Redwood Regional Park hike
Sat. December 12, 10am
Canyon Meadow Staging area

Norcal Chapter is planning a hike in Redwood Regional Park in the hills above Oakland on December 12th.  Meet at the Canyon Meadow Staging area at 10AM.  Bring plenty of water and a picnic lunch.  The walk is about 8 miles in length and not too difficult after the ascent to the ridge.
There are several entrances to Redwood Regional Park. The main entrance, Redwood Gate, is on Redwood Road in Oakland about two miles east of Skyline Blvd. In Oakland on Highway 13, take the Redwood Road exit and go east (uphill). At the top of the hill you will cross Skyline Boulevard and pass the Skyline Ranch Equestrian Center on the right. Farther along you will pass Piedmont Stables on the left.  There are two parking areas inside the main gate.  Meet in the staging area/playground.  If those lots fill and you park somewhere else, we will be walking the East Ridge Trail counter clockwise and then the Stream Trail.    These are all marked on maps available at the entrances and on the website below.  We can all catch up during lunch.
Email NorCal@americanpilgrims.org if you plan to attend.
Peace,
Rennie, Lin and Cybele

Poles: Basic Hiking Skills & Techniques- 11312
Sat. December 12, 9:30am – 1pm
Kennedy Grove (Fern Cottage)

Morning seminar helps hikers learn poles, trail and body skills. Beginner to experienced hikers will learn techniques without the additional time or challenge of a practice hike. Uphill: Improve power, endurance, spine function. Downhill: Learn techniques for feeling safer and preserving joints – Save your knees!

Registration is required. $39.00 (Oakland Resident) $43.00 (Non-resident)

About Poles Classes: Poles help walkers & hikers improve endurance, posture, balance, confidence, and strength. All experience levels learn anatomically optimal techniques to achieve greater skill to avoid joint stress or strain. A variety of top quality poles are provided at all seminars.

I’ve taken this class, led by Jayah of Adventure Buddies. She does a great job explaining pole techniques and benefits. Here are a few photos from my basic poles training class.

Meteor Shower Hike (REI Event)
12/13/15, 07:00 PM
Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley: Inspiration Point

Join us for a night hike at a local park during one of the meteor showers this year! We’ll hike by headlamp and share the wonders of the park at night. Bring your sense of adventure and a list of wishes!
Member: $25 Non Member: $45 Registration is required.

REI offers many hikes and workshops for free or low cost. Try a hike during the full moon or meteor showers, learn wilderness survival skills,  prepare for Pacific Crest, John Muir or Mt. Whitney trails. Click here to see more Bay Area REI events.

Help support this blog by purchasing through my links and REI banners.

There are Camino hotspots nationwide and the American Pilgrims on the Camino (APOC) website has a listing of local chapters where you can find pilgrim events. There are also many active Facebook groups to learn about events in your region.

If you know of any Camino related events for the SF Bay Area that should be included in the monthly roundup, please use the comment form below, or email me.

I wish you all a peaceful and joy-filled holiday season. See you on the trail!

Salud!
Laurie

PS – in 2016, I’ll be leading occasional walks in the Berkeley hills on the 3rd Sunday of the month. Sign up for the Berkeley Hills walk on February 21, 2016.