I have a Love/Hate Relationship with Summer

 We offer Introduction to Backpacking once a month

Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.
-John Lubbock, The Use of Life

Ava celebrates Independence Day with us relaxing at home

I dislike summer here because it can get so hot here in the valley.  Hot and dry. Really dry this year. It's not so bad when it cools off in the evenings, and honestly I felt like most mornings were quite cool and refreshing this summer.  But Jeff and I do look forward to some day moving to a place with cooler summers.

Sonora Peak Hike

And then I love summer because I have 8 wonderful weeks off from work - a necessary break from teaching first grade before starting anew each school-year.  I get to sleep in, spend hours as opposed to minutes drinking my coffee, catch up on house chores, spend more time with my kids and Jeff, and of course get into the outdoors a whole lot more often.

Some summers we've done 2 week road trips, and we miss them, but that kind of trip doesn't work when you are building a retail business and you can't get that many consecutive days off.  So this summer we were content to stay-cation quite a bit, and fill our afternoons and evenings with bike rides, backyard swims, and concert-in-the-park picnics; also we fit in quite a few day-trips full of hiking and kayaking, and a couple overnight backpacking trips (including our guided trips where we take customers out for an educational wilderness experience.)

Backpacking Trip to Chewing Gum Lake

We continued offering our Introduction to Backpacking class (offered once a month) in the store.  This is always a fun evening - we are passionate about getting people equipped to get outdoors with confidence, and this class allows us to do that.  

Concert in the Park, every Thursday night

Movie Night at Jaunt is always a nice weeknight break from the daily grind, a time to both socialize with other outdoor enthusiasts and catch an outdoor-themed film.  This summer we showed Mile, Mile and a Half and grilled up some sausages and hot dogs. This fall we will be showing another Berghaus climbing movie - this will be a great evening, with reps from the company putting on this event. 

So, with fresh peaches and basil and hot afternoons on their way out as we transition into cooler weather and shorter days, we look forward to autumn.  It is my favorite season, even though I am back at work and the kids are back in their activities (like karate, soccer, and Center Stage Kids, youth groups at church...), and we are super busy this time of year.  

Always a fun at Graceada - decorating thanks to Aunt Shirley

Here's what our family is looking forward to: the gorgeous ginko trees in our neighborhood showing us their true colors. Driving over Sonora Pass to see the amazing aspen groves in their fall splendor. Using the backyard fire pit.  Fall backpacking, when the crowds and mosquitos are gone.  Saturday soccer games (go Austin!)  Planting fall veggies (carrots, kale, lettuce, cilantro).  Kayaking the Stanislaus River canyon and Utica lake in the quiet of fall.  (Did I mention people and bugs are gone in the fall?)  

Family Day Hike,  12 miles, Emigrant Wilderness

What can our customers look forward to at Jaunt as autumn approaches?  New gear arriving all the time to help you transition into your cooler weather activities.  More guided trips on the water in a kayak or raft.  Free guided day-hikes.  Wilderness overnight trips. An orienteering clinic for map & compass practice.  And there'll be more - we have some surprises around the corner!  

Volunteering at Gold Rush Adventure 6 & 12 hour race

What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness."
-John Steinbeck, Travels with Charley: In Search of America

Smith Ranch Peaches

Goodbye summer!  See you next year, hopefully after a 

RAIN-FILLED/SNOW-FILLED fall, winter, and spring!  

The daily swim 

Keep Calm and Kayak On

When I first met Jeff, much of our time was spent kayaking.  Well, HE kayaked class 4 & 5 whitewater while I ran shuttle for him and his kayaking buddies.  My kind of kayaking involves water that doesn't move me zipping along in a current.  I enjoy water like when we kayaked the coast of Maine on our honeymoon (15 years ago!), and I enjoy it like on the Alpine lakes we just spent our wedding anniversary floating on this past weekend.  

With his 20+ years of kayak experience on both moving and flat water, I always feel confident with Jeff around, even though I myself am not a water lover.  I don't see how cold water doesn't bother him!  I love packing up snacks & lunch, water & some wine, a book and the hammock, and heading out with him to explore what you can't see from just hiking on the shore.  I love having our kids out there with us, too, showing them how to enjoy nature and keep active and fit.  

We celebrated our 15th anniversary in the Bear Valley area due to the generosity of some friends we've met through owning Jaunt Adventure Gear. This kind couple offered us the use of their condo for a couple days, and it was fabulous.  It isn't easy to get away during this season of life:  children at home and running a retail store that is open 6 days a week, me teaching full-time ten months a year...  But plans were made, gear was packed, and off we went. Some folks may not wish to spend an anniversary in the outdoors, but it's who we are.  When we met and dated back in 1996 we were getting outside all the time to hike, backpack, kayak, canoe, raft, dirt bike ride, mountain bike...and we've added and subtracted other activities along the way, such as climbing and fishing, but always sticking with the hiking and the paddling.  Our 3 week honeymoon on the East coast was peppered with camping and ocean kayaking, so it's only fitting that an anniversary be spent outdoors.  

Lake Alpine is located right on Highway 4, a couple miles past the turn-off to ski Bear Valley.  We went snow shoeing with the kids there a few months ago, on the little snow we had this winter.  This time we donned the sunscreen and mosquito repellant and launched the boats to explore the lake's islands.  There were other boaters, many of them fishing, but it wasn't crowded.  This lake is roadside, so many people stop to picnic in its day-use areas on their way over Ebbets Pass.  We set up the hammock, ate lunch, and relaxed, enjoying the 75-80 degree weather while Modesto was 103.  We saw a few Osprey looking for fish, and chipmunks and birds and butterflies.  The next morning we hiked all the way around the lake.  Gorgeous area, easily accessible.  We've camped before at the West Lake Alpine campground, first come/first served.  

But the best part of the trip was Utica Lake, a little farther off the beaten path. After driving 9 miles away from Highway 4, and taking a gravel road for another couple miles, you get to some real gems, Utica and Union Lakes.  We heard Union is the place to fish, but we went to Utica for its granite coves to explore on the kayaks.  Again we were blessed with great weather and this time we saw a bald eagle!  There are so many nice places to set up the hammock and to swim in this lake that it was hard to choose.  The views of Carson Iceberg wilderness from the lake are amazing, looking over to the Dardanelles (which you also see from Highway 108 interestingly).  There is first come/first served camping available here as well, with some spots right by the water where you can easily launch your kayak or paddle board or canoe.  

So during our blissful days of paddling, it got us thinking.  Just like we are passionate about getting others into the outdoors to hike and backpack, we realize we want to share the wonderful world of kayaking with others, too. As we paddled that weekend both at Lake Alpine and Utica Lake we hatched a plan to offer this Lake experience as a guided trip just like we are doing with backpacking. In addition, there is water on which to paddle closer to home, and we have a scenic calm-water river trip planned, too (which is almost sold out on the 6th of July but wide open on the 7th still.) We can't wait to get people up to this gorgeous place or on the water closer to home, and offer a super fun water experience, while teaching paddling skills along the way. Would you like to get in on the fun? We're making it easy, affordable, and of course FUN! Check out the events page at our website or our events list on Eventbrite

copyright 2014 Nicole Cipriano. All rights reserved.

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Weeknight Fun

"I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the
waters to create many ripples."  Mother Teresa

This past week we set up a meet-up here in town in which people could demo kayaks and paddle boards.  If you live here in Modesto you are thinking, "where on earth can you do that except in someone's backyard pool?!"  After hearing Meg and Rebecca from Tuolumne River Trust speak last week at our in-store presentation, our interest in exploring this local resource grew.

Whenever I've heard "Tuolumne River" and "Modesto" used in the same sentence, it has conjured up visions in my head of homeless camps and drug deals.  Honestly, I'd NEVER been down there in the nearly 20 years I've lived here because of that reputation, until this last November when I did the Turkey Trot 5K run.  First, let me say that on Thanksgiving morning it wasn't scary at all (unless you count the adrenaline that rushed through me just before the start of the race!).  It was breath-taking down there - misty, fall color on the trees, birds and squirrels...I felt gypped that I didn't know this beautiful riverfront was so close by. I mentioned this to everyone I knew at the race, and they assured me that Thanksgiving morning was the ONLY safe day to ever go down there.  

Well, that just isn't fair!  We contacted the Tuolumne River Trust so that we could begin to get educated about this water resource flowing (ok, kind of trickling compared to the Stanislaus River coming out of Knights Ferry and going through Riverbank) right through our very own Modesto.  We learned that in both Waterford and Ceres there already are nice trail and river access areas.  But wait - there is a paved trail and river access here by the river in Modesto, too - I had seen it on Thanksgiving.  Meg and Rebecca mentioned the issue of the homeless camps down by the river here.  My son was fascinated by one man she told of who has built a multi-room dwelling out of tumbleweeds.  They said people are practically encouraged to live down by the river because well-meaning groups and churches bring down bus-loads of food for them each day.   

"Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to
change the world."  Nelson Mandela

Being an elementary school teacher for 16 years, I was very encouraged to hear about programs that the TRT has going for children and youth to educate them on the watershed area and to provide them access to some outdoors experiences.  The Tuolumne River Trust partners with various other groups to promote stewardship of this river.  Each year they do a fundraising and awareness event called Paddle to the Sea.  

This event is one that we are going to participate in this year, most likely the flat water leg between La Grange and Waterford, with camping out at Turlock Lake.  Next year Jeff will get in on the whitewater part of the North T., which he has done a few times before both in a kayak and on a raft.  We know that Jaunt Adventure Gear alone cannot solve homeless problems or stop drug deals, but together with other groups maybe we can make a difference!

So what about our weeknight meet-up that we held?  We had 8 adults and 6 kids show up, plus our own 2 kids, to explore the water on a paddle board or a kayak.  2 adults got whitewater "rolling" practice with Jeff.  The kids hopped right on the paddle boards because kids are that way - fearless - and paddle boards are really stable. Some of us picked up trash in the area where we put-in.  Yes, it was full of trash - papers, plastic, socks, even a pink bra...yuck!!  There was a trash can nearby, which obviously has been missed by the weekly garbage truck for quite some time as it was overflowing.  And as we were packing up to leave near dusk, 2 sketchy cars with 6 or so questionable guys pulled in, but shortly after a sheriff came by, so that was nice.  Would I go down there by myself?  No.  Do I want this area to be a safe and fun place for Modesto families?  Yes.  So we're planning more meet-ups, and more connections with the Tuolumne River Trust. 

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed, citizens can change the world.  Indeed, it
is the only thing that ever has."  Margaret Mead

Interested in paddling a leg of the Paddle to the Sea event with Team Jaunt?  Call us for details - each person on the team has to raise $100 for the TRT.  209.622.0261

copyright 2014 Nicole Cipriano. All rights reserved.

Please do not copy or repost any content or photos.
Instead, please post the link to the Blog.

Looking for a Spring-time Jaunt?

Our kids, 3 or so years ago, in Knight's Ferry

Knight's Ferry
This historic town 30 minutes from Modesto is nestled in the foothills and offers hiking (low mileage, perfect for young children), picnicking, trail-running, fishing, rafting, an old-fashioned covered bridge, and a nice little visitor's center where you can learn about the history of the town & river area and the animals who make their home there. Heading up the trail may offer you the chance to spy an osprey or red-tailed hawk.  

It can get crowded on weekends, so go early.  Right now is the perfect time to see some wildflowers. It gets dry and hot here in summer, but you can cool off by dipping in the river by the day use area that is under the bridge.  

Native American Grinding Stones at Camp 9 that my kids found

Camp 9
A 1 hour 20 minute drive from Modesto, this area is reached from Angel's Camp (highway 4) and is along the Stanislaus River that eventually feeds Tulloch Reservoir.  You park at road's end by a powerhouse, cross a metal footbridge, and are then on a trail that heads to great picnic spots along the river. Pay attention as you walk and you'll see some Native American grinding stones near the trail.  The distance for hiking isn't far, but it is still a beautiful and uncrowded area to explore; just go upstream and check it all out.  One time when we were there about a dozen swallowtail butterflies had just emerged and were drying their wings in the sun. We've also seen wild turkeys here as well, and people come to fish here, and also to boat the river (that's how we discovered it many years ago - Jeff kayaked here.) 

Wildflowers abound in Red Hills in March & April

Red Hills 
45 minutes from Modesto and you are in an amazingly unique place.  The mineral called serpentine fills the hills, making the ground a nice red color, and allowing only certain plant varieties to grow and thrive here.  It's a great place to see birds and wild flowers. There are a ton of trails here, and new ones seem to pop up every day.  Be sure to grab a trail map from the trail head.  There is no water here, unless you come just after some rain and the seasonal creek is flowing.  Dogs are allowed here, but beware of rattlesnakes.  The trails are shared with trail runners, mountain bikers, and horses.  

45,859 acres of what California used to look like

Consumnes River Preserve, Galt
This gorgeous area south of Sacramento has 4.5 miles of trails through valley oaks and meadows.  At the preserve, you can learn about the oak's history in California and see the oak riparian habitat that used to be so wide-spread throughout California before the 1900's.  

Haven't been here, can't wait to go!

Hite Cove
This is Jaunt's next group hike, April 13.
This hike continually gets rated as exceptional by everyone who does it, and we can't wait to check it out this spring.  Apparently the wild flower show is one of the best in the state!  It is 9 miles round trip, and fairly easy as far as elevation gain is concerned.  It seems that the trail is above the river canyon, and drops off rather steeply, so it may not be a place to take small children. From Modesto it is a 2 hour and 15 minute drive taking Highway 99 and 140 through Mariposa.  There are other ways to get there, on really windy roads not for anyone who gets car sick! 

Welcome to the Jaunt Adventure Group!  This group is for anyone who is interested in getting outdoors to experience hiking and other outdoor adventures.  Although we are not professional guides, we do offer years of personal wilderness experience and expert gear knowledge that enables us to easily plan trips, so we encourage you to join us if you understand the following:

• We are a group of all ages and experience levels, and some of our trips are geared more for beginning hikers or those who feel they are not in great physical shape (lower mileage & elevation), while other trips are more for those with more experience and physical stamina (longer miles & higher elevations).  These details will always be explained in the trip emails.  Many of the trips meet the needs of both sets of people!  If you are new to the outdoors, join us.  If you are wanting a challenge, join us. If you have kids to bring along, join us.  Bring along a friend or join us solo.  

• We are geared to get you out! It is, however, your responsibility both to know your ability when signing up for one of our hikes/activities, and to bring along essential gear and clothing..  Please read all emails that come to you when you RSVP for a hike, and feel free to contact the hike/activity organizer with any questions you may have.  

The Jaunt Adventure Group started in the fall of 2012, and so far has consisted of hiking adventures, but in 2014 we would like to branch out.  We want to see what the group wants:  snow shoeing? paddle boarding? kayaking? climbing? geocaching? cave exploration? We are open to suggestions and are willing to let you plan trips for the group, too, so that there is more than one trip per month offered. 

Wondering how to stay informed of the group's activities?  

Follow us on Facebook 

or 

send an email to jauntwithus@gmail.com 

to receive the monthly newsletters and Event Brite event invitations.

Thanks for your interest, we hope to see you on the next adventure!  

copyright 2014 Nicole Cipriano. All rights reserved.

Please do not copy or repost any content or photos.
Instead, please post the link to the Blog.

Pinnacles National Monument

Jeff always has Mondays off (his ONLY day off, in fact) and the kids and I were both off as well in honor of Veteran's Day.  We took off to Pinnacles National Monument for a terrific fall day of hiking and rock scrambling.  The hike we did was a loop that included cave exploration, a small water reservoir, over 1400 feet of elevation gain, hiking up some steep, narrow rocky volcanic areas, and even a sighting of a California Condor.  I plan to bring our Jaunt Adventure Group here in a couple of weeks, so here's a trip report for those wishing to come along.  

We left Modesto about 9 am and were on the trail by 11:30.  We probably spent a half hour at the visitor's center and restrooms, so it's about a 2 hour drive. Because it was Veteran's Day, entrance to the park was free, but usually it is $5 per vehicle. There was plenty of parking at the trailhead, in the Bear Gulch Day Use Area.  

This unique wilderness area is volcanic, remnants of a volcano that was actually located almost 200 miles away, near Los Angeles!  It is here, now, because of moving plates and fault lines (the visitor's center has a nice display that teaches about the geology and history of this area).  It is hot and dry here in the summer, and cool in the winter, with moderate rainfall.  The fire danger right now is HIGH, as it is super dry.  There are no campfires allowed, and smoking on the trail is prohibited.  

Bear Gulch Caves area

The caves in the Bear Gulch area are amazing!  They are talus caves created by huge boulders that formed a roof over a narrow canyon. Walking through the caves requires a flashlight, as some areas are completely dark.  The caves have some steep parts, and in some places there are stairs and handrails.  

The kids attack the beginning of the
uphill along the High Peaks Trail

After coming out of the cave area, you find the Bear Gulch Reservoir.  The endangered California Red Legged frog is endangered but making a comeback, and can be seen at the reservoir, but we didn't get lucky enough to spot one. From the reservoir you catch the Rim Trail, and it goes mostly uphill.  Eventually you meet up with the High Peaks Trail, still heading up.  Up at Scout Peak there is an outhouse toilet and a bench on which to take in the view.  You can see a parking lot, but it isn't the one we started at.  It was 2 miles from the caves to Scouts Peak.

Parts of the High Peaks Trail are steep and narrow

From Scouts Peak you get into the really fun part of the High Peaks trail - you are walking up steep rock, with the aid of handrails.  It is from up here where we saw the beautiful California Condor flying.  We also ran into a ranger who was using a radio antenna to pick up the signals of the condors, which are all radio collared. This .7 mile stretch of the trail is incredibly beautiful with so many rocky spires and different views out to different directions.  

Park staff monitoring the radio signals of
the condors, all of which are tagged

The last 1.7 miles of our loop went downhill along the Condor Gulch Trail and offered views of the high peaks which we had just explored. We hiked a total of about 6 1/2 miles and it took us just under 4 hours.  Today there was some cloud cover, which was nice.  The few times that the sun was full out, it was too warm; I can't imagine coming here except in fall, winter, & spring.  

Join us November 23, Jaunt Adventure Group hike information:

To attend the hike:  please send an email to jauntwithus@gmail.com

Meet-up Place:  Jaunt Adventure Gear, 1508 10th Street, Modesto

Time:  8:00 (departure by around 8:15)

The hike options:

• short option, see the caves twice - hike to explore Bear Gulch caves and picnic at the reservoir, 1.7 miles one way. Return via the same route, 3.4 miles total
• another short option - hike to explore Bear Gulch caves and continue past the reservoir onto the Rim Trail for viewing some rocky features and return to parking area, a 3 mile loop trip
• longest option - hike to explore Bear Gulch caves, see the reservoir, continue on into the High Peaks area (this is the route Blogged about above).  About a 6 1/2 mile loop, with over 1400 feet in elevation gain. This option is more strenuous, and may not be suitable for those people afraid of steep, narrow heights/cliffs.

What to bring:

You can find a complete list of what to bring on Jaunt hikes here.

• water, 2-3 liters per person.  There is NO water anywhere on the trail.  Carry 3 if you plan to do the longest option
• flashlight or headlamp for exploring the caves
• comfortable shoes, moisture-wicking socks, layers of clothing.  The cave section is very cool, while the exposed section between the Rim Trail and Scouts Peak is very hot.
• sun hat, sun screen, sunglasses
• toilet paper, wipes, ziplock baggies
• knife, first aid kit
• food - enough calories to fuel your hiking for the day (you might try bagels and peanut butter, cheese and crackers, fresh cut-up fruit or dried fruit, nutty trail mixes, Pay Day/Snickers, cut-up carrots/sweet peppers/celery, jerky)
• optional but worth the weight - camera, binoculars, trekking poles

I am looking forward to hiking this with you - it is such an incredible place to visit.  Make sure to sign-up using the email address above, as I will send out the final meet-up details a few days before.  Anyone is welcome, bring your family and friends - just let me know that in the email.  Thanks!  

copyright Nicole Cipriano. All rights reserved.

Please do not copy or repost any content or photos.
Instead, please post the link to the Blog.

What to Bring on a Jaunt Adventure Group Hike

Jeff & son on Mt. Lassen 2012

I love how interest in our Jaunt Adventure Group is growing. It is my passion to get people out hiking, even if they've never hiked before.  The following things are what you should bring along with you in your backpack on day hikes with the Jaunt Adventure Group. 

1. Water Carry 2-3 Liters (8-12 cups) of water in your hydration bladder or lightweight bottles.  You should plan to drink 1-2 cups an hour to stay hydrated. 

LOVE Darn Tough socks, guaranteed for life, made in USA

2. Appropriate Shoes & Socks You don’t necessarily need special shoes, but a basic low-cut trail shoe will offer you traction.  As you grow into hiking, you may want a boot that offers support for going off trail more often and has waterproof qualities.  For our Jaunt hikes, make sure your shoes are comfortable and have been broken in.  Socks should be moisture wicking so your feet stay cool in summer and warm in winter.  They could be synthetic or my preference, wool.  Also, I suggest an extra pair of wicking socks so if your feet do get wet you can change.

3. Clothing Avoid cotton!  It gets wet from sweat, or if we have rain, and it will stay wet and heavy and you will lose precious body heat and feel cold.  Wear performance-type fabrics, like polyester, fleece, wool, even the older polypropylene because they will wick moisture away from your skin.  Wear layers to be prepared for weather changes.  You should have 3 top layers: a bottom layer, a mid layer like a fleece, and an outer layer jacket for wind or rain protection. Pants are usually better than shorts because you will have protection from sun, bugs, and scratches from trail brush.  Zip-off leg pants are ideal!

4. Headgear Think both sun protection and protection from cold – mountain conditions change frequently in a day.  You need a hat that has a brim, like a baseball cap or a brim all the way around.  But also bring a knit beanie for warmth. 

Jaunt's junior crew, Gaylor Lakes, Yosemite, June 2013

5.  Sunscreen & Sunglasses The sun can be more intense at higher elevations, so wear sunglasses and sunscreen, and bring a small tube of sunscreen along to reapply.

6.  Bug Repellant Don’t forget this, or it can be a miserable trip (not that I know this first-hand! Ha!)

7. Toilet Paper and Zip Lock Baggies While trailhead parking areas may have toilets, once we are on the hike it’s just trees and boulders.  Hiking areas require packing out your trash, so be prepared to put your wiping paper into a baggie in your pack to carry it out and throw it away in a garbage can.  That goes for all your candy and granola bar wrappers as well.  If you pack it in, then pack it out.  

Tuolumne Meadows, January 2012

8. Lunch A packable lunch should need no refrigeration for obvious reasons. (I don’t think you want to carry a cooler and heavy ice for miles.)  Here’s some ideas:  bagels (regular bread can get mushed in your pack), peanut butter, honey, fresh or dried fruit, trail nut mixes, beef jerky, salami sticks, cheese sticks (they don’t need the fridge), protein bars, or granola bars.  The web is full of homemade recipes for hiking foods such as wraps and energy balls.

9. Safety Essentials You may never use these, but if you ever need any of them at some point you will be glad you have them. 

 A knife or multi-tool.  I usually end up needing it once on every trip, if only for cutting my salami and cheese. 

 Light. A flashlight (with extra batteries) or headlamp is a must.  If you are ever out later than expected you don’t want to be in the dark without some light.

Matches/fire starter. I hesitate to include this after we just watched our precious Sierras burn up from an irresponsible hunter lighting a fire he was not supposed to light.  But a small, appropriately built fire can ward off hypothermia or be used as a signal fire for rescue.  A fire would only be lit in a true emergency, not just for ambience.   

First Aid Kit. Bandaids, wipes, gauze, butterflies, Advil/Tylenol, mole skin, etc. We sell these at Jaunt Adventure Gear.

Whistle. A whistle is much more effective than yelling in case you need to signal anyone of your presence. 

Afternoon thundershowers, summer, Yosemite

10. Optional Items 

• Camera I bet you want photos of your adventure.
• Trekking Poles Really nice to have along, as they help save your knees and provide balance
• Binoculars Can be fun to use for wildlife viewing, scouting the lay of the land from a peak, etc.
• Journal or sketchbook

Everyone is welcome to join a Jaunt hike, beginning hikers and advanced alike.  By being prepared with the items on the list, we can all help each other have a successful trip. 

And for all you experienced hikers, what's your take? Do you agree with my must-haves?  Did I leave anything out that you deem important?  I'd love for you to leave a comment.  

copyright Nicole Cipriano. All rights reserved.

Please do not copy or repost any content or photos.
Instead, please post the link to the Blog.