I have reserved the Redwood Grove picnic area at Mount Madonna County Park on July 26, 2009 for a full day, drop in when you like, get together. It is a really scenic place which impressed me years ago and I have been waiting for an occasion to use it. As the name states, it is a small redwood grove, perfect for a days outing to the Santa Cruz mountains.
If you are not familiar with Mount Madonna, it is a Santa Clara County Park located on the Hecker Pass where Highway 152 crosses the mountains between Gilroy and and Watsonville.
It is a perfect opportunity for a "reunion" and to reminisce about old times. There will be plenty of volley ball, frisbee, and food for everyone. Hopefully by now you have told me how many people so I have an accurate count in order to plan the food. The whole family is welcome. We are expecting between 50 and 60 people. Check back on this page for more details as they appear.
Time
It is a drop in any time you want, I plan to get there in the morning to set up in order to barbecue in order to plan to eat 1pm/2pm time frame. A good time to arrive would be 11am if you want to be there in the middle of the day. We will probably wrap things up by 7pm before it goes too late in the evening since the following day is a work day for most of us.
Contact
If you need to get a hold of Keith, my cell phone is 408-859-1005. I don't know if it actually works at the picnic site...but that will still be the best way to get a hold of me in the mean time.
Directions
Shortest: Take 101 south to Gilroy. Take the exit for 152 West (note that West and East are different exits). Follow the signs for hwy 152 -- there is a jog (left turn followed by right) within Gilroy. Drive to the summit. Might be Garlic Festival traffic.
Another option: is to use the Uvas Road. In fact, that is the normal way I use to get there because it is more scenic. That joins highway 152 west of Gilroy Gardens, and probably missing the bulk of the traffic. You will need a good map. Exit 101 at Bailey Road, at end turn left on McKean Rd which turns into Uvas Rd. There is a right turn onto Watsonville Road, and finally a right onto Hwy 152.
From West: the third option is to come through Santa Cruz, down Highway 1 to Watsonville, and take 152 east over Hecker Pass.
At the Park: The park entrance is on the right. Ask at the ranger station to direct you to "Redwood Grove Picnic Ground". There is a $6 charge per car for entry -- even on top of the picnic ground booking, no way to eliminate that, sorry. Carpooling advised.
Food
We will be cooking hamburgers, hotdogs, and garden burgers from about 1pm to 3pm. We will have the buns and condiments and potato salad. We will have plenty of soft drinks (cola / sprite / apple juice / tea / etc) and water. Cake for dessert. If you have any other special food requirements let me know. Please be sure to let me know if you want the garden burgers ahead of time since those will be limited.
Please bring a drink (wine, beer, or other) and a side dish of some sort: tossed salad, noodle salad, cole slaw, chips, appetizers, vegetables, fruit, etc.
Hiking
There are a number of good trails in the area leaving right from the picnic grounds if you are motivated to do a bit of hiking. (I won't be hiking, but if I was not running the barbecue I would be...)
Garlic Festival
Yes, this is the same weekend that the Garlic Festival is held in Gilroy, only a few miles away, so expect some traffic on that highway from the festival. Those coming from the north might consider coming through Santa Cruz and up Highway 152 from the west (but this is not shorter..)
Last edited by Keith Swenson 07/26/2009(Effective date 07/26/2009)
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Mount Madonna Get Together
I have reserved the Redwood Grove picnic area at Mount Madonna County Park on July 26, 2009 for a full day, drop in when you like, get together. It is a really scenic place which impressed me years ago and I have been waiting for an occasion to use it. As the name states, it is a small redwood grove, perfect for a days outing to the Santa Cruz mountains.
Photo of site - Web page - PDF Map of Park
If you are not familiar with Mount Madonna, it is a Santa Clara County Park located on the Hecker Pass where Highway 152 crosses the mountains between Gilroy and and Watsonville.
It is a perfect opportunity for a "reunion" and to reminisce about old times. There will be plenty of volley ball, frisbee, and food for everyone. Hopefully by now you have told me how many people so I have an accurate count in order to plan the food. The whole family is welcome. We are expecting between 50 and 60 people. Check back on this page for more details as they appear.
Time
It is a drop in any time you want, I plan to get there in the morning to set up in order to barbecue in order to plan to eat 1pm/2pm time frame. A good time to arrive would be 11am if you want to be there in the middle of the day. We will probably wrap things up by 7pm before it goes too late in the evening since the following day is a work day for most of us.
Contact
If you need to get a hold of Keith, my cell phone is 408-859-1005. I don't know if it actually works at the picnic site...but that will still be the best way to get a hold of me in the mean time.
Directions
Shortest: Take 101 south to Gilroy. Take the exit for 152 West (note that West and East are different exits). Follow the signs for hwy 152 -- there is a jog (left turn followed by right) within Gilroy. Drive to the summit. Might be Garlic Festival traffic.
Another option: is to use the Uvas Road. In fact, that is the normal way I use to get there because it is more scenic. That joins highway 152 west of Gilroy Gardens, and probably missing the bulk of the traffic. You will need a good map. Exit 101 at Bailey Road, at end turn left on McKean Rd which turns into Uvas Rd. There is a right turn onto Watsonville Road, and finally a right onto Hwy 152.
From West: the third option is to come through Santa Cruz, down Highway 1 to Watsonville, and take 152 east over Hecker Pass.
At the Park: The park entrance is on the right. Ask at the ranger station to direct you to "Redwood Grove Picnic Ground". There is a $6 charge per car for entry -- even on top of the picnic ground booking, no way to eliminate that, sorry. Carpooling advised.
Food
We will be cooking hamburgers, hotdogs, and garden burgers from about 1pm to 3pm. We will have the buns and condiments and potato salad. We will have plenty of soft drinks (cola / sprite / apple juice / tea / etc) and water. Cake for dessert. If you have any other special food requirements let me know. Please be sure to let me know if you want the garden burgers ahead of time since those will be limited.
Please bring a drink (wine, beer, or other) and a side dish of some sort: tossed salad, noodle salad, cole slaw, chips, appetizers, vegetables, fruit, etc.
Hiking
There are a number of good trails in the area leaving right from the picnic grounds if you are motivated to do a bit of hiking. (I won't be hiking, but if I was not running the barbecue I would be...)
Garlic Festival
Yes, this is the same weekend that the Garlic Festival is held in Gilroy, only a few miles away, so expect some traffic on that highway from the festival. Those coming from the north might consider coming through Santa Cruz and up Highway 152 from the west (but this is not shorter..)