Registration is Required!
An accessible outing at the Redwoods Loop, in celebration of The Disabled Hiker's Guide to Northern California.
About the event
In celebration of the publication of The Disabled Hiker's Guide to Northern California, we are holding a group hike at the accessible Redwoods Loop at Henry Cowell State Park! Join us for a relaxed morning in community amongst the giant trees!
Please read all of the below information. Full details, including directions and meeting location, will be emailed to you after registration.
Trail Description-Redwoods Loop Interpretive Trail (aka Redwood Grove Loop Trail): 0.8 mile, flat, packed gravel surface, minimum 6 feet wide.
This trail loops through a redwood grove with many large trees, including the Fremont Tree which has a large opening in the trunk that is big enough to wheel through! There are benches and pullouts along the way. The park has recently made significant accessibility improvements, and this is a wheelchair accessible hike.
This description is excerpted from The Disabled Hiker's Guide to Northern California (FalconGuides, 2024) and A Disabled Hikers Guide to the Redwoods. This event is possible due to support from a California State Parks Foundation Partnership Equity grant!
Amenities-Accessible restrooms, drinking fountain, and picnic tables.
Pets-Service dogs are always welcome. Pets are not allowed.
Cost-There is no fee to attend. California State Parks charges a parking fee; state park passes are accepted. We will pay your parking fee if it is a barrier for you!
Masks and Scent-free-We practice Covid and illness transmission safety at all of our events. We ask everyone to wear a mask unless your disability prevents it, or when you need a break. Please distance from those who do wear a mask when you are not. We also ask that you not wear perfume and other artificial or natural scents to protect community members who are scent-reactive.
Parking-Large paved parking lot with ADA accessible parking spots.
Transportation-We can provide a transportation stipend to help with gas or transportation costs. Santa Cruz Metro transit route 35 stops 1.5 miles away at the corner of Graham Hill Rd and Hwy 9. We may be able to provide transportation to the park from a central location, but need 3-4 weeks to coordinate. We can also help coordinate carpooling. Please let us know at registration if you need transportation assistance.
Interpreters-ASL, Spanish, and other languages interpreters are available on request; please allow 2 weeks to coordinate. If you have a preferred interpreter, please include their contact information when you register!
About Disabled Hikers-Disabled Hikers is an inclusive disability-led and disability-centered organization grounded in principles of disability justice. We welcome anyone who is disabled, chronically ill, neurodivergent, or otherwise has lived experience of disability – we define these terms in the broadest way possible. We also welcome supportive friends and family. The group hikes together; we adapt the hike to match the needs of everyone present, rest when needed, and make decisions about when to turn back as a group. All of our events include a moment to honor the land and Indigenous peoples and group introductions. There is never any pressure to share anything.
Other things to keep in mind: Please read the hike description. Trails are chosen to be as enjoyable as possible for the most folks, but only you can decide if a hike is appropriate for you.
Please do not offer anyone advice or assistance without asking first.
If you have questions at any time, please ask. We’re here for you!