A new way to spend a spring day by Peter and Celia Scott They say a true hiker is one who is willing to sit in a closed car, driving 500 miles on highways clogged with traffic, in order to walk 15 miles, surviving on nuts and raisins. Maybe so, but a dozen of us tried out a new method a couple of months ago and found ourselves in for a treat. We met on a Saturday morning at the Santa Cruz Metro station on Pacific Avenue and took the bus to the base of UCSC. From there we walked out the Pogonip Spring Trail, took the U-CON Trail to the Chinquapin Trail to Empire Grade at the Twin Gates. From there we walked on the Gray Whale Ranch heading down the Long Meadow Trail. After lunch and the finest view in the county out over the grasslands, scattered oaks, the redwood forests and Monterey Bay we sauntered down to have a look at the historic Gray Whale lime kilns, then down to the Wilder Ranch historic buildings. After an hour at the Visitor Center, we walked out to Hwy. 1 to catch the No. 40 bus back to Santa Cruz, arriving just before 5:00 p.m. Everyone had a great time, and we arrived home relaxed, still enjoying memories of the views, the spring wildflowers, and the good exercise. All in all it’s about a 10-mile walk. Try it out next time you are thinking of spending an enjoyable day. Just walk out your front door and get on the bus.

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