Friday, April 19, 2024
-
Sunday, April 21, 2024

Mt Madonna County Park

Sign Up Coming SoonSign Up Now!
Note that children 14 and over are welcome on V-O-Cal projects. Volunteers under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Project Background and Description

The first V-O-Cal project of 2024 will be at Mt. Madonna County Park near Watsonville. This is a beautiful park in Santa Clara County dominated by redwood forest.
We have received approval to do a partial reroute of the Redwood Trail to bypass a major slide. If time allows, we’ll also do a much-needed rehabilitation of the Sprig Trail. The work should be fun and rewarding.
More info about:
Mt Madonna County Park
More about what it is like to volunteer on a project:
Volunteer

Project Pictures

Help recruit more volunteers! Download the project flyer here

Project Flyer

Camp

We have the entire Valley View 2 campground set aside for us. The kitchen will be set up in campsite #220, and campsite #221 will be used as the common area. Please note that available camping space is limited and we’ll need to fit 3 or 4 tents into every available campsite. If you’re camping overnight and have the option to bring a smaller tent, please do. Please note that smoking is prohibited in the park.

Driving Directions

Mt. Madonna County Park is located at:  7850 Pole Line Rd, Watsonville, CA  95076

From the east (North of Gilroy):

  • From US-101, take the Tenant Ave exit (exit 365)
  • Turn right on Tenant Ave
  • Turn left on Butterfield Blvd & continue onto Watsonville Road
  • Turn right on CA-152 (Hecker Pass Hwy)
  • Turn right on Pole Line Road

From the west:

  • From CA-1, take the exit for CA-152 East
  • Turn left on Pole Line Road

Once in the park:

  • Go past the entrance kiosk & turn right on Valley View Road
  • Follow the signs to “Overflow/Extra Vehicle Parking” and “Valley View 2 Campsites”
Map Link

Carpool/Parking Information

Level of Effort

Project Fact Sheet

Fact Sheet
If a parking pass is required at the project site, it will be included with the fact sheet.

Project Schedule

Friday
5:00pm - Registration and camping open. DINNER IS NOT PROVIDED.

Saturday

7:30am - Registration, light breakfast, and lunch packing begin at Center Camp.
8:30 am – Morning greeting, announcements, stretching and safety talk.
9:00 am – Project begins.
12:30pm - Break for lunch on trail.
3:30 pm – Stop work and return to camp. Clean and store tools.
4:00 pm – Drinks, appetizers and socializing.
6:00 pm – Dinner. 

Sunday

7:30am - Registration and lunch packing begin. Hot breakfast is served.
8:30 am – Morning greeting, announcements, stretching and safety talk.
9:00 am – Project begins.
11:30 am – Break for lunch on trail.
1:30pm - Stop work, clean tools, load tools into boxes and return to camp.

Things to Do Before or After the Project

What to Bring and Wear

For your safety and protection from hazards, please be prepared with the following items:
  • Sturdy shoes or boots with good tread. Ankle support will be important where we are building new trails. Sandals and open-toed shoes will not be permitted
  • Water bottles or a water bladder that can hold at least 2 liters of water. (You will not be allowed on the trail without water.)
  • Day pack to carry your water and lunch.
  • Work gloves. (If you don’t have your own gloves, V-O-Cal will provide them. Please return them at the end of the project.)
  • V-O-Cal provides all necessary tools, as well as training on tool use and safety.
  • Sunglasses, hat and sunscreen.
  • Insect repellent and allergy medicine (if you normally need these things when working outdoors).
  • Reusable plate/bowl, eating utensils, and mug/cup.
  • A change of clothes for each work day and for lounging at camp to minimize the spread of poison oak.
  • Please come prepared for a variety of weather conditions (think layers!). Unless there is a serious storm predicted, we will work drizzle or shine.
If you are camping, you will also need the following items: 
  • A tent (if you have the option to bring a smaller tent, please do!)
  • A sleeping bag, sleeping pad and pillow.
  • A flashlight or headlamp.
  • A camp chair (if you don't want to sit on the ground).
  • Other camping gear that makes you comfortable

Meals

V-O-Cal provides all meals for volunteers from breakfast Saturday through lunch Sunday. Vegetarian options are available for all meals. (Please note that dinner is not provided on Friday.)
  • To minimize waste we ask that you bring your own reusable plates, coffee mug, cups and utensils. Hot water and soap are provided.
  • A continental breakfast is served Saturday morning.
  • Lunch is prepared before hitting the trail. You break for lunch on the trail around 12:30pm.
  • Please arrive at camp by 7:40am to register, eat breakfast and prepare your lunch.
  • Appetizers and beverages will be available after the work day on Saturday, usually around 4pm. Dinner will follow, usually around 5:30pm.
  • Hot breakfast is served Sunday morning.

Hazards

SUN EXPOSURE | HYDRATION | HYPOTHERMIA Most of the work areas are fully shaded. However, please plan for sun protection, including sun hats, sun block and light long sleeve shirts. Please bring water bottles or a water bladder large enough to hold at least 2 liters of water. Drink plenty of water throughout the work day. If you feel tired or weak, let your crew leader know, and take a break.

POISON OAK There is a risk of exposure to poison oak at the work site. Have your crew leader point some out to you if you don’t know what it looks like. Clean with Tecnu (which we provide) after the work day and be cautious when handling your dirty clothes

TICKS | MOSQUITOES Mosquitoes could be active this time of year so bug spray and long sleeved, lightweight shirts are recommended. Ticks are always a hazard; light colored clothing makes them easier to spot when you check during and after the project.

SNAKES Snakes are present on the property. Use caution, especially when picking items up off the ground or moving rocks.

SHARP TOOLS Please listen to your crew leader’s tool safety talk and observe proper tool use throughout the day.

Volunteer Project Team

  • V-O-Cal Executive Director Cathy Moyer
  • Project Team Lead Joe Cavaness
  • Technical Lead Duane Sheets
  • Camp/Kitchen Operations Pete Duringer
  • Chefs Matt Lyman | Craig Fish
  • Crew Leader Manager Chris Moen
  • Registration Melanie Lee | Augusta Murphy
  • Outreach Lily Brady
  • Tool Manager Jared Rogers
  • Food Shopping & Prep Cathy Moyer | Chris Fishel
  • Warehouse Load | Truck Driver Duane Sheets
  • Stretching Lauren Blanchard

Agency Partner

Santa Clara County Parks

Project Sponsors

Project Sponsor

Special thanks to Bay Area Barns and Trails (BABT) for their generous grants supporting V-O-Cal these past few years. BABT assists landowners and land managers with preservation and maintenance of publicly accessible Bay Area barns, stables, pastures, staging areas, horse camps, and trails.

Additional thanks to our In Kind Sponsors for this Project

Connoisseur Coffee | Tecnu | REI | Sidley Austin | Metro Mobile Communications | Adventure Medical Kits | Clif Bar

Help recruit more volunteers! Download the project flyer here

Project Flyer

Other Upcoming Projects

This is some text inside of a div block.