Explorations
Aside from the week-long expedition, the WildLink Club tries to complete one hike or activity per month. The club generally heads for the Sierras in the Autumn, The Central Valley during winter and the Pacific Coast during Spring. Below you'll find all the photo journals from our adventures. Enjoy!
Twenty-six students from THS and PHS embarked on an adventure to explore the oft-overlooked Black Diamond Mines Regional Park near Antioch. In the mid-1800's, the park served as a major producer of low-grade coal that fueled California's growth. Its sandstone layers later provided an abundant supply sand to create glass. The fog was thick on the drive from Turlock to Antioch, but as we climbed the last mile of road into the parking lot of Black Diamond Mines we broke out into the clear. It was magical. We ended up hiking 3.66 miles atop a ridge with great views in temperatures that nearly reached 70 degrees. On February 1st! Thanks to our teacher-friends that donated their time and gas money to make this trip happen! Mr. Testo, Mr. Boyce, Mr. Hakanson, Alexis, Mrs Shipman-Norman and Mrs Norman-Shipman and of course Mrs. Hollister.
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The first WildLink day hike of the year was a success! Twenty-one students from Turlock and Pitman High Schools took a lovely four-mile stroll through the South Grove Trail at Calaveras Big Trees State Park to witness Giant Sequoias that are likely several thousands of years old. It’s pretty cool to be able to spend a day with students visiting the some of the most massive single organisms to have ever lived on earth. And, unlike last year’s first trip, no flat tires! Hurray!
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We took our last and most challenging hike of the year to see an amazing wildflower display atop a 10.8 million year old lava flow that has since become a great example of inverted topography!
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The club took 22 students on a 40 minute drive south to the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge near Los Banos to check on the progress of our milkweed plantings and to hopefully see a huge variety of migratory birds!
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Taft Point
9/7/18
The adventure of a decade! Two flat tires on the same car.
The WildLink Club finally made it back outdoors after a busy December and January. We were able to take 19 students to Yosemite Valley (4 for the first time!) to go ice skating at Curry Village. It was a grand day, with temps in sunshine hovering near 60F, while in the shade they were a measly 38F. Quite a contrast, but one that made for huge amounts of fun and laughter. Thanks to Mr. Testo & Mr. Kamp for going along!
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The WildLink club made its first-ever visit to Knights Ferry and the Stanislaus River Parks. We enjoyed a quick 2.5 mile hike along the metamorphic rocks of the river canyon, a nice lunch in the shade and then had a blast watching the spawning chinook salmon from atop the bridge. The river was flowing at a hefty 2000 CFS, flooding many of the beaches near the river. We had 22 students from THS and 3 from PHS. As always, A HUGE THANK YOU to our chaperone/drivers: Mr. Sousa, Mrs. Shipman-Norman & Mrs. Norman-Shipman, Mr. Campbell (& family), & Mr. Testo (& Bo).
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The inaugural WildLink hike for the 2017-18 school year was a bit delayed due to weekend commitments of Mr. Hollister. As they say, better late than never. Twenty-six students from THS & PHS braved the five-mile hike round-trip hike up the border of the Emigrant Wilderness before dispersing into several groups to explore the ridge lines and vistas. It was quite the adventure and the first time in many, many months we had to wear a sweater. Most students said it was great to feel the cold!
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Below is a 3D model of one of the tree roots we saw breaking-down the granite.
Eleven students braved some late-season chilly weather to see the largest living organisms to have ever lived on Earth. We hiked around the Calaveras Big Trees just east of the town of Arnold. Students got to witness just how huge the trees were and view the remnants of the Pioneer Tree, a giant that had a hole cut through its trunk so that cars could drive through it. It would likely still be alive today had it not been pierced. To end the day, we headed up Highway 4 about 10 miles and found plenty of snow from the winter's record-breaking snow pack to play in. Seven of the eleven students had never before seen snow! We left with hands stinging from the cold and memories to last a lifetime.
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Eighteen WildLinkers took the challenge of climbing the walls this year at Stonehenge Gym in Modesto.
Raza, Jaspreet, Harmanraj, Harmonjot, Satbir, Jobandeep, Mohammad, Akashdeep, Damien, Wali, Abdo, Saquibullah, Diego, Karina, Mobin, Martina, Maya, Sawyer, Mrs Raynes, Mrs H, Mr Testo.
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THS Students: Jas, Harmanjot, Saquebullah, Wali, Akashdeep, Mohammad, Ishmeet, Satbir, Harbreer, Abdo, Harmanraj, Ramandeep, Karanbir.
PHS Students: Mobin, Caitlyn, Kimberly |
Mr Testo, Mrs H, Sharon, Sawyer, Jaylin, Mobin, Isaiah, Jaymi, Stephanie, Kimberly, Davis, Esmaralda, Elena, Damian, Trenton, Theo, Elbra, Anoosh, Abdo, Jacob, Caitlyn, Citlally, Lizet, Elena, Jaspreet, Ramandeep, Jaskarn, Harman, Diego, Mr Sousa, Mrs Shipman-Norman
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Twenty-nine WildLink Club members from Turlock and Pitman HS observed Veterans Day by hiking over 8 miles to Cleo's Bath while circumnavigating Pinecrest Lake. We were appreciative of the sacrifices our veterans have made (and still make) to help keep our public lands free and accessible to all.
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The first WildLink trip of the 2016 school year was a smashing success! Twenty-six students from Turlock and Pitman High Schools made the several mile trek to Taft Point and take-in the amazing vistas.
THS Students: Mohammad, Akashdeep, Karanbir, Satbir, Crystal, Harmanjot, Iven, Waliullah, Harbeer, Ishmeet, Jobendeep, Sarqibullah, Stephanie, Wendi, Mariela, Elizabeth, Sarai, Zayra, Liana, Gisel, Gabrielle, Ethan.
PHS Students: Kimberly, Caitlyn, Sharron.
THS Students: Mohammad, Akashdeep, Karanbir, Satbir, Crystal, Harmanjot, Iven, Waliullah, Harbeer, Ishmeet, Jobendeep, Sarqibullah, Stephanie, Wendi, Mariela, Elizabeth, Sarai, Zayra, Liana, Gisel, Gabrielle, Ethan.
PHS Students: Kimberly, Caitlyn, Sharron.
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Another year, another wall to climb!
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Mirror Lake - Yosemite
11/11/2015
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Another tremendous group of 23 THS and PHS students took to the trails to see what they could see. The seven students who went on a brave "adventure" hike actually saw a bear! The first I've seen in over 20 years of hiking in the Emigrant Wilderness. What a treat!
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The WildLink club made our first exploration hike of the year to Burst Rock with 25 students from THS and PHS. We experienced no impacts from the various smoldering fires and had amazing views. These students were amazing people with which to spend a Saturday! This hike was unique because most of the group was able to see several Sooty Grouse (I've only seen three in my many previous hikes to the area). We also found over 500 pennies strewn across the rocky point where we ate our picnic lunch. Hypotheses abound about how the pennies got to the spot.
Thanks to the chivalry of several veteran WIldLink members, we were able to take a small crew of eleven THS & PHS students to Point Reyes on the 109th anniversary of the 1906 Great San Francisco Earthquake. We first stopped at the Bear Valley Visitor center to hike the Earthquake trail and ogle at the San Andreas fault and rupture offset. We had a quick lunch under the giant bay laurel trees and then headed out to the Kehoe Beach trailhead. Several students had never before been to the beach so this was a great day! And we got to experience the effects of marine layer. In the half-mile hike the weather went from 75 and sunny at the trailhead to 58 and overcast at the beach. Awesome!
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THS and PHS WildLinkers finally made it to the ice of the Curry Village Rink at the beginning of February. It was a balmy 50 degrees on the rink, the park was snow-free and everyone had a great time!
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Sixteen WildLink club members spent three hours “learning the ropes” of rock climbing at the Stonehenge Climbing Gym in Modesto. Everyone took turns relying on their partners to belay as they attempted to scale walls that were over 40 feet tall. The encouragement, support and positivity exuding from everyone made this one of the best WildLink trips in recent memory. Everyone had such fun!
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Twenty-two WildLinkers set out for a great day of adventuring up Burst Rock in the Stanislaus National Forest. Upon entering the wilderness our large group of 29 students and drivers broke into two groups with one group going low to Powell Lake and the other group going high atop WildLink Point (Unnamed high point on ridge). The sky was amazingly clear and we had visibility of over 30 miles in all directions. It was awesome!
Burst Rock Hike #1
08/20/14
Eighteen great students made the awesome 5.5 mile round-trip to trek to Burst Rock in the Emigrant Wilderness. The students split up into two teams once reaching the wilderness boundary to adhere to the strict wilderness policy of groups smaller than 15 in the Wilderness. The day was bright and cheery with several small clouds that would become an intense rain shower after we left. Smoke from the King Fire was evident to the north, but did little to impact our wonderful view.
UC Merced Vernal Pools Reserve and Grasslands
03/15/14
The Turlock High WildLink club had the honor and privilege of becoming the first members of the public to get a tour of the new UC Merced Vernal Pools and Grasslands Preserve. We made history!! Guided by Yosemite Leadership student-rangers Cecilia and Theo, we had a grand morning learning about the importance of vernal pools to our local ecosystem and the awesomeness of having the preserve located on campus. Because of the ongoing drought we were not able to see the pools with water in them. We did get to see grasses, flowers and animals that make the preserve home before eating lunch and then taking a tour of the campus. It was a great day!
Stonehenge Climbing Gym
02/1/14
Seven THS WildLink Club members decided to rent out the Stonehenge Climbing Gym in Modesto so we could "Learn the Ropes" of climbing. It was a day of great fun, teamwork and trust. We were all quite sore afterwords, but full of pride in our accomplishments for the day.
Inspiration Point - Yosemite
11/09/13
Eighteen awesome THS & PHS students used a perfect November day to get inspired... by hiking 2.77mi to Inspiration Point and back. The trailhead at Tunnel View is easy to find and the trail makes a great getaway from the valley traffic. We ended the afternoon with a hike in El Capitan Meadow to soak in some autumn reflections on the Merced River.
Sentinel Dome & Taft Point
09/28/13
Twenty-one students from Turlock and Pitman High Schools braved a late-summer spattering of rain and hail to achieve vast vistas of Yosemite. This was a great way to start the year, but pictures are sparse due to intense rain and hail on the Taft Point Hike. Didn't want my camera to take a beating.
Sentinel Dome & Taft Point
10/20/12
Fifteen awesome Turlock & Pitman High WildLink club members along with their drivers spent a glorious mid-October Saturday in Yosemite National Park exploring Sentinel Dome and the Fissures at Taft Point. What a thrill it was to peer straight down over 3000 feet!
Kehoe Beach -
Point Reyes Nat'l Seashore
4/28/12
wenty-two intrepid WildLink explorers braved a long drive to experience the solitude and wonderment at Kehoe Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore. We perfectly timed a low-tide and thus had plenty to explore. Several students picked-up a great deal of flotsam including fishing nets and even a few plastic fishing floats with Japanese writing. With full bellies we made the 34-mile windy drive down HWY 1 to Muir Woods National Monument where we were monumentally disappointed. Apparently everyone in the Bay Area decided to take advantage of a nice day and turned the Muir Woods Road into a three-mile long parking lot. Since there was ZERO chance of finding parking we begrudgingly decided to visit Muir Beach instead to finish-off the day and to see where Redwood Creek enters the Pacific Ocean.
Curry Village Ice Skating
Yosemite
01/28/2012
Twenty-Four WildLinkers had the best day EVER thanks to the volunteer driving of Mr. Hoobyar, Mr. Julien, Mrs. Rowan, Old Man Hollister and Brett. The perfect January day in Yosemite Valley. 45 degrees, sunny, a smidgen of left-over snow, flowing falls, ice skating and to top it all off - HAPPY BURGER!
Sonora Pass Snow!
10/08/2011
Seven THS and four PHS students went to the high country several days after an unusually cold early fall storm dumped 12"+ of snow on Sonora Pass. We had originally planned this hike several weeks ago with the hope of getting great views and seeing the famous high-country fall foliage. We also wanted to hike through the remnants of a large volcano that existed in the area 10 million years ago.
We ended up with great views and snowball fights along the entire length of a short hike on a snow-covered Pacific Crest Trail north of Sonora Pass. Aspen trees are still another week or two away from bright yellows and oranges... only twinges of yellow were seen on our hike.
Burst Rock Ridge
Emigrant Wilderness
09/17/2011
The Turlock & Pitman High WildLink Clubs started the 2011-2012 school hiking season right. Sixteen club members, Mr & Mrs H and Mr Campbell took on one of the best “bang for your buck” trails: Burst Rock in the Emigrant Wilderness. Despite the fact that it was opening day of deer-hunting season and the trailhead parking was packed, we ran across very few folks on the trail. Once at Burst Rock, we headed up Burst Rock Ridge off-trail on the hard granite. Upon gaining the summit (9,200’) of the ridge we were treated to expansive 360 degree views, seeing peaks as far away as 25 miles. The surrounding meadows were still very wet and green, unusual for this time of year. There were even a few patches of ice that were still somewhat snow-like… enough so to make a snowball, anyway. Overall a great day! (Oh yeah… we spread our group out so not to heavily impact the wilderness).
Hetch Hetchy
Yosemite
04/09/2011
Thirteen WildLink club members braved the unseasonably cool April temperatures to partake in a wonderful hike at Hetch Hetchy Reservoir in Yosemite National Park. On the road into Hetch Hetchy we stopped in a snowy meadow to play in some snow and observe hoarfrost. Once we arrived at Hetch Hetchy the students learned about the history/impact of the O’shuagnessy Dam and the water/electrical resource it supplies to San Francisco. We then set out for the base of Wapama Falls which was putting on a spectacular display thanks to the large snowpack. Unfortunately we couldn’t view the full extent of the falls since the bridge across the falls had been wiped-out in an October storm. The weather gods made up for our bad view with a brief shower of snowflakes and snow pellets that made the hike seem as if it took place within a giant snow globe. Overall, a fantastic day!
Ice Skating -
Curry Village
01/15/2011
Thirteen WildLink club members escaped the Tule Fog for a fun afternoon of ice skating at the Curry Village ice rink in Yosemite Valley. After hitting the ice for a couple hours we headed off to Lower Yosemite Falls for a photo-op and then had an epic fifteen-minute snowball fight before taking in the sunset at Tunnel View. I think everyone had fun and would do it again!
Cleos Bath -
Stanislaus Natl Forest
11/11/2010
Seventeen WildLink club members took advantage of our Veteran’s Day by enjoying the lands our military men and women fought so hard to keep free. The day's destination was Cleo’s Bath above Pinecrest Lake since it offered the perfect blend of hiking, adventure and of course, snow play. The fall colors of the oaks around the lake were in full display, adding to the already gorgeous scenery on this perfect day. Everyone on the trip worked hard to make sure everyone made it up safely to the top of Cleo’s Bath using tremendous amounts of good spirit and teamwork. A big thanks to Daisy’s mom and unlce for driving a van, as well as to the Senior Mr & Mrs H for driving a truck with several club members. Without them not nearly as many of us could have had fun!
Path of the Padres-
Los Banos Reservoir
04/07/2010
Four Turlock High WildLink Club members, along with four THS Ag students experienced a tremendously informative and exhilarating day filled with history, biology and geology at Los Banos Reservoir as part of the Path of the Padres interpretive hike. Ranger Richard was kind enough to guide us on the original trail used by Catholic Padres of the late 1700’s to navigate across the Diablo Range into the Central Valley .
Point Reyes
National Seashore
03/13/2010
Fourteen WildLink club members had an amazing day visiting Point Reyes Nation Seashore. Our members got to experience many "firsts": The first time any of them had stood on an actual fault, the first time many of them had seen the ocean, the first time many of them had seen elk, the first time any of them got to run their toes through the sand, etc, etc. The day was nearly perfect. Temperatures were in the mid fifties with nearly 30mph winds. But our reward for braving the wind was a crystal-clear day in which we could literally see for miles.
Powell Lake -
Emigrant Wilderness
10/31/2009
Five fun-loving club members gave up their Halloween to go hiking on a lovely afternoon in the Emigrant Wilderness. With temperatures reaching 62 at 9000ft and visibility going on for miles, our jaunt from Gianelli Cabin to Burst Rock & Powell Lake was a day-hike that truly pleased all. Enjoy the photos!
Path of the Padres-
Los Banos Reservoir
04/02/2009
With funds provided by the WildLink club, 13 lucky students got to spend a warm, breezy, spring day at Los Banos Reservoir. Ranger Richard was great and helped narrate our expedition during a short pontoon boat ride across the lake and a 2.5 mile hike along Los Banos Creek. Along the way we saw many great animal & geological specimens, including a conglomerate layer that still has me drooling! We capped-off our hike with a 600ft ascent up “Optional Hill” that gave us sprawling views of Los Banos, the coast range and the largest sycamore grove in California.