REGISTRATION 8:00am - 9:00am
MAIN GEOCACHING EVENT 9:00am - 2:00pm
EVENT DRAWING 2:00pm - 2:45pm
WHAT:
Geocachers of the Bay Area (GBA) present Geocache Bash X!
This family friendly day on the dirt at Hollister Hills SVRA has been created for those who love Geocaching and have a 4X4 / Off Road interest at heart. Caches are hidden in all areas of the park, and are accessible via hiking, bicycling, 4x4ing, and dirt bike/ATV riding. Geocachers can go at their own pace.
The event is open to all levels of 4X4 experience and will include caches available in Upper Ranch, Lower Ranch, Hudner, and Mudstone Ranch. We encourage all to come out and enjoy the variety of recreation opportunities Hollister Hills SVRA can offer.
Upper Ranch and Hudner offer 4x4 (non-ATV) fun.
Lower Ranch includes Motorcycles, ATVs, and Camping as well as a hiking area.
Mudstone Ranch offers 13-miles of trail access for hiking, mountain biking, and equestrians for individuals without a 4x4 vehicle.
All participants register on site and receive Event Drawing Tickets. Prize donations are accepted, but not required.
Free day use pass and bagged snacks will be provided with onsite event registration.
Packing a lunch and bringing extra water is recommended. Sunscreen and a Hat are helpful -- there are areas with no shade.
WHERE:
Register at the "AREA 5" at Hollister Hills SVRA. (working on getting coords updated - N 36 45.754 W 121 24.234.
Event page coordinates lead to the entrance gate for AREA 5, located approximately 7 miles south of the town of Hollister. From Union Road, head south on Cienega Road. At stop sign, make a right to continue on Cienega Road. Drive approximately 6 miles, the AREA 5 entrance is on the right. (Please note that the park has multiple entrances; you will drive past multiple park entrances including the main entrance before reaching AREA 5.)
Enter the gate and head down the road to the right toward the AREA 5 parking lot. You will see registration on your right. This is also where the end of event prize drawing will take place.
(The location for this year's event was originally posted with coords to the GP Track, but AREA 5 opened up, so we are moving back to where registration has occurred in all previous years. )
WHEN:
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24. Registration occurs between 8am - 9am, and participants hunt for any or all of 25 event geocaches from 9am - 2:00pm. Event prize drawing from 2:00 pm - 2:45pm.
HOW:
Event registration is dependent on having a GPS-enabled unit and knowing how to load it with a gpx file*.
Upon registration you will receive an event kit with geocaching information, happy swag, and a snack or two thanks to the Geocachers of the Bay Area (GBA). Thank you also to Hollister Hills SVRA and the Hollister Hills Off-Road Association (HHORA) for registration and event support.
Once registration begins at 8am we will begin releasing the gpx file to registered participants.
- There will be volunteers to assist with loading GPS devices, some with laptops.
- Bring your gps cord, a thumb drive, and a laptop, or any other items you normally use to load your gps device.
- Wifi is largely unavailable in the park, but there will be limited wifi at the registration area and an event network for gpx file distribution.
- The GPS coordinates of the event caches will be provided in hardcopy as part of registration, but a GPS device is recommended.
Please note: While we expect to have wifi available at the event base camp, based on past years of this event we know we cannot guarantee cell phone coverage throughout the park or gpx file loading success on cell phones. Do not count on having cell coverage. Be prepared to use your "offline" capabilities.
CELL PHONES:
Cell service is largely unavailable in the park. For this event we do not recommend using only a cell phone for geocaching and navigation, but if you do, please read up ahead of time on how to load a gpx file to your phone by usb or sharing/receiving. General instructions are below, and there will be volunteers to assist, but it will speed up the process if you know your phone capabilities.
iPhones:
Download or know where AirDrop is on your phone. AirDrop allows sharing of files between phones without internet access. Downlod the Cachly geocaching app or another geocaching app of your choice that can use gpx files direct from the phone.
Androids:
Depending on the phone, Bluetooth and the shareit app each allow sharing of files between phones without internet access. Enable your bluetooth or download share it to share files without internet access. Download the C:Geo geocaching app or another geocaching app of your choice that can use gpx files direct from the phone.
VOLUNTEERS:
Over the past decade GBA volunteers have pitched in to make this event a success. This year we have a sign-up site and open slots to support an expanded event.
WHAT ELSE TO KNOW:
Event details are subject to change based upon health or weather advisories. Rain will impact trail access. CA State Parks continue to follow guidance provided by the California Department of Public Health
Be Safe on the Dirt
It is the policy of Hollister Hills District Staff to encourage positive use of park land and its many natural resources. Geocaching can be a positive recreational activity when practiced following established conditions and procedures.
While there is normally a parking fee, for this event the fee is waived for all participants registered on site at the event.
Park Information: Hollister Hills SVRA. Self-guided tours of park features are available as well.