VOLCAN MOUNTAIN FOUNDATION IN JULIAN ANNOUNCES JULY AND AUGUST EVENTS

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June 26, 2015 (Julian) – The Volcan Mountain Foundation is offering a series of events, from hikes to beer-tasting to a summer film festival.  Scroll down for highlights, and visit www.VolcanMt.org. for full details.

Fireworks from the Volcan Summit Hike! Saturday, July 4th; Leaving the trailhead at 7pm

Saturday, July 4th enjoy a bird’s eye view of the many fireworks displays around San Diego County from the summit of the Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve.  Leaving the trailhead at 7pm, San Diego County Park Attendant Bill Augustus will discuss the history and geography of the area. The group will arrive at the summit just as the sun sets to enjoy the coastal views.  Then around 9pm, enjoy the many fireworks displays from around the County.   The group will be on the summit for about an hour before the fireworks start, so bring a jacket, water and a snack.  The hike back down to the staging area in the dark so please bring a fully charged flash light.

This hike will include an elevation gain of approximately 1,000 ft in 2 miles. Please dress in layers as the temperature can change dramatically nearing the summit.  Wear sturdy hiking shoes and carry a fully charged flashlight. Bring plenty of water and a snack for the summit. Park along Farmer Road and meet at the trailhead at the Hubbell Gateway approximately 300 feet up the gravel road from the parking area.  This is just north of the Wynola Road intersection with Farmer Road. The hike will be canceled if it rains. Please contact the Heise Park Ranger office for updates or more information, 760-765-4098.

Visit the Volcan Mountain Foundation's website at www.VolcanMt.org for ongoing updates of events and activities on and around Volcan Mountain.

Hike & Hops with the Anza-Borrego Foundation & Nickel Beer Company on Saturday, July 25th 9am-3pm

On Saturday, July 25th the Volcan Mountain Foundation joins with the Anza-Borrego Foundation and Nickel Beer Company for summer Hikes & Hops on Volcan Mountain led by VMF's Education Coordinator, Kathleen Beck.

Explore the Range that Native Americans call Hahachepang--'where the water comes from'--with a 6-mile round trip hike starting from VMF's Volcan Mountain Nature Center at 9am, and gaining about 800' in elevation on the way to the 5,000' conifer grove of the Sky Island parcel. Highlighting the trip is a refreshing stop at Ironside Springs to take in the verdant riparian flora. The final hike destination will depend on the group. It will end at the conifer grove unless the group is interested in continuing up the Sky Island Trail (another 1 1/2 mile) to the Porter-Hubbell view scope and spectacular views to the coast across San Diego mountains and watersheds.

After the hike, take the short drive in to Nickel Beer Company in Julian for a taste of the specially-brewed Borrego Dark Sky Stout (or any other Nickel Beer). This ABF-sponsored event is $15 or $10 for ABF Members; free for new members in the last 3 months. For information and registration:www.theabg.org/events or 760-767-0446 x1003.

Plan to arrive between 8:45 and 8:55.  Meet at entryway to VMF’s Volcan Mountain Nature Center (22850 Volcan Road)—located at the gate at the beginning of Volcan Road (very end of Farmer Road).

Visit the Volcan Mountain Foundation's website at www.VolcanMt.org for ongoing updates of events and activities on and around the Volcan Mountain Range.

4th Annual Julian Film Festival, Friday, August 21st & Saturday, August 22nd

The 4th Annual Julian Film Festival, benefitting and sponsored by the Volcan Mountain Foundation, is moving from spring to summer for 2015 and will be held on Friday, August 21st & Saturday, August 22nd.Tickets will be available soon, but save the dates now!

The nature-focused, environmental film festival will tie-in with, and support, VMF’s theme of A Watershed Year. It will focus on important themes of water and connectivity like those of the 15-mile long Volcan Mountain Range and it’s adjacent watershed and wildlife corridors in the San Diego County and Southern/Baja California regions. Two exceptional, award-winning, feature-length films also provide a local connection.

An Emmy-nominated documentary, ‘Breaking Point’ by award-winning documentary producer Bill Wisneski, spotlights a critical water issue and a potential crisis in Southern California with the Salton Sea and the Colorado River Basin. San Felipe Creek springs forth high on Volcan Mountain and flows east into the Anza-Borrego Watershed and onto the Salton Sea’s Colorado River Basin. California’s largest lake is disappearing and time is running out to make changes before an ecological breaking point is reached. Certainly protecting watersheds and water sources like the Volcan Mountain Range is one part of the solution to this weighty issue.

Another highlight of the festival will be the film ‘OR7-The Journey’, by filmmaker Clemens Schenk, that depicts the importance of wildlife corridors in Northern California/Oregon and the plight of grey wolves, and clarifies myths and misconceptions that surround these magnificent animals. The film documents the journey of OR-7, a grey wolf which was collared in Oregon and eventually dispersed from his pack. A journey that tells the story not only of OR-7, but of the wolf as a species in America. It is a journey of survival. A journey of inspiration.

Schenk shared that he lived in Julian about 40 years ago for several year in the house on Main Street that’s now the Julian Pie Company! He has fond memories of Julian, and looks forward to making the trek down for the festival. He’s making arrangements with supporters and colleagues from Julian’s own California Wolf Center and the Center for Biological Diversity to participate as well. Everywhere this film’s been shown it’s sold out, so don’t miss your opportunity to view this critically-acclaimed and fascinating documentary!

The Julian Film Festival hopes to provide connectivity for those that love, and are hopeful for, nature and to serve as inspiration to inspire active stewardship for protection and care of vital natural resources like the Volcan Mountain Range. The film festival provides a fun, social opportunity to look at, share, and discuss important environmental issues as a community. It takes issues what may seem large and looming, and through spirited and social engagement gives hope that together we can (and must) tackle even the biggest issues that face society today.

The historic apple-producing, ranching and gold-mining town of Julian, California in the mountains of northeast San Diego County, provides the perfect setting to get informed about, and inspired by, nature. Surrounded by the Cleveland National Forest, Julian also showcases natural attractions for recreating and camping like the nearby Cuyamaca RanchoPalomar and Anza-Borrego State Parks, and several countyparks and preserves.

The Festival will kick off with Friday night films at the Julian Station, a popular local food and watering hole and historic apple packing facility and cider house. Filmgoers can enjoy local, organic food and beverages from Mr. Manitas Taco Bar & FruteriaThe CoolerGolden Coast Mead, and Julian Hard Cider before enjoying the films on an outdoor screen and a filmmaker reception to follow.

On Saturday, there will be four 90-minute film sessions with community/filmmaker discussions to follow atJulian High School on the east-end of Main Street.

Just a couple blocks away, the historic townsite of Julian offers ample dining, shopping and lodging opportunities. A Saturday night awards party at the historic Julian Town Hall with live music and food provided by Granny’s Kitchen will close out the festival.

On Sunday, attendees staying for the weekend can visit VMF’s Volcan Mountain Nature Center and take a guided hike on VMF’s Sky Island Trail that provides a spectacular views to the coast and a terrific overview of adjacent watersheds and mountain peaks.

Visit www.JulianFilmFestival.com or www.VolcanMt.org for updates, tickets and more information.

Sky Island Trail Guided Hike, Sunday, August 23rd, 9am-Noon

On Sunday, August 23rd from 9am-Noon, join the Volcan Mountain Foundation staff for a hiking exploration of VMF’s Sky Island Trail located at the upper ‘mile-high’ property. Don’t miss the 4th Annual Julian Film Festival on Friday, August 21st & Saturday, August 22nd!

Approximately 1.5 miles long, the trail is an easy ascent starting among ancient pines, oaks and firs, and finishing with spectacular 300 degree views of the county’s mountains and coast.  The newly completed James Hubbell-designed, and Bill Porter-built Sky Scope affords visitors focused views of the Volcan Mountain range, it’s adjacent watersheds and regional peaks.  Past the gated access, on the drive up to the trailhead, participants will make a brief stop to visit a part of Ironside Springs, the headwaters of Santa Ysabel Creek, and experience a mixed conifer forest similar to that found in parts of Northern California, and rarely seen in San Diego County.

This free activity is appropriate for ages 5 and up accompanied by a responsible adult.  Space is limited.  Due to the gated entry, please RSVP to Nicole at VMF office by Friday, August 21st (760-765-2300 oradmin@volcanmt.org) and plan to arrive between 8:45 and 8:55.  Meet at entryway to VMF’s Volcan Mountain Nature Center (22850 Volcan Road)—located at the gate at the beginning of Volcan Road (very end of Farmer Road).

Visit the Volcan Mountain Foundation's website at www.VolcanMt.org for ongoing updates of events and activities on and the around Volcan Mountain Range.

Dinner in the Meadow at Pazzo Grande to Benefit the Volcan Mountain Foundation, Saturday, August 29th, 2015

On Saturday, August 29th the Volcan Mountain Foundation's very popular series of Fab Feast events for 2015 will conclude in grand fashion with Dinner in the Meadow at Pazzo Grande (less than a mile northwest of the historical Julian townsite).

Hosted by Marti Montbleau, the magnificent Volcan Mountain Range will provide the backdrop to this unique dining experience featuring the finest local farm-to-table fare. In the spirit of Outstanding In The Field dinners, guests will connect with the land, dine al fresco in the Pazzo Grande meadow, and share a twilight Italian family-style feast under the August full moon. As part of the Dinner in the Meadow community experience, guests are asked to each bring a bottle of wine to share. Seating is limited to 50 guests at $125 per person.

Marti's dinners are truly fabulous and have always sold out...so, don't miss out! Contact the Volcan Mountain Foundation (VMF) office at info@volcanmt.org or 760-765-2300 to make your reservations right away.

VMF's Fab Feast events are an annual series of privately hosted culinary occasions with proceeds benefitting the Volcan Mountain Foundation. For over 25 years VMF has engaged people and partners to ensure that the vital watershed sources, wildlands and wildlife of the Volcan Mountain Range remain protected, pristine and wondrous for all generations. Thank you to all who attend, and especially to our generous hosts for opening up their homes and donating their time and talent to support VMF's fundraising efforts in such a fun and delicious way!

Visit the Volcan Mountain Foundation's website at www.VolcanMt.org for ongoing updates of events and activities on and around the Volcan Mountain Range.

 


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