HCSF & HCSV: Las Trampas Hike and Eugene O'Neill's Tao House Tour, Alamo
Please join our HCSF & HCSV hike and experience the dramatic views, solitude, and intimacy of Las Trampas that inspired Eugene O'Neill.
Las Trampas Regional Wilderness in the San Ramon Valley is known for its dramatic landscape, commanding views, and relatively undisturbed natural environment. It was this privacy and climate that drew Eugene Gladstone O'Neill (1888-1953) here. O'Neill was an American playwright who was among the first to introduce realism into US drama. With his Nobel Prize in literature in 1936 he built Tao House in Alamo/Danville. Here he transformed his past into the autobiographical plays that made him America's most important playwright. At Tao House, he created his final plays, More Stately Mansions, The Iceman Cometh, Hughie, Long Day's Journey Into Night, A Touch of the Poet, and A Moon for the Misbegotten.
We will meet at the Ringtail Cat Staging Area, Las Trampas Regional Park (560 Hemme Ave, Alamo, CA 94507). We will take the Madrone trail and hike O'Neill's stomping grounds. This trail will give us impressive views of Mt. Diablo and the San Ramon Valley. We will then take the Camille trail to O'Neill's Tao House where we will have a free guided tour of O'Neill's home, stroll his gardens, and see his admiration of Asian culture and life at sea.
The hike is a moderately strenuous 6 miles hike that has about 1400 feet of elevation gain. The out and back hike and tour will take 3-4 hours. Be aware that parts of the hike are steep and only half of the hike is shaded. The trail also has loose soil, rocks, and leaves. Sturdy shoes, hiking sticks, and adequate hydration are strongly recommended.
The National Park Service can accommodate only a limited number for the free Tao House tour. If you are unable to come, please cancel as early as possible so we can include other alumni.
Parking is very limited at the Ringtail Cat Staging Area and car pooling is encouraged: (https://www.groupcarpool.com/t/kew20b). The nearest BART stop is Walnut Creek.
Prerequisite: Read Long Day's Journey Into Night...Just kidding!
Click here to register
Sunday, October 13, 2019
9:00am - 1:00pm
MEETING & ENDING POINT: Ringtail Cat Staging Area at 560 Hemme Avenue, Alamo, CA
Outdoor events can be quite popular, and we frequently end up with people on the waitlist. To allow as many people to attend as possible, please RSVP only if you definitely plan on attending. If unforeseen circumstances make you unable to attend, please let the event organizer know, so we can give your spot to someone on the waitlist.
Liability Disclaimer: Outdoor events such as hikes, walks, and bike rides are activities that involve the risk of property loss and personal injury, including but not limited to permanent disability and death. By registering or participating in this event ("Activity"), you and your estate agree to waive any and all claims of liability against the Harvard Club of San Francisco, the Harvard Club of Silicon Valley, and other co-hosting clubs, if any (the "Clubs"), the Clubs' officers, event organizers, volunteers, agents, and affiliates for any and all injury or damages that you may experience. You and your estate further agree to indemnify the Clubs, the Clubs' officers, event organizers, volunteers, agents, and affiliates against any and all claims brought by third parties who allege that you are legally responsible for property loss and/or personal injury during an Activity. You agree to assume all risk of personal injury, death, or property loss that might result from participation in the Activity.
Event Organizer
David Wong