Yeah I think the trailhead parking fills up pretty early on weekends so we should aim to be there by 7 or 7:30 at the latest. The loop we talked about is about 8 miles with moderate elevation gain and should take us around 4 to 5 hours depending on how often we stop for photos. There are a couple of stream crossings that might be a bit tricky if the water is high so bringing an extra pair of socks is probably a good idea. I packed some trail snacks and plenty of water for everyone. Let me know if you want to carpool from my place since it's on the way and we can consolidate vehicles. The weather forecast looks decent with a slight chance of afternoon showers so a lightweight rain jacket would be smart to have in your pack. I also checked the park website and they mentioned some recent trail maintenance so a few sections might have loose gravel.

I also picked up a map from the ranger station yesterday and it shows a few alternate routes if we want to extend the hike a bit. There is a scenic overlook about halfway that would make a good spot for a rest break. The parking fee is eight dollars per vehicle which we can split if we carpool. Let me know what you think about the timing and whether you want to meet at my place or just at the trailhead. I am flexible either way just want to make sure we have a solid plan.
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We were thinking of having the dinner around 6pm so people have time to get there after work. The community center has a full kitchen so we can reheat things if needed. I signed up to bring a main dish and some sides but we still need a few more people to cover desserts and drinks. The signup sheet is on the bulletin board near the entrance if you want to add your name. We should have enough tables and chairs for everyone but if you have folding chairs that would help. Let me know if you need directions to the center or if you want to help with setup. I can be there around 5 to start arranging the tables and making sure the coffee station is ready.

We also need to decide on a theme or just keep it casual. Last time we did a potluck it worked well without a theme so maybe we stick with that. I will bring a couple of side dishes and maybe a dessert if I have time to bake something. If anyone has dietary restrictions we should note that on the signup sheet so people can plan accordingly. Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions. I think it will be a nice gathering and the space at the center is really comfortable for this kind of event.