Haasis Hikers is a hiking group that meets weekly. Members hike trails throughout the Central Coast, and have conducted special trips to places as far away as England. The group consists mainly of retired men, but women (usually wives of members) are permitted to hike on “designated days. The Haasis Hikers organize trail cleanup, cut brush back, repair washed out sections of trails, etc. Haasis Hikers only accept new members to fill vacancies. Membership is lifelong.

The Haasis Hikers were formed by Ferdinand Wead Haasis (1889-1969). Haasis was a graduate of Yale with his Ph.D in plant pathology from Johns Hopkins University. (A biography of his career is included in the collection.) In 1930 Haasis moved to Carmel and assisted Dr. D.T. MacDougal of the Carnegie Institution of Washington on tree growth studies. Over his long career he authored some 50 papers in the fields of botany, forestry, and photography. After retiring from government service he and his wife served as forest look-outs at the Sid Ormsbee Lookout in Carmel Valley. While serving as a look-out Haasis completed over 90 watercolor plates of local flora and was an active member of the Carmel Art Association. In the early 1940’s began Dr. Haasis leading regular hiking trips around Monterey County with small groups of friends. The weekly hiking groups became known as the Haasis Hikers.

10 album boxes; 2.7 linear ft.

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