Haasis Hikers Collection
Finding aid created by Monterey Public Library staff using RecordEXPRESS
Monterey Public Library
2023
625 Pacific Street
Monterey, California 93940
(831) 646-3741
https://monterey.org/library/services/research/history_room/index.php
Title: Haasis Hikers Collection
Dates: 1970-2005
Collection Number: ARC 647
Creator/Collector:
John Castagna
Haasis Hikers
Extent: 10 album boxes; 2.7 linear ft.
Repository:
Monterey Public Library
Monterey, California 93940
Abstract: 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.
Language of Material: English
By appointment only; Contact Local History Librarian or designated staff
Reproduction by Local History Librarian or designated staff; may be restricted due to condition of material.
[Identification of item]. Haasis Hikers Collection. Collection Number: ARC 647. Monterey Public Library
Gift of the Haasis Hikers and John Castagna
Biography/Administrative History
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.
Scope and Content of Collection
This collection contains: hiking maps, pamphlets, and booklets, one binder, newspaper clippings, memorial booklets, group
memos, membership lists, trail lists, transcripts of interviews, one DVD, color photographs of all different sizes, a published
biography of the group, and a handwritten hiking log, contributed by all members. It is an important resource on area hiking
and the Haasis Hikers.
Arranged in three series: I: Historical Documents, Park Booklets and Maps, II. Newspaper Clippings, and III. Photographs.
Hiking
Maps
Biography
Photographs
Big Sur Mud Slide
DVD
Booklets
Conservation
Guides
Obituary
Haasis, Ferdinand
McCorkle, Sandy
Haasis Hikers
Monterey Peninsula, California
Blue Rock Ridge
Big Sur
Point Lobos
Garland Ranch
Los Padres National Forest
Pfeiffer State Park
Santa Cruz Mountains
Yosemite National Park
Del Monte Forest