All good things must come to an end, and our Spring series of hikes came to a good end today on Mount Tamalpais. Cooling breezes blowing up from the ocean kept us comfortable both during our pre-hike recap of the week's outings and adventures and our end of hike pot-luck luncheon at the Rock Spring. Trees along the Benstein and Cataract trails shaded us from the rising temperatures as we tramped downhill towards Laurel Dell and back uphill to the trailhead. Traversing the Laurel Dell road from Potrero Meadows to the dell opened up views north towards the Meadow Club and the hills beyond Terra Linda.Despite the onset of summer, we found many spring wildflowers still blooming along our route. And a quick detour across Ridgecrest and up a small knoll to the south at the beginning of the hike allowed us to find the endangered Mount Tam Jewel Flower.
Wendy's quick hands caught a feisty Alligator Lizard who no doubt feared she was inviting him to "lunch" with us later. (Nothing like grilled lizard gizzards to make a meal). Not so lucky was Mr. Mole, who met a Bad End when he ventured out of his burrow in the underworld to see the light of day. (Even the Turkey Vultures and Wily Coyote didn't want his carcass for lunch).
About four miles after setting out we had looped back to the trailhead, famished and ready to chow down on the big picnic spread that always marks the "Final Exam" for this College of Marin course. As usual, there was a cornucopia of culinary delights, including Cornish pasties whipped up by Geoff and Sue's home-made English scones. (Tomorrow we diet! Today we feast!).
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