Tomales Bay State Park Hike (May 20th) Preview

Here's what Wendy has to say about Tuesday's hike in Tomales Bay State Park:

"Let’s enjoy one more trip in case Arnold does close this gem. [From Dick: Good news in Sunday's San Francisco Chronicle --- the Governor won't be closing any state parks. Click here to read outdoor writer Tom Stienstra's article on the state park closure plan]. We usually see osprey and at least hear the Swainson’s thrush. Lots of plants that like wet places including ledum and deer ferns.(You’ll want shoes that like wet areas too since the boardwalk doesn’t get you through all the wet spots.) If we go over to Indian Beach we’ll see wetland plants like marsh rosemary and jaumea."

If you've mislaid Wendy's directions to the trailhead, here's how to reach the park:

"Take Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Turn right at Olema and make an immediate left onto Bear Valley Rd. Continue until you pick up SF Drake again. Go through Inverness. Where the road veers left to Drake's Beach and the lighthouse go straight. This puts you on Pierce Point Rd. Just BEFORE the right turn that takes you down to Heart's Desire Beach there is a dirt parking lot on the right. If you don't know it you may need to go to the road to Heart's Desire and then turn around. We'll take the Jepson/Johnson loop.

Carpool leaves St. Rita at 8:55. No restrooms at trailhead, restrooms at lunch."

The 2nd edition of the Martin's book, Hiking Marin, describes two hikes in the park. But one of these is a shuttle hike (and we're not doing a car shuttle for our trek), so here is the hike description and map for what the Martin's call the "Johnstone - Jepson Trails" hike. [Dick's note: This may not be the actual route we'll take, but it will give you a good idea of how the trails in the park are laid out]: