Audubon Canyon Ranch Hike (February 24) Preview

For our next hike, we'll move a few miles north of where we climbed up Steep Ravine and stepped down the Dipsea Trail and visit Audubon Canyon Ranch's Bolinas Lagoon Preserve. The preserve doesn't open to the public for birdwatching until March 14th this year, but as Wendy says, "Lucky us! We have permission to hike in Audubon Canyon Ranch! This is beautiful habitat, not usually open to the public."

Directions to trailhead: Coming from North or Central Marin: Take Sir Francis Drake Boulevard to Olema. Turn south (left) on Highway 1 and follow for about 10 miles to Bolinas Lagoon. Preserve will be on the left approximately 1 mile further. Carpoolers can meet at St. Rita's Church in Fairfax at 8:45 am.

Coming from Southern Marin: From Highway 101 take the Stinson Beach exit. Follow approximately 12 miles to Stinson Beach. Continue 3 1/2 miles north to the preserve gate on right hand side of the highway.

Time: 1 hour from College of Marin. Restrooms at trailhead.

Weather forecast: As of Thursday, February 19th, the National Weather Service forecast for Bolinas on Tuesday, February 24th, predicted a chance of shower under mostly cloudy skies with a high near 59. (Click here for an updated forecast).

More on this hike: If you have the Martins' book, Hiking Marin, go to hike "F18 Griffin Loop - Bird Overlook Trails" for a map of trails within the preserve. There are two major loop trails (probably about 3 miles long each) going uphill and down, and a shorter 0.8 mile loop nearer to the bottom of the hill.