Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Registration for Winter COM Hikes Begins Tuesday, January 3rd

Registration for the Winter 2012 College of Marin session opens on Tuesday, January 3rd.

Here is the information you need to sign up for the Monday (listed first) or Tuesday hikes:


7 Mondays, 9:45am–1:45pm
Jan. 30–Mar. 19 (No class Feb. 20)
Fee $119
CRN# 15025 EC

7 Tuesdays, 9:45am–1:45pm
Jan. 31–Mar. 13
Fee $119
CRN# 15026 EC

Click here if you want to view or print the full College of Marin Community Education Schedule for Winter 2012.  (Schedules were to be mailed out on Tuesday, December 27).




Alpine Dam to Bon Tempe Dam Hike (1/3) Preview

We hike along a creek with lovely cascades and ferns. This is usually an interesting mushroom hike – in past years we've seen Toothed Jelly Fungus, Rosy Gomphidius, Cowboy's Handkerchief, and The Prince! The start is uphill with some stairs (but we’ll find lots to look at on the way), the end is level - and in between it’s up and down! We end up at the Bon Tempe Dam.  (Click here for a recap of our January 2010 hike).

This is a shuttle hike, so CALL WENDY AT 457-3949 or send her an e-mail her at bdreskin@comcast.net if you are coming! 


Directions to trailhead:  Take the Fairfax-Bolinas Road. Turn in as you would to go to Lake Lagunitas. After the ranger station at Sky Oaks (but before Shaver Grade) there is an unpaved road to the right. Take this to Lake Bon Tempe and park.  MEET HERE AT 9:15 a.m. Porta potties are in the parking lot. (Click here for directions from the MMWD Web site).

From Bon Tempe we’ll carpool to the trailhead (near Alpine Dam). Do not pay the $8 day use fee at the Sky Oaks entrance kiosk if you plan to take people to the trailhead. (You can use $1, $5, or $10 bills and coins at the automated pay station, or a Visa or Mastercard. Annual entrance passes for Marin residents are normally $60 ($30 for those 62 and older), but after September 1st you can buy one for half of those prices and the pass will be valid through January 31, 2012.  (You can pay the annual pass fee at the automated pay station.  Keep one part of the receipt which is a temporary pass good for two weeks, then: 1) stop at the Sky Oaks Ranger Station on the way out and ask them to send the other half of your receipt to the main office in Corte Madera which will issue the permanent pass and mail it to you, or 2) send or take the receipt to the main office yourself).

We’ll need people who are not in a rush to take the driver’s back to their cars parked near Alpine Dam.

Carpool leaves St. Rita Church in Fairfax at 8:55 a.m.

Weather forecast:  As of Tuesday, December 27th, the National Weather Service forecast for this area during the hike was partly sunny, with a high near 62. . (Click here for an updated forecast).

More on this hike: There is no comparable hike in the Martins' book, Hiking Marin, but we'll begin our hike just past the dam at Alpine Lake and head east on the Helen Markt Trail, eventually pick up one of the fire roads, and wind our way back to Bon Tempe Lake. (Click here to view, zoom in on, or print a map of the MWWD watershed lands).

Thursday, December 22, 2011

No Hike Next Week!

Just a reminder that there is no hike on Tuesday, December 27th.

Our next outing will be on Tuesday, January 3rd.

Happy Holidays from the Meandering in Marin on Tuesdays blog!

Thursday, December 15, 2011

No Hike Next Week!

Just a reminder that there is no hike on Tuesday, December 20th.

Our next outing will be on Tuesday, January 3rd.

Happy Holidays from the Meandering in Marin on Tuesdays blog!

Monday, December 12, 2011

Lake Lagunitas "Final Exam" Hike Photos Now Online!

Photos taken by Theresa Fisher during our December 6th Lake Lagunitas "Final Exam" hike are now online!

View them on the Meandering blog or click here for the on-line album.

Friday, December 9, 2011

New "Central Marin Community Map Book"

San Anselmo-Fairfax Patch

Here's a new book of maps that will either be delivered to you or that you can pick up at various locations in Marin:
B0c08e846bf26ca2ab576ea1ecaf4405 Comprehensive Map Covers Ross Valley
Innovative free maps come to Central Marin....
Visit Patch.com for more local news, reviews, and info.
If you're not a member of Patch yet, sign up now!
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Copyright © 2011 Patch. All Rights Reserved.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Mushroom Identification Guide

In case you didn't get a copy of Wendy's mushroom identification guide when we did the Bahia hike or via Theresa Fisher's recent e-mail, click here to view and download a copy.

Bahia Hike Photos Now Online!

Photos taken by Theresa Fisher during our November 29th Bahia hike are now online!

View them on the Meandering blog or click here for the on-line album.

Pine Mt./Elliott Preserve Hike (12/13) Preview


SHUTTLE HIKE - NOTE EARLY STARTING, LATE ENDING TIME
 
CALL WENDY AT 457-3949 or send her an e-mail her at bdreskin@comcast.net if you are coming!
 
This one-way shuttle hike starts in oak/bay/madrone woodland, passes through chaparral, then heads down to a valley with a stream, passing some serpentine rock areas. We'll check out birds and mushrooms as we go.  (Click here for the recap of our hike in this area in January of 2009. The January 2010 hike was cancelled due to bad weather).


Directions to trailhead: We need some people to meet at the end of Cascade Drive in Fairfax at 9:20 a.m. If you have time pressure after class go there as well, since the car shuttle won’t get us back to the trailhead until a little after 2:00 pm. Wendy will drive those drivers to the start of the hike.

Others should meet at the trailhead by taking the Bolinas-Fairfax Road past the Meadow Club (golf course) and up to the crest of the hill. Park in the parking lot across from the Pine Mountain Fire Road. It is a large dirt parking lot on your left, and the fire road is on the right. If you start going downhill and can see Lake Alpine, you’ve gone too far.  There may be a porta-potty at the trailhead.

Carpool to the trailhead (not the end of Cascade Drive) will leave from St. Rita's at 9:25 a.m. (Wendy won't be at St. Rita's she is going early to drive to the end of Cascade Drive).

Weather forecast: As of Tuesday afternoon, December 6th, the National Weather Service forecast for Fairfax onthe day of the hike was mostly sunny, with a high near 59. (Click here for an updated forecast).

More on this hike: We'll be hiking on both MMWD watershed lands (click here for a map that you can view, zoom in on or print) and those of the Marin County Open Space District (click here for a description of the preserve (now called Cascade Canyon Open Space Preserve insttead of Elliott Preserve) on the District's Website, or click here for a map of this area).

Cranberry Soup Recipe

Click here to view and print the recipe for the cranberry soup Dick Jordan brought to today's "Final Exam" hike around Lake Lagunitas.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Lake Lagunitas “Final Exam” Hike (12/6) Preview

We return to the MMWD watershed for our final hike of the Fall 2009 "2" session.  Here's what we'll be doing:  "We make a partial circle around the lake, looking for ring-neck ducks, mergansers, grebes and other birds, and then make a loop past Pilot Knob, returning on Southern Marin Line. We usually see newts and some interesting mushrooms on this hike. Bring your contribution to our gourmet feast, plus a plate, utensils, and a cup."  (Click here for a recap of our December 2009 "Final Exam" hike at this location).

Directions to trailhead: Take Sir Francis Drake Boulevard into Fairfax. Jog left and make an immediate right in front of the movie theater. The first left puts you on Bolinas Avenue. Follow this until you see the sign on your left for Lake Bon Tempe and Lake Lagunitas. Follow the road to the toll booth by Sky Oaks Ranger Station. (Click here for the MMWD map and directions). The continue past to toll booth until you reach the end of the room.

The day use fee is $8.  You can use $1, $5, or $10 bills and coins at the automated pay station, or a Visa or Mastercard. Annual entrance passes are normally $60 ($30 for those 62 and older), but after September 1st you can buy one for half of those prices and the pass will be valid through January 31, 2012.  (You can pay the annual pass fee at the automated pay station.  Keep one part of the receipt which is a temporary pass good for two weeks, then: 1) stop at the Sky Oaks Ranger Station on the way out and ask them to send the other half of your receipt to the main office in Corte Madera which will issue the permanent pass and mail it to you, or 2) send or take the receipt to the main office yourself).

Time: 30 minutes from College of Marin. Restrooms in parking lot.  Carpoolers can meet at St. Rita's Church at 9:20 a.m.

Weather forecast:  As of Wednesday November 30, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was sunny, with a high near 60. (Click here for an updated National Weather service forecast).

More on this hike:  Hike "C16 - Lakeview FR to Pilot Knob" in the Martin's book, Hiking Marin, sets out a shorter hike than we'll be doing; instead of following the Pilot Knob trail back to the parking lot, we'll take a longer route back by continuing eastward and then looping back the west, picking up the Southern Marin Line Road (called the Filter Plant Road on the Martin's map). (Click here to view, zoom in on, and print a map of the MMWD watershed lands).

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Sky Oaks Hike Photos Now Online!

Photos taken by Theresa Fisher during our November 22nd Sky Oaks hike are now online!

View them on the Meandering blog or click here for the on-line album.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Thanksgiving “Bird” Watching

IMG_0020Spotting a flock of wild turkeys in the rural areas surrounding San Francisco Bay is so common that Dick Jordan is almost certain to see them in a field just ten minutes’ drive to the west of his home. But he never expected to find one at the condominium complex in El Cerrito where he had gone for Thanksgiving dinner.

This turkey strode slowly up to Dick after he parked his car, eyeing Dick as though it was he that was going to be on the turkey’s carte du jour.  Fortunately for this Tom, he lived to eat another day, while one of his feathered friends joined Dick at table.

(Click here to read more about locally grown birds that were served up for Thanksgiving dinner).

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Winterim Hike Schedule Now Available!

The dates for all Winterim 2011-2012 hikes have been posted on the "Upcoming Hikes" page of the Meandering in Marin on Tuesdays blog.

You can view and print the details for all of these hikes from a link on that page, or by clicking here.

Bahia Hike (11/29/10) Preview

For our next hike we'll head north to the Novato area and do some bird watching on a portion of the Marin County Open Space lands. (Click here for a recap of our 2009 hike).

Here's Wendy's description of the outing: "This is a wonderful birding area! I'll bring a spotting scope, but bring binoculars if you have them. We usually see at least eight species of ducks, as well as swans, grebes, and shorebirds.”


Directions to trailhead: Take Highway 101 and exit on Atherton Avenue in Novato. Go east, until Bugeia Lane splits left and Atherton goes right. Take Bugeia which becomes Bahia and park at the end of the street. 

Driving time from College of Marin: 35 minutes. No restrooms. 

Carpoolers can meet at 9:20 a.m. at the Terra Linda Park & Ride lot on the east side of Highway 101 at the Smith Ranch Road exit.
  
Weather forecast: As of Wednesday, November 23, the weather forecast for this hike was patchy fog, otherwise mostly sunny, with a high near 66. (Click here for an updated National Weather Service forecast).

More on this hike: Hiking in this particular areas isn't covered by any of the trail guides which Dick Jordan has, but you can click here for the Marin County Open Space District's description of the Rush Creek area.

Samuel P. Taylor Hike Photos Now Online!

Photos taken by Theresa Fisher during our November 15th hike in Samuel P. Taylor State Park are now online!

View them on the Meandering blog or click here for the on-line album.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Sky Oaks Hike (Nov. 22) Preview

This week we'll in the MMWD watershed near Fairfax. Here's Wendy's description of the hike:

"This loop starts out in oak/bay/madrone habitat, but we'll also see redwoods and some grassland. This is usually a good mushroom hike with Boletes, Amanitas, Waxy Caps, Milky Caps and more."  (Click here to read about our hike in this general area on October 24,  2008).

Directions to trailhead: Take Sir Francis Drake Boulevard into Fairfax. Jog left and make an immediate right in front of the movie theater. The first left puts you on Bolinas Avenue. Follow this until you see the sign on your left for Lake Bon Tempe and Lake Lagunitas. Follow the road to the toll booth by Sky Oaks Ranger Station. (Click here for the MMWD map and directions).

The day use fee is $8.  You can use $1, $5, or $10 bills and coins at the automated pay station, or a Visa or Mastercard. Annual entrance passes for Marin residents are normally $60 ($30 for those 62 and older), but after September 1st you can buy one for half of those prices and the pass will be valid through January 31, 2012.  (You pay the annual pass fee at the automated pay station, then have to either stop at the Sky Oaks Ranger Station on the way out and ask them to send your receipt to the main office in Corte Madera which will issue the pass and mail it to you, or you have to send or take the receipt to that office yourself).

Time: 25 minutes from College of Marin. Portapotty in parking lot.  Carpoolers can meet at St. Rita's Church at 9:25 am.

Weather forecast: As of Sunday, November 20th, the weather forecast for this hike was Partly sunny, with a high near 60, southeast wind between 3 and 5 mph. (Click here for an updated National Weather service forecast).

More on this hike: Hike C12 (Taylor-Concrete Pipe-Bullfrog Fire Road) in the Martins' book, Hiking Marin, shows the area where we will be hiking (our route may differ) in this part of the MMWD watershed.  (Click here to view and print the MMWD map of this area).

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Muir Woods Hike Photos Now Online!

Photos taken by Theresa Fisher during our November 8th Muir Woods hike are now online!

View them on the Meandering blog or click here for the on-line album.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Samuel P. Taylor State Park Hike (11/15) Preview

This week we'll head toward West Marin and stop at Samuel P. Taylor State Park. We'll hike up towards, but not all the way to the summit, of Mount Barnabe. Here's Wendy's description of the hike: "This may be only mountain named for a mule! We’re not going all the way to the lookout on the top, so we’ll keep within our 1000’ elevation gain limit. (Mount Barnabe is 1446’; click here for photos taken from the fire lookout). The way up is longer and more gradual (about 5% grade), but you’ll want your hiking poles for the shorter fire road down. We’ll stop by the Samuel and Sarah Taylor’s grave site."

Directions: Take Sir Francis Drake Boulevard past the main park entrance. As you head west, watch for the sign for Devil’s Gulch on your right and the dirt parking area on your left.

Time: 40 minutes from College of Marin. No restrooms at trailhead. (Use ones at main park entrance as you pass by.) Carpoolers can meet at St. Rita's Church in Fairfax at 9:15 am.

Weather Forecast: As of Wednesday afternoon, November 9th, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was mostly sunny, with a high near 57. (Click here for an updated forecast).

More On This Hike: Hike "D11 Devil's Gulch to Mt. Barnabe" in the Martins' book, Hiking Marin, shows the trails we'll follow, although we'll skip the sidetrip to the summit.  You can find the trails on the park brochure available in PDF format from the park's Website.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Steep Ravine Hike Photos Now Online!

Photos taken by Theresa Fisher during our November 1st Steep Ravine hike are now online!

View them on the Meandering blog or click here for the on-line album.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Dipsea to Ben Johnson Hike (11/8) Preview

Having It Both Ways On the Hillside Trail This week we head south in the County and back into the federal parklands.  Here's Wendy's description of the hike: "Instead of racing up the Dipsea, we’ll stop to admire ancient redwoods, beautiful views, and hopefully some mushrooms."  (Click here to read the recap of our 2/10/09 hike on these trails).

Directions to trailhead: From Highway 101 take the Stinson Beach exit, turn left (west) on Shoreline Highway, right on Panoramic Highway and left on Muir Woods Road. Meet at Muir Woods Parking Lot #2. Time: 35 minutes from College of Marin. Restrooms at trailhead. (Carpoolers can meet at the Greenbrae Park & Ride lot near the intersection of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and Highway 101 at 9:10 am).

Weather forecast: As of Thursday, November 3, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was mostly sunny, with a high near 65. (Click here for an updated forecast).

More on this hike: We'll hike up the Dipsea Trail, then descend back to the floor of Muir Woods on the Ben Johnson Trail. (Click here to view and download the park trail map). If you have Tracy Salcedo-Chourre's book, Exploring Point Reyes National Seashore and Golden Gate National Recreation Area, you'll see that she proposes hiking this route in the reverse direction (up the Ben Johnson, down the Dipsea) from our plan, but her book will at least give you an idea of what our hike will be like.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Tundra Swan at Abbott's Lagoon?

While hiking on Saturday, October 29 near Abbott's Lagoon, Dick Jordan's wife, Cindy, encountered a group of birders looking for a swan.  Later in the afternoon, she spotted a large white bird flying overhead near the footbridge at the outlet of the lagoon.  The bird may have been a tundra swan --- a possible sighting of one at Drakes Bay was reported last Saturday.

Latest Hike Photos Now Online!

Photos taken by Theresa Fisher during our October 25 Bootjack to Mountain Theater hike are now online!

View them on the Meandering blog or click here for the on-line album.

East Peak Mt. Tam Hike (11/1) Preview

Mount Tam This week we once again hike in Mount Tamalpais State Park.

This lovely loop takes up be California torreya trees with their nutmeg-like nuts, past scenic Inspiration Point, to beautiful Colier Spring where we lunch under the redwoods. We'll take Northside Trail to International Trail after lunch.

Directions to trailhead:  Take the Stinson Beach/Highway 1 exit off Highway 101. Go west through Tam Valley and up onto the ridge.

Turn right onto Panoramic Highway and follow signs to Mt. Tamalpais. Keep going up the mountain, and when you get to Pantoll at the crest of Panoramic Highway (beyond Bootjack, where our hike to the Mountain Theater began), turn to the right and head uphill.  When you top out on this road, turn right and keep going until the road ends at the East Peak parking lot. (Parking costs $8/day unless you have a park pass). Click here for a map of Mt. Tam that you can view and print out).

1 hour from College of Marin.  Carpoolers can meet at the Greenbrae Parking & Ride lot at 8:55 am. Restrooms at trailhead.

Weather forecast: As of Saturday, October 29, the National Weather forecast for the hike was mostly sunny with a high near 73.  (Click here for an updated forecast).

More on this hike:  Hike B21 (Northside - Colier – Lakeview Trails) in the Martins’ book, Hiking Marin, shows the trails we’ll be taking.  You can also view and the trails on page five of the Mount Tamalpais State Park brochure.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Latest Hike Photos Now Online!

Photos taken by Theresa Fisher during our October 18 Tennessee Valley hike are now online!

View them on the Meandering blog or click here for the on-line album.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Fall 2 Hike List

In case you didn't get Wendy's e-mail, here is a list of all of the upcoming "Fall 2" hikes.

This list is also on the "Upcoming Hikes" page of the Meandering blog.

  • October 25 - Bootjack to Mountain Theater, Mount Tam
  • November 1 - East Peak, Mount Tam State Park
  • November 8 - Dipsea to Ben Johnson, Muir Woods
  • November 15 - Samuel P. Taylor State Park
  • November 22 - Sky Oaks, MMWD
  • November 29 - Bahia Open Space, Novato
  • December 6 - Lake Lagunitas "Final Exam", MMWD
Click here to view and print a complete list of Fall 2 Tuesday Hikes




Bootjack to Mountain Theater Hike (10/25) Preview

A mostly shady trail takes us up to the Mountain Theater where you’ll learn the history of its construction and the tradition of drama* on the Mountain.  Lunch at the historic West Point Inn."

(*The Mountain Theater - a.k.a. The Cushing Memorial Theater- in Mount Tamalpais State Park was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. The natural-stone amphitheater seats 3,750 people and features the Mountain Play each spring, produced every year since 1913).  (Click here for a recap of our February 9, 2010 hike).
.
Directions to Trailhead:  Take the Stinson Beach/Highway 1 exit off Highway 101. Go west through Tam Valley and up onto the ridge. Turn right onto Panoramic Highway and follow signs to Mt. Tamalpais.  Bootjack is about 2 miles past Mountain Home.

As you drive up the mountain, look for the Bootjack picnic area and parking lot ($8/car if you don't have a state park pass) on your right --- if you get to Pantoll at the crest of Panoramic Highway, you've gone too far and need to turn around and drive back down the mountain. (Click here for a map of Mt. Tam that you can view and print out).

Restrooms at trailhead and lunch stop. Driving time from College of Marin: 55 minutes.  Carpoolers meet at Greenbrae Park & Ride Lot at 9:00 a.m.

Weather forecast:  As of Saturday, October 22, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was mostly sunny, with a high near 67.  (Click here for an updated forecast).

More on this hike:  Hike "B12 Bootjack - Rock Springs Trails" in the Martins' book, Hiking Marin, shows the trails in this area although we could take a slightly different route.  (Click here to view a copy of the Mount Tamalpais State Park brochure; the park map on page 6 shows the trails).

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Soup and Wine du Jour

If you liked the Blood Mary Soup that Dick Jordan made for today's "Final Exam" luncheon, click here to view and download the recipe.

Dick used heirloom tomatoes (fairly cheap in the grocery stores in September-October), but any tomatoes, including Romas, would probably work okay.  He's found that it normally takes about 2 hours (at 350 degrees) to roast large heirloom tomatoes (cut in half before roasting), much longer than the 25 minutes suggested in the recipe.

Dick added more horseradish, Tobasco and Worcestershire sauce than called for --- start with what the recipe recommends, then add more if it doesn't seem spicy enough for you.

Dick used vegetable broth instead of chicken broth as called for in the recipe.

Sour cream could probably be substituted for creme fraiche.

The red wine that Dick brought today is a blend called "The Duke 8" made by Wellington Vineyards in the Sonoma Valley. Its composition varies a bit from year.  This year's "The Duke 9" is still available (at $8/bottle it's a fantastic red wine bargain), but only at the winery's tasting room (or shipped to you after ordering online), and it will go fast as only a few hundred cases are made.

The rose was a 2010 Toad Hollow Dry Rose of Pinot Noir which you may be able to find at United Market for about $10/bottle.

The white wine was a 2009 Hanna Sauvignon Blanc.  You can probably find the 2010 vintage at Costco for about $11/bottle, far less than the $19/bottle at-the-winery price or the $15.99/bottle price at BevMo.






Friday, October 14, 2011

Latest Hike Photos Now Online!

Photos taken by Theresa Fisher during our October 4 Estero Trail hike are now online!

View them on the Meandering blog or click here for the on-line album.

To see the photos Theresa took during during last Tuesday's Laguna Trailhead-Bayview hike, click here.

Tennessee Valley "Final Exam" Hike (10/18) Preview

Down In The Valley Per Wendy, "this loop [around Tennessee Valley] features panoramic views of the Bay. We often see Condominium spiders, several species of hawks, and sometimes find a bobcat out hunting. 
 
REMEMBER TO BRING PLATE, UTENSILS, AND SOMETHING TO SHARE FOR THE GOURMET FINAL EXAM! (Let’s think green and try to cut down on paper and plastic throw-aways as much as possible). We’ll leave the food in the cars and eat when we get back, but bring your water bottle."  (Click here for a recap of our October 2008 hike).

Directions to trailhead: Take the Stinson Beach exit from Highway 101. Follow signs to Stinson Beach and Muir Woods, then turn left on Tennessee Valley Road and take it to the parking lot at the end.

40 minutes from College of Marin. Carpoolers can meet at the Greenbrae Park & Ride lot 9:15 am. Portable toilets at the trailhead.

Weather forecast: As of Friday, October 14, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was mostly sunny,with a high near 68.  (Click here for an updated forecast)..

More information on this hike: Hike A8 Miwok – Coyote Ridge – Coastal Trails in the Martin's book, Hiking Marin, shows our route from Tennessee Valley towards Mill Valley, westward to ocean views, then back east to the parking lot.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

This Weekend: Dick Jordan on The Radio with Rick Steves

This weekend on the Travels with Rick Steves radio show, you can hear Dick Jordan, European travel guru, Rick Steves, and Rick’s special guest, Fabian Reuger, talk about Germany—especially the city of Dresden, Dick’s favorite stop in Germany during his month-long trip across Europe in 2009.

The show will air on public radio stations across the U.S. on Saturday, October 8th, and Sunday, October 9th. (Dick’s early-rising friends living in the San Francisco Bay Area can hear the show on KDFC at FM 89.9 and 90.3, Sunday at 6 a.m., Pacific Time).

What if you miss hearing the show "live”? Not a problem. Go to the Travels with Rick Steves program archives Website on October 9th and you can stream the program to your computer. You can also subscribe to podcasts of Travels with Rick Steves, or download and listen to a specific episode using iTunes.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Laguna Trailhead-Bayview-Loop Hike (10/11) Preview

Today we take a different route from a familiar trailhead in Point Reyes National Seashore to make a 4.6 mile loop. We get our exercise on the uphill before lunch and then stroll downhill to complete the loop.  (Click here for a recap of our November, 2008, election day hike).

Directions to trailhead: Note that this special advisory from the San Anselmo Police Department for the day of the hike that could affect those of us coming through San Anselmo and Fairfax to reach Point Reyes --- "Road work and lane closures (in both directions of travel) are scheduled to be performed on Sir Francis Drake Blvd. from 9 am – 3 pm. The lane closures will be between San Francisco Boulevard and Suffield Avenue (near the border of Fairfax). Drivers should expect delays during these hours and should plan accordingly. Plan to take alternative routes, if possible." 

While we should be driving to and through Fairfax before Sir Francis Drake is closed westbound in the morning, it is possible that traffic headed toward Fairfax on both Sir Francis Drake and Center Boulevard before 9 a.m. will be heavy if drivers leave earlier than usual for their destinations.

After the hike, we will probably get back to St. Rita's Church sometime between 2:30-3:00 p.m., shortly before or just as Sir Francis Drake reopens.  However, eastbound traffic on both Sir Francis Drake and Center Boulevard after 3 p.m. could be heavier than usual due to the closure of Drake earlier in the day.

Take Sir Francis Drake Boulevard west to Olema. Turn right on Route 1, then make an immediate left onto Bear Valley Road. Continue past Park Headquarters (turn in if you need a restroom --- there are none at the trailhead or along the hike's route) and go left on Limantour Road. Turn left at the sign for the youth hostel. Follow that road until you see a right turn across a bridge to the Laguna Trailhead by the Clem Miller Education Center. Park in the parking lot.

To save yourself a mile walk back to you car at the end of the hike, park at the Muddy Hollow parking lot and ride with a friend to the Laguna trailhead where we'll start our hike.

55 minutes from College of Marin. Carpoolers can meet at St. Rita's Church in Fairfax at 9:00 a.m.

No restrooms at trail head or along the route of the hike.

Weather Forecast: As of Tuesday afternoon, October 4, the National Weather Service forecast for the October 11th hike was sunny with a high of 59.  (Click here for an updated forecast).

More on this hike:  We'll follow the route of hike G5 in the Martins' book, Hiking Marin, by departing from the Laguna Trailhead, climbing up the Laguna Trail, then going down Sky Trail, across the Limantour Road, and descending the Bayview Trail to the Muddy Hollow parking lot.  (If you left your car at the Laguna Trailhead and can't hitch a ride back to it, you've got a final half-mile walk back to your wheels). The Point Reyes National Seashore North District Trail Map shows the trails we'll follow.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Tomales Point Hike Photos Now Online!

Photos taken by Theresa Fisher during last Tuesday's Tomales Point hike are now online!

View them on the Meandering blog or click here for the on-line album

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Update on Sir Francis Drake Re-Paving

There's good news, and there's bad news, about the re-paving of Sir Francis Drake.

The good news:  It has been canceled for Tuesday, October 4th, because of the threat of rain.

The bad news:  Dick Jordan's wife, Cindy, reports Lane markers have been removed, making driving on Drake an "interesting" if not down-right hazardous experience.  You might want to take Center Boulevard from the Hub to Fairfax.

More bad news:  The work has been rescheduled to Tuesday, October 11th, date of the next hike at the Laguna Trailhead in Point Reyes National Seashore.



Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Estero Trail Hike (10/4) Preview

Home Bay, Cloudy Day This week we return to Point Reyes National Seashore for our first outing of October.  This is not a loop hike, but there are marvelous views!  (Click here for a brief recap of our July 13, 2010 hike).

Directions to trailhead: Note that this special advisory from the San Anselmo Police Department for the day of the hike that could affect those of us coming through San Anselmo and Fairfax to reach Point Reyes --- "Road work and lane closures (in both directions of travel) are scheduled to be performed on Sir Francis Drake Blvd. from 9 am – 3 pm. The lane closures will be between San Francisco Boulevard and Suffield Avenue (near the border of Fairfax). Drivers should expect delays during these hours and should plan accordingly. Plan to take alternative routes, if possible." 

While we should be driving to and through Fairfax before Sir Francis Drake is closed westbound in the morning, it is possible that traffic headed toward Fairfax on both Sir Francis Drake and Center Boulevard before 9 a.m. will be heavy if drivers leave earlier than usual for their destinations.

After the hike, we will probably get back to St. Rita's Church sometime between 2:30-3:00 p.m., shortly before or just as Sir Francis Drake reopens.  However, eastbound traffic on both Sir Francis Drake and Center Boulevard after 3 p.m. could be heavier than usual due to the closure of Drake earlier in the day.

Turn right at Olema and make an immediate left onto Bear Valley Road. (Use the restrooms at the park's Visitor Center in Bear Valley if you do not want to wait until you reach those at the trailhead). Continue until you pick up Sir Francis Drake again.

Go through Inverness. Go past the turn off to the right onto Pierce Point Road, then pass Mt. Vision Road on your left, and then in one mile you'll come to the road to Estero Trail. Take this road to the parking lot at the trailhead.

Time: 1 hour from College of Marin. Carpoolers can meet at St. Rita's at 8:55 am.  Restrooms at the trailhead.

Weather forecast: As of Tuesday evening, September 27th, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was mostly cloudy, with a a chance of showers and a high near 55. (Click here for an updated forecast). Real-time weather reporting for the Point Reyes Lighthouse is also available (click here).

A slight chance of showers is forecast for the area on Sunday and Monday, but hopefully the trail won't be as muddy as it was when we went slip-sliding around in May of 2009.

More on this hike: "Hike G11 Estero - Drakes Head Trails" in the Martins' book, Hiking Marin, shows where we'll be hiking, although not necessarily our exact route. Two hikes ("Estero Trail to Sunset Beach" and "Estero Trail to Drakes Head" in Tracy Salcedo-Chourre's book, Exploring Point Reyes National Seashore and Golden Gate National Recreation Area also cover this area). The trails are also shown on the park's North District Hiking Trails map. The Google Earth image gives a bird's eye view of this part of the park. (Click on the photo to open a larger image in your Web browser).

Friday, September 23, 2011

Tomales Point Hike (9/27) Preview

Tule Elk TF We return to Point Reyes National Seashore this coming week. Wendy says that "on this hike we'll look for the tule elk, once at the brink of extinction and now making a heartening comeback. This Point is also special for its views."  
(Click here for a recap of our September 2008 hike; Dick Jordan was traveling in September of 2009 and 2010 so there are no recaps for the past two times we did the hike in September).

Directions to trailhead: Take Sir Francis Drake Boulevard west from Fairfax. Turn right at Olema and make an immediate left onto Bear Valley Road. Continue until you pick up Sir Francis Drake again. Go through Inverness. Where the road veers left to Drake's Beach and the lighthouse, bear right. This puts you on Pierce Point Road. Follow it to the parking lot at the end of the road.

Restrooms:  Stop at the Bear Valley Visitor Center to use the flush toilets, or pull off Pierce Point Road at the parking lots for the trails to Abbott’s Lagoon or Kehoe Beach to use the porta-potties. When reach the parking lot for the Tomales Point Trail you can head downhill to McClure's Beach to use the pit toilet there before returning to the trailhead parking lot to meet the group.

Click here to view and print a map of the Seashore showing these roads and locations.

Time: 1 hour 20 minutes from College of Marin.  Carpoolers can meet at St. Rita’s at 8:35 a.m.

Weather forecast: As of the morning of Thursday, September 16,the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was mostly sunny with a high near 60. (Clear here for an updated forecast).

More on this hike: Hike G18 – Tomales Point Trail in the Martins' book, Hiking Marin, is 9.4 mile roundtrip hike to Tomales Point and back.  We’ll only do about half of that route, stopping well short of the Point.

Mt. Home to Bootjack Hike Photos

Theresa Fisher decided early on during Tuesday's Mountain Home to Bootjack hike that getting her brains fried under the hot sun made no sense at all, so she turned back after 15 minutes and called it a day.

Here are some photos she took during last year's hike.  View them on the Meandering blog or click here for the on-line album

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Laguna - Coast Trail Hike Photos Now Online!

Photos taken by Theresa Fisher during last Tuesday's Laguna Trailhead to Coast Trail loop hike are now online!

View them on the Meandering blog or click here for the on-line album.

Revised Fall 1 2011 Hike Descriptions

The complete descriptions of all of the Fall 1 2011 hikes has been revised.  (The upcoming September 20 Mountain Home to Bootjack hike was inadvertently omitted).

Click here to get the revised list, or find it on the "Upcoming Hikes" page on the Meandering blog.

Mountain Home to Boojack (9/20) Hike Preview

Sun Above, Fog Below Per Wendy, "this hike takes us through redwood forest, over Fern Creek, into chaparral, and finally to lunch at Bootjack. The return is fairly level and shady."  (Click here for a recap of our October 2008 hike --- Dick Jordan was in British Columbia when we did this hike in 2010, but click here for the photo album for that hike.).

Directions to trailhead: Take the Stinson Beach/Highway 1 exit off Highway 101. Go west through Tam Valley and up onto the ridge. Turn right onto Panoramic Highway and follow signs to Mt. Tamalpais. Drive about 4 miles. When you reach Mountain Home Inn on your right, park in the parking lot across the road on your left.

50 minutes from College of Marin. Carpoolers can meet at the Greenbrae Park & Ride lot between 9:00 at am.  Restrooms at trailhead and Bootjack.

Weather forecast: As of Sunday, September 18, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was sunny, with a high near 86, and west northwest wind around 5 mph. click here for an updated forecast.

More on this hike:  Hike B9 – Matt Davis – Troop 80 Trails – in the Martin's book, Hiking Marin, shows the area where we’ll be hiking.

Monday, September 12, 2011

Laguna Trailhead Hike (9/13) Preview

Coast Camp This week we return to Point Reyes National Seashore for the first hike of the Fall season.  We explore four habitats: coastal scrub, beach, marsh, and a riparian (streamside) habitat with alders and willows. Lunch at the beach. We may see some of the tule elk that have been transferred from Tomales Point.


Directions to trailhead: Take Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. west to Olema. Turn right on Route 1, then make an immediate left onto Bear Valley Road. Continue past Park Headquarters (stop here if you need a restroom --- there is none at the trailhead) and go left on Limantour Road.

Turn left at the sign for the youth hostel. Follow that road until you see a right turn across a bridge to the Laguna Trailhead by the Clem Miller Education Center. Park in the parking lot.

55 minutes from College of Marin. Carpoolers can meet at St. Rita’s Church in Fairfax at 9:00 a.m.

No restrooms at trailhead. Outhouse en route before lunch.

Weather forecast:  Here is the National Weather Service forecast for the hike, as of Monday morning, September 12:  Patchy fog before 11am. Otherwise, cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 61. West northwest wind between 8 and 13 mph.  (Click here for an updated forecast).

More on this hike:  Dick Jordan thinks we last did this hike in June of 2008.  (Unfortunately, he wasn’t along, so there is no recap of that outing). 

From the Laguna Trailhead we'll go southwest on the Laguna Trail to its junction with the Fire Lane Trail [we hiked this section in the opposite direction as the final leg of our August 16, 2011 hike from Sky Trail to the Laguna Trailhead], follow that down to the ocean, take a short “side trip” to Coast Camp to use the “facilities”, then hike northward paralleling the sea on the Coast Trail  before turning back inland to the Laguna Trailhead.  Total distance covered should be approximately 5 miles.

The “Laguna-Coast Trail Loop” hike in Exploring Point Reyes National Seashore and Golden Gate National Recreation Area by Tracy Salcedo-Chourre describes the route we’ll take.  The trails we’ll follow are shown on the the North District Hiking Map on the Point Reyes National Seashore Website.

You will also find them on the map for hike “G4 Sky – Woodward Valley – Coast Trails” in the Martins’ book, Hiking Marin, although we are not doing that specific hike.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Mt. Home to Muir Woods Hike Photos Online!

Photos taken by Theresa Fisher during last Tuesday's Mountain Home Inn to Muir Woods hike are now online! 

View them on the Meandering blog or click here for the on-line album.

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Update On State Park Closures

On Saturday, September 3, the San Francisco Chronicle ran a story on the process of reviewing the 70 state parks slated to close during the current fiscal year, and how those closures might be prevented. The following video clips on two state parks in Marin slated for closure, Tomales Bay and China Camp, can be found on the newspaper's Website, SFGate.com.

 

China Camp State Park

 



(Click here if the video player does not appear in your e-mail program or Web browser windows.)

 

Tomales Bay State Park

 



(Click here if the video player does not appear in your e-mail program or Web browser windows.)

Friday, September 2, 2011

Corrected List of Fall 1 Hikes

You can find a corrected list of the entire Fall 1 hike descriptions on the Meandering in Marin on Tuesdays blog under the "Upcoming Hikes" tab, or click here to view and print out a list.

Mountain Home to Muir Woods Hike (9/6) Preview

Ladybug Traffic Jam Here's Wendy's description of our first hike of Fall:  "Today we’ll hike down to Muir Woods and learn how it became a National Monument. Lunch at Camp Eastwood where you’ll hear the fascinating life story of intrepid botanist Alice Eastwood."  (Click here for a recap of our September 2008 hike).

Directions to trailhead: Take the Stinson Beach/Highway 1 exit off Highway 101. Go west through Tam Valley and up onto the ridge. Turn right onto Panoramic Highway and follow signs to Mt. Tamalpais. Drive about 4 miles. When you reach Mountain Home Inn on your right, park in the parking lot across the road on your left.

Time: 50 minutes from College of Marin. Carpoolers can meet at the Greenbrae Park & Ride lot at 9:00 a.m. Outhouse at trailhead and restrooms at lunch.

Weather Forecast: As of Friday, September 2, the National Weather Service forecast for the day of the hike was patchy fog before 11am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 81. (Click here for an updated forecast).

More On This Hike: Hike B6 – Muir Woods – TCC – Dipsea Trails and hike B7 – Panoramic – Lost – Sierra Trails in the Martin's book, Hiking Marin, shows the area where we'll be hiking, but our route will not cover all of the trails taken on either of those hikes

Monday, August 29, 2011

Save $$$ On Tomorrow's Angel Island Hike

Just a reminder that you can saving money on parking in Tiburon to catch the ferry to Angel Island by meeting at the Greenbrae Park & Ride lot and carpooling.  (Linda Oquist is looking for a ride from there).

Also, you can knock the $3.00 park entrance fee off the $13.50 round-trip ferry ride if you have a State Park day pass to hand to the ferry operator along with a check or cash for $10.50 as you board.

Friday, August 26, 2011

Angel Island Hike (August 30) Preview

Angel Island State Park hasn't been closed (at least not yet), so we'll head there for our last summer hike.  (The College of Marin Fall 1 hiking series begins the following week). Here's Wendy's description of the outing: Views, butterflies, and history! We'll go to the top of Mt. Livermore, eat lunch there, and take the last ferry of the day back at 3:30 p.m.

Directions to the ferry dock: We'll take the 10 a.m. ferry from Tiburon to the island. Bring cash or check (credit cards not accepted) for the ferry ($13.50 round trip,  pay as you board, includes the $3.00 park entrance fee which you can save if you have a State Park day pass). (Bring $17 in cash or check for Wendy, too!).

Allow time to park and don't miss the boat! (Although it's only 10-minute trip, the next ferry doesn't run until 11:00 a.m.). The ferry dock is at 21 Main Street. Parking gets more expensive the closer you get to the ferry. There is sometimes on-street free parking if you make a left on Mar West, the corner the library is on. (See map at left). Allow ten minutes to walk (click here to view and print Mapquest walking directions) from there to the ferry.

Here is a map of parking lots (cash only, no credit or debit cards, accepted) and the ferry dock provided by the Angel Island Association and the ferry operator:


Restrooms at ferry in Tiburon and on Angel Island. Carpool from Greenbrae Park and Ride at 9:15 a.m.

Weather forecast: As Friday, August 26, the National Weather Service forecast for Angel Island on Tuesday, August 30 was patchy fog before 11am, otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 64. . (Click here for an updated forecast).

More information on this hike: The Martin's book, Hiking Marin, sets out two hikes on the island: "A12 North Ridge Trail to Mt. Livermore" and "A13 Angel Island Perimeter Trail."

Click here to go to the Angel Island State Park page on the California State Park's Web site. Click here for on-line information provided by the Angel Island Association.

You'll find a map of the island on page 4 of the state park brochure. To listen to a podcast about Angel Island, click here.

If you have a smartphone, you can get one of free CalParks mobile apps, available for iPhone and Android.

Here's a Google Earth bird's eye view of the island: