Laguna Trailhead-Bayview-Loop Hike (8/14) 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). Here are a few photos from one of our past hikes in this area.

Directions to trailhead: Because of the ongoing repair work on the road through Samuel P. Taylor State Park, those driving west through San Rafael and Fairfax may wish to follow these directions instead of heading through the park to Olema:

• At the San Geronimo Golf Course, turn right onto Nicasio Valley Road.
• Drive through Nicasio.
• Turn left onto the Point-Reyes Petaluma Road.
• Drive west to Point Reyes Station.
• Turn left onto Route 1 in Point Reyes Station.
• Drive south on Route 1, then make a right turn 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 turn left onto 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 8:50 a.m.

(Theresa Fisher drove back through Samuel P. Taylor State Park after last week's Bear Valley-Arch Rock hike and said that she only had to wait about a minute at the stoplight in the construction area).

Weather Forecast: As of Saturday, August 11, the National Weather Service forecast for hike was patchy fog before 11am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 61.  (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.