Friday, April 27, 2012

Indian Valley Open Space Hike Photos Now Online!

Photos taken by Theresa Fisher during this week's Indian Valley Open Space hike are now online!

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

Wolf Ridge (5/1) Hike Preview

Here's Wendy's description of this annual Spring outing: "Wildflowers and views! "First of spring" flowers for this hike usually include cobweb thistle and bee plant, and we sometimes see the amazing fairy moth hanging out by oceanspray."  (Click here for a recap of our 2010 hike.  This is the on-line album of photos taken during our previous hikes in this area).

Directions to trailhead: From Highway 101 south bound, take the last exit before the Golden Gate Bridge. Turn right, go under the freeway, and get in the left turn lane to go through the one way tunnel with the 5 minute traffic light. Park at the end of the road. (Rodeo Beach will be on the other side of the road). Time: 40 minutes from COM. Restrooms at trailhead. (Carpoolers can meet at Greenbrae Park & Ride lot at 9:15 am).

Weather forecast: As of Friday, April 27th, the National Weather Service forecast for this year’s hike was patchy fog before 11am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 64. (Click here for an updated forecast).

More on this hike: Hike "A5 Coastal - Wolf Ridge - Miwok Trails" in the Martins' book, Hiking Marin, shows our route for this 5 mile-plus hike with a 1,000' elevation gain, as does the "Coastal-Miwok Loop" hike in Tracy Salcedo-Chourre's book, Exploring Point Reyes National Seashore and Golden Gate National Recreation Area. (Hill 88, our probable lunch spot, is 960' above sea level with lovely views on a clear day). The Google Earth photo below shows the area. (Click on it to open a larger image in your Web browser).


Friday, April 20, 2012

Indian Valley Open Space Hike (4/24) Preview

Two loops combine to make an interesting hike.  Tomcat Clover,
Fiddleneck, and Plectritis should be in bloom this week, and if we haven't heard the first Pacific Slope Flycatcher yet, we often here it at IVC.  (Click here for a recap of our 2010 hike).

Directions to trailhead: Take Highway 101 to the Ignacio Boulevard exit. Go west and follow Ignacio Boulevard into the Indian Valley College campus. Our hike starts from parking lot #7 by the athletic field. (Click here to view and print a map of the campus). Bring a dozen quarters to get a ticket from the parking machines ($3/day ). 25 minutes from College of Marin. Restrooms at trailhead. (Carpoolers can meet at Smith Ranch Park & Ride lot at 9:15 a.m.).

Weather forecast: As of Friday, April 20, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was mostly sunny, with a high near 68. (Click here for an updated forecast).

More on this hike: Two hikes in the Martin's book, Hiking Marin, cover the area that we'll traverse: "E6 Indian Valley FR - Waterfall Trail" and "E7 Schwindt - Wildcat Trails". You can also view and print the map for the Marin County Open Space District's Indian Valley preserve. (For another hike description and more photos of the IVC Open Space, check out this page on the "Bay Area Hiker" Web site). The Google Earth photo below shows this area. (Click on the photo to open a larger image in your Web browser).


Green Gulch Hike Photos Now Online!

Photos taken by Theresa Fisher during this week's Green Gulch hike are now online!

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

Friday, April 13, 2012

Green Gulch Hike (4/17) Preview

Here’s Wendy’s description for next week's hike:  “Today we get to see the beautiful organic vegetable garden at the Zen Center’s Green Gulch Farms on our way up to the Coyote Ridge Trail. Lunch overlooking the ocean on our way back down to Muir Beach.”  (Click here for a recap or here for the on-line album of photos from a previous hike on these trails).

Directions to trailhead:  Take the Stinson Beach/Highway 1 exit off Highway 101. Go through Tam Junction, and take Shoreline Highway and follow signs to Muir Beach.

Restrooms at trailhead. Time: 55 minutes from COM.  Carpoolers can meet at the Greenbrae Park and Ride lot at 9:00 a.m.

Weather forecast:  Winter seems determined to hang on this year.  As of Friday, April 13,  the forecast for the day of the hike was mostly sunny, with a high near 28.  (Click here for an updated forecast).

More on this hike:  Although our actual route may vary, hike A10 (Coastal – Coyote Ridge – Green Gulch) in the Martins’ book, Hiking Marin, covers this area.  (Click here for more information on Green Gulch Farm).  The following Google Earth image shows where we will be hiking.

Green Gulch Google Earth View

Friday, April 6, 2012

Chimney Rock Hike Photos Now Online!

Photos taken by Theresa Fisher during this week's Chimney Rock hike are now online!

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

Thursday, April 5, 2012

April 10 - NO HIKE

There is no hike on Tuesday, April 10th.

Our next hike will be on April 17th at Green Gulch in the GGNRA near Stinson Beach.  The hike preview will come out soon.