Wolf Ridge Hike (5/7) 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. 

Because of construction work on Alexander Avenue, the one-way Baker-Barry Tunnel under the hill into the Marin Headlands is closed.

To reach the trailhead, turn left at the end of the exit off Highway 101, then drive up Conzelman Road with its spectacular view of across to San Francisco, turn right onto McCollough Road and head downhill. At the bottom of the hill, take a left onto Bunker Road.

About halfway along Rodeo Lagoon Bunker Road (which is also under construction) bears right uphill to The Marin Mammal Center.  At that intersection, bear left and follow Mitchell Road to its end.

Park in the lot on the right side of the road. (Rodeo Beach will be on the other side of the road).

Here's a map of the roads you'll follow from Highway 101 to the trailhead.

View Larger Map

Because you could encounter road construction along Bunker and Mitchell Roads, you may want to allow a bit longer than these usual driving times to the trailhead: 40 minutes from COM. Restrooms at trailhead. (Carpoolers can meet at Greenbrae Park & Ride lot at 9:15 am).

Weather forecast: As of Wednesday, May 1st, the National Weather Service forecast for this year’s hike was mostly sunny, with a high near 60. (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).