We
return to the MMWD watershed for our final hike of the 2014 Fall "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 or click here for photos from past hikes.)
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 old toll booth by Sky Oaks Ranger Station.
Unless you have an MMWD pass, continue past the old toll booth, pull over at the parking area on the right and pay the day use fee, and then continue driving until you reach the end of the road.
(Click here for the MMWD map and directions. Or click here for a MapQuest map showing the trailhead location; click on the number "1" to get driving directions and estimated travel time from your location).
The day use fee is $8. You can use $1, $5, or $10 bills (change is not given, coins aren't accepted) or Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express credit cards at the two automated pay station machines which are now at the parking area just beyond the entrance station. (Note that on our November 18th Sky Oaks hike some Meanderers had difficulty getting the pay station machines to accept a credit card with a chip.)
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, 2015. It doesn't appear that you can purchase a pass from the new automated pay station machines. You can buy one online or by sending a check to MMWD and it will be mailed to you, or you purchase one in person at the MMWD office at 220 Nellen Avenue in Corte Madera, on the west side of Highway 101(take the southbound Lucky Drive exit).
Time: 30 minutes from College of Marin. Outhouse in parking lot.
Carpoolers can meet at St. Rita's Church at 9:20 a.m. (Click here for a MapQuest map showing St. Rita's and directions and estimated driving time to the trailhead.)
Weather forecast: As of Wednesday December 3rd, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was a slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65. (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).
Although this is the final hike of the College of Marin Fall 2 session, we'll do the first "Winterim" hike on December 16th up Pine Mountain and down through the Elliott Nature Preserve near Fairfax.
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