Pine Mt./Elliott Preserve Hike (1/5) 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!

We'll kick off the new year with this annual "Winterim" hike. (Remember that registration for the College of Marin Winter 2016 hike series opens on Monday, January 4, 2016.)
 
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.  Maybe we'll see the first Milkmaids, or beat our earliest Indian Warrior sighting which was January 6th! (Click here for the recap of our hike in this area in January of 2009. There are a few photos from a past hike in this area in one our online albums.)


Directions to trailhead: We need some people to meet at the end of Cascade Drive in Fairfax at 9:20 a.m. (Click here for a MapQuest map with that location and click on the #1 to get directions to it). 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. (Click here for a MapQuest map with that location and click on the #1 to get directions to it.)

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 or may not 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 Wednesday, December 30th, the National Weather Service forecast for Fairfax on the day of the hike was rain likely, mostly cloudy, with a high near 54. (Click here for an updated forecast). Note that unlike College of Marin sessions hikes, rain can cancel "Winterim" outings. So on the morning of the hike, check your e-mail before you leave home to see if Wendy has cancelled the hike. She'll phone those who don't have e-mail.

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 instead of Elliott Preserve) on the District's Website, or click here for a map of this area).

New Book on California National Parks!

Just in time to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, San Francisco based Bay Area Travel Writers (batw.org) has just released Travel Features and Photos: California’s National Parks, Monuments, Trails, Seashores, and Historic Sites, a 130-page collection of stories and photographs about the Golden State's many federal parks.

Purchase it in print and get a free iPad digital copy or download a free PDF copy.

Dick Jordan is among the many travel writers who contributed their work to the book; it includes his stories about Lassen Volcanic National Park and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

Relax! No Hike This Week

Just a reminder that you have another week to rest up before hitting the trail with the Tuesday Meanderers again: There is no hike on Tuesday, December 29th.

Our first outing of 2016 will be on Tuesday, January 5th when we do the Pine Mountain to Elliott Preserve Open Space Shuttle Hike near Fairfax.

Wine Country Five Way Fungal Feast!

Mushrooms.

Once the rains begin we see them along the trail.

But rather than finding funghi during a hike, why need eat it in style in "wine country"?

(Photo courtesy of Ramekins)

Join Chef John Ash from 6:30-9:30 pm on Thursday evening, April 14, 2016 for a "hands-on" class at Ramekins cooking school in the Town of Sonoma to make and eat these five mushroom dishes from appetizers to dessert:

• Maitake Tempura with Ponzu Sauce
• Wild Mushroom Pate
• Chawan Mushi with Black Trumpet Mushrooms
• Hanger Steak with Red Wine-Oyster Mushroom Sauce
• Lemon Polenta Cake with Candy Cap Mushroom Custard Sauce

Two glasses of wine and a copy of all recipes is included in the $125/person class fee. Click here to register online.

Happy Holidays from The Meandering Blog!

Wishing all of you the happiest of holidays, wherever you may be meandering for the remainder of 2015!

(Andrew Wilkinson Flickr Photo)

The next Winterim hike is January 5 - Pine Mountain to Elliott Preserve Open Space Shuttle Hike, Fairfax.

COM Phone Registration SNAFU Fixed!

ESCOM Gold Card members who are entitled to register now for Winter College of Marin Community Education classes ran into a problem when they tried to phone the College of Marin last Thursday: The regular registration phone line was down.

(Flattop 341 Flickr Photo)

 As of today, Monday, December 21st, that line (415 485-9305) is working once again.

You can sign up for the Meandering Tuesday hiking series (class no. 9395b/924, free to at least some ESCOM Gold Card members) this week (Monday through Wednesday) by calling that number, or by registering in-person at Room 145 in the Student Services Building on the Kentfield campus (9 - noon, 1-4 pm).

COM is closed from December 24-January 3rd.

Online registration, and registration for all students, opens on Monday, January 4th.

Winter College of Marin Hike Information

While we will still be in "Winterim" until the end of January, complete information for all of the Winter 2016 College of Marin Tuesday hikes is now online.

Registration opens at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, January 4, 2016 (and probably 1-2 weeks earlier for ESCOM Gold Card members).

Here are the details about the course:

• Class Number: 924 W02
• Dates: 1/26-3/8/15
• Cost: $142 ($120 for ESCOM Gold Card Members)
• The entire College of Marin Winter Class Schedule is now online.
• Important note about credit card payments: Starting December 17, 2015, Community Education will no longer be accepting written credit card information as a form of payment.  To pay by credit card you must pay in person, over the phone, or online.  All mail-in registrations must be paid by check.

Sky Trail to Bear Valley Hike (12/15) Preview

We return to Point Reyes National Seashore on Tuesday, December 15th for our the first "Winterim" outing of 2015-2016.

The trail is about 7.3 miles long, but a lot of it is fairly level, so the hike is a bit easier than the distance implies.  

This is a shuttle hike, so CALL WENDY AT 415-457-3949 or 415-517-0488 or send her an e-mail her at bdreskin@comcast.net if you are coming! 

Note the earlier than usual meeting time at Bear Valley.

Directions to trailhead: We’ll meet at Bear Valley at 9:20 a.m. and carpool to Sky Trail. (Click here for a MapQuest map that shows the parking lot at Bear Valley; click on #1 to get driving directions and time from your location.)

(If you are running late, you drive directly to the Sky Trail trailhed. Click here for a MapQuest map showing the trailhead location; click on #1 to get driving directions and estimated travel time from your location). 

When we get to Mt. Wittenberg we’ll go down Old Pine to the Bear Valley Trail (which is always soggy, whether it has rained recently or not, so waterproof your boots!

We’ll need some people who are not in a rush to drive people back to Sky Trail after we reach the Bear Valley Visitor Center and parking lot.

Restrooms at Bear Valley, none at Sky Trail trailhead, but some as we pass Coast Camp.

Carpool leaves St. Rita Church in Fairfax at 8:45 a.m.

Weather forecast: As of Wednesday, December 9th, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was mostly sunny, with a high near 55.  (Click here for an updated forecast).

More on this hike:  "G3 Sky Trailhead to Bear Valley" in the Martins' book, Hiking Marin, is a version of this hike although we usually go straight at Junction #1 shown on their map and continue on to Sky Camp rather than take the detour up to Mt. Wittenberg (which we do on a separate loop hike from the Sky Trail trailhead) and then back down to the Sky Trail before continuing on to the Old Pine Trail, Divide Meadow and on to Bear Valley.  (Click here for the Seashore's South District Hiking Map which shows these trails).

The following Google Earth image gives a bird's eye view of where we'll be hiking:

Let Them Eat (Eggnog Pound) Cake!

What did Marie Antoinette serve her Christmas holiday guests at the end of a meal?

Why the very same Eggnog Pound Cake that Dick Jordan brought to yesterday's "Final Exam" post-hike luncheon, of course! Its so easy to make, that you can whip it up in no time on days so busy that you feel like you're losing your mind (if not your head)!

Click here to view and print an updated version of the recipe that appeared in Sunset magazine several years ago.

Lake Lagunitas “Final Exam” Hike (12/8) Preview

We return to the MMWD watershed for our final hike of the 2015 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.

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.

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.
 
The day use fee is $8.  You can use a credit card, $1, $5, or $10 bills (but not coins or $20 bills) at the automated pay station.

Annual watershed area parking passes for Marin residents are $60 ($30 for those 62 and older). You can buy them online or at the MMWD main office in Corte Madera.

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 ("A") and directions and estimated driving time to the trailhead ("1").

Weather forecast:  As of Tuesday December 1st, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was a slight chance of rain, partly sunny, with a high near 63. (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 and the last one in 2015 on December 15th, meeting at Bear Valley at Point Reyes National Seashore, carpooling to the trailhead at the crest of the Limantour road, and then going up Sky Trail and down to Bear Valley before shuttling drivers back to the trailhead.

Details on registering for the Winter 2016 College of Marin hiking series should be available in the near future.

Sky Oaks MMWD Hike (12/1) 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 a good mushroom hike with Boletes, Amanitas, Waxy Caps, Milky Caps and more if we've had some rain."

(Click here for a recap of our 2010 hike. 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 toll booth by Sky Oaks Ranger Station. Park at the dirt parking lot on the right, just past the toll station.

(Click here for the MMWD map and directions. Or click here for a MapQuest map showing the trailhead location. Click on #1 to get directions and driving time from your location.
 
The day use fee is $8.  You can use a credit card, $1, $5, or $10 bills and coins at the automated pay station.

Annual watershed area parking passes for Marin residents are $60 ($30 for those 62 and older). You can buy them online or at the MMWD main office in Corte Madera.

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 Wednesday, November 25th, the weather forecast for this hike was a chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61. (Click here for an updated National Weather service forecast).

More on this hike: Hike "C12 Taylor-Concrete Pipe-Bullfrog FR" 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).

Winterim Hike Schedule Now Available!

Although we still have three hikes left in the Fall 2 College of Marin session which ends on December 8th, Wendy has just released the list of pay-if-you-go "Winterim" hikes that will take place between December 15th and January 19th and before the 2016 Winter College of Marin Meandering hikes begin.

Click here to view and print out the "Winterim" hike list.

Cost is $20/hike, payable by cash or check made out to Wendy Dreskin.

Unlike those during the College of Marin sessions, most "Winterim" hikes are one-way, shuttle hikes (call or e-mail Wendy in advance to let her know if you are coming) and rain can cancel a hike (so check your e-mail on the morning of the hike if the weather looks "iffy").

Muir Woods (Dipsea to Ben Johnson) Hike (11/24) Preview

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. You can view photos taken on previous hikes.)

Directions to trailhead: From Highway 101 take the Stinson Beach exit, turn left (west) onto Shoreline Highway (Highway 1). At the junction with Loring Avenue, turn left again to continue on Shoreline Highway instead of heading into Mill Valley.

Turn right onto Panoramic Highway and left onto Muir Woods Road. Meet at Muir Woods Parking Lot #2.

Click here for a MapQuest map that shows the approximate location of the parking lot. Click on #1 to get driving directions and time from your location.

Time: 35 minutes from College of Marin. Restrooms at trailhead.

Carpoolers can meet at the Greenbrae Park & Ride lot at 9:00 am. (Click here for a MapQuest map showing the parking lot; click on #1 to get driving time and directions from your location.)

Weather forecast: As of Tuesday, November 17th, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was a slight chance of rain, with partly sunny skies and a high near 63. (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.

This Google Earth image shows our route and distance.

 

Here's the hike's elevation profile.

Dick Jordan: "I'll Be Back!

One of the all-time most famous lines in Hollywood movies, "I'll be back!," was first spoken by Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1984 sci-fi thriller, The Terminator.

The line proved so memorable, that the future "Governator" of California used it in several other films.


  (Click here if the YouTube player does not display)
Dick Jordan's most famous film line is "I need a dry martini at the little Vietnamese place owned by the bar girl I met in Saigon back in nineteen sixty eight."

Like Arnold, Dick will "be back" speaking that line in one of MarinTV's highlighted programs for November, The White Bag, which airs on Thanksgiving evening.

Here's the trailer for The White Bag.

(Click here if the YouTube player does not display)

In the meantime, you can catch that other martini-drinking spy speaking his most famous line, "Bond, James Bond," in the latest 007 film Spectre, now showing at a movie theater near you.

(Click here if the YouTube player does not display)

Bahia Open Space Hike (11/17) 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. Click here for photos taken on past hikes in this area.)

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. (If you don't have any, I have extras I can loan you.) We usually see about eight species of ducks, as well as swans, grebes, and shoregbirds.”

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.

(Click here for a MapQuest map showing the trailhead location. Click lick on #1 to get driving directions and estimated driving time from your location).

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. (Click here for a MapQuest map showing the Park & Ride location, and directions and estimated driving time to the trailhead.)
  
Weather forecast: As of Tuesday, November 10th, the weather forecast for this hike was party sunny, with a high near 64. (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.

Boojtack to Mt. Theater and West Point Inn Hike (11/10) 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.  You can view photos from a previous hike in our online album).
.
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, $7 for seniors, if you don't have a state park pass) on your right.

Click here for a MapQuest map that shows Bootjack. Click on #1 to get driving times and directions from your location.

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 can meet at the Greenbrae Park & Ride lot at 9:00 am. (Click here for a MapQuest map showing the parking lot; click on #1 to get driving time and directions from your location.)

Weather forecast:  As of Wednesday, November 4th, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was mostly sunny, with a high near 61.  (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 we'll take.  (Click here to view a copy of the Mount Tamalpais State Park brochure; the park map on the last page shows the trails).

Here's the route we'll follow and the hike profile.

Battery Townsley "Make-Over"

Every May, our annual Wolf Ridge hike takes  us from Rodeo Beach up and around Hill 88 in the Marin Headlands unit of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

On the way uphill, we also stop at Battery Townsley, a relic of the World War II coast defense system.

Today's Marin I-J reports on a plan to "rehab" the battery, including moving the 68' long, 120 ton gun from the battleship USS Missouri from outside of the big bunker where it not sits, to inside where a giant "cannon" originally point its muzzle out to sea.

It takes us about 4 hours to "circumnavigate" the hill on about 5 miles of trail, not quite as fast as the hikers make the up and down trek in this video.


Click on this link if the video doesn't display - Rodeo Beach to Hill 88 - Golden Gate National Recreation Area from Ryan Commons on Vimeo.

Estero Trail Hike (11/3) Preview

This week we return to Point Reyes National Seashore for the last time on a College of Marin scheduled hike in 2015.

This is not a loop hike, but there are marvelous views!

(Click here for a brief recap of our July 13, 2010 hike. Here's the album of photos taken during our past hikes in this area.).

Directions to trailhead:

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 and head uphill.

When you reach the turn off to the right onto Pierce Point Road, bear to the left and continue on Sir France Drake toward Chimney Rock and the Lighthouse.  Pass Mt. Vision Road on your left, and then in one mile turn left onto the road to Estero Trail.

Take this road to the parking lot at the trailhead. Click here for a MapQuest map that shows the parking lot. Click on #1 to get driving time and directions from your location.

Time: 1 hour from College of Marin. Carpoolers can meet at St. Rita's at 8:55 am.  Outhouse at the trailhead. (Pull into the Bear Valley Visitors Center area if you need an earlier restroom stop.)

Weather forecast: As of Wednesday, October 28th, the weather forecast for the hike was

Mostly sunny, with a high near 61.  (Click here for an updated forecast.)

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.

This Google Earth image gives a bird's eye view of this part of the park with the route we'll follow and the trail length and profile information. (Click on the photo to open a larger image in your Web browser).

UPDATE: Places Open On Fall 2 Meandering Hikes

Alas Bob, Carol, Vicki and Heidi have dropped out of the Fall 2 Tuesday Meandering hike series due to knee, hip, and back problems, or over-heating on the Tennessee Valley hot "Final Exam" hike.

If you have a friend who wants to hike, let them know that they DO need to sign up through the College of Marin, NOT just show up at the trailhead and pay $20/hike directly to Wendy as was originally reported.

You can send them the complete details on all of the upcoming hikes on this list (which also includes the completed Fall 1 hikes).

East Peak Mt. Tam Hike (10/27) Preview

This week we 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.

(Click here for photos from past hikes.)

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 begins), 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 MapQuest map that shows the East Peak Parking lot. Click on #1 to get driving times and directions from your location.
  
(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 Friday, October 234d, the National Weather forecast for the hike was partly sunny, with a high near 77. (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.

The following photo shows the route we'll take.

This version shows the distance we'll hike.

Here's the hike profile showing the elevation changes.

Chilled Pumpkin Soup Recipe

The recipe for Chilled Pumpkin Soup that Dick Jordan served at last week's "Final Exam" luncheon came from Epicurious. com.

Like most recipes, you need to adjust the amount of the ingredients to get both the consistency and taste that you prefer.

Dick used more pumpkin (one 15 oz and one 29 oz can), and less milk (only about 4 cups) to produce 3+ quarts of soup.

The soup requires no cooking. Just stir all of the ingredients together and refrigerate. (Dick made the soup the day before the hike.)

Dick Takes You to Cuba This Week

Thanks to President Obama's action last December to ease restrictions on travel to Cuba by U.S. citizens, interest by Americans in visiting that island nation has soared.

This week you can get a glimpse of the place when the trailer for Dick Jordan's documentary, Cuba Libre, airs on MarinTV (Comcast Channel 26) at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday and Sunday.

If you're not a Comcast cable subscriber, won't be home when the show airs, don't have a DVR, or prefer to watch it on your computer, tablet or smartphone, you can watch it on YouTube.

Dick hopes work on the full documentary (run time somewhere between 60-90 minutes) will be completed by December.

A Week Off: No Hike on October 20

Worn out from yesterday's "Mad Dogs & Englishmen Go Out in The Noonday Sun" hike at Tennessee Valley?

There's no hike next Tuesday, October 20th, so you've got two weeks to loaf.

We'll next meander on Tuesday, October 27th at East Peak on Mt. Tam when we kickoff the Fall 2 College of Marin Hiking Series.

Move to "The Light"

Weary of the burdens of home ownership?

Sell up, and become a tenant of the National Park Service living within a stone's throw of the Point Reyes Lighthouse.

(AEPG Flickr Photo)

Today's San Francisco Chronicle reports that the NPS is offering a one-year lease on a house on the edge of the continent for an undisclosed monthly rent.

But since it has "rooms with a view," expect to pay a premium for live there.

Tennessee Valley "Final Exam" Hike (10/13) Preview

Per Wendy, "this loop [around Tennessee Valley] features panoramic views of the Bay. We often see Condominium spiders, and raptors --- including Northern Harriers, American Kestrels, White-Tailed Kites, Red-Shouldered Hawks and Red-Tailed Hawks. When we're lucky we see bobcats!"

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. Here's an album of photos from past hikes in this area.).

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.

(Click here for a MapQuest map showing the trailhead. Click on #1 to get driving time and directions from your location.)

40 minutes from College of Marin.

Carpoolers can meet at the Greenbrae Park & Ride lot 9:15 am.  (Click here for a MapQuest map showing the parking lot; click on #1 to get driving time and directions from your location.)

Portable toilets at the trailhead and lunch.

Weather forecast: As of Wednesday, October 7th, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was sunny, with a high near 78.  (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.

Restricted Parking Near Muir Woods

In June, the Meandering blog reviewed a proposed plan to restrict parking near Muir Woods National Monument.

Today's San Francisco Chronicle reports that the Marin County Board of Supervisors has voted to limit parking between the park and Muir Beach. The restrictions will go into effect in 30 days.

A similar story ran in the Marin I-J.

Details on Fall 1 and Fall 2 Hikes Now Online!

Detailed information on all Fall 1 and Fall 2 hikes is now online.

Click here to view and print out the list in PDF format.

China Camp State Park Hike (10/6) Preview

This week we hike on the eastern edge of Marin along San Francisco Bay, this time venturing into China Camp State Park. (Click here to read about our November 2008 hike or here for photos from past hikes in this area.) Here's Wendy's description of the outing that we've usually done from this trailhead:

"Learn about wetland habitats and some of the endangered animals that live there like the tiny salt marsh harvest mouse. Last year we saw lots of mushrooms including oyster mushrooms, chicken-of-the-woods, jack-o-lantern mushrooms, and sulfur tufts. This area is also of historical interest as the site of a once thriving Chinese shrimp fishing village. We'll have lunch by the small museum." (Click here to view and print out the park brochure and map).

Directions to trailhead: Take the San Pedro Road exit from Highway 101 and go east for three miles. PASS the sign that says China Camp State Park and go about 3/4 mile further on San Pedro Road to Miwok Meadows (sign on your right). Park along the road, not inside of the park entrance as Wendy's list of hikes directs.

Click here for a map that shows the parking area along San Pedro Road. Click on #1 to get driving times and directions from your location. 

Time: 30 minutes from College of Marin.

Carpoolers coming from San Rafael or farther north can meet at 9:15 am at the Park & Ride lot on the east side of Highway 101 at Smith Ranch Road in the Terra Linda area north of the Marin Civic Center and downtown San Rafael.

Carpoolers coming from south of San Rafael can meet at Greenbrae Park & Ride lot at 9:15 a.m. (Click here for a MapQuest map showing the parking lot; click on #1 to get driving time and directions from your location.)

No restrooms at trailhead, but you can turn in at the China Camp State Park sign and go past the toll booth (you don't need to pay), past the day use parking area, and to the campground parking area. There are also restrooms at just off the road at Weber Point and Buckeye Point, between the main park entrance and Miwok Meadows.

Weather forecast: As of Saturday, October 3rd, the weather forecast for the hike was sunny, with a high near 75. (Click here for an updated forecast).

More on this hike: Hikes "D13 Miwork - Oak Ridge - Shoreline Trails" and “D14 Bay View Trail – Miwok Fire Trail" in the Martins' book, Hiking Marin show the general area where we will be hiking although our exact route may vary from the ones they describe.

Learn How to Use Those Hiking Poles!

This Saturday, October 3rd, instructor Jayah Faye Paley will once again teach her "Using POLES for Hiking & Outdoor Exercise" at Point Reyes National Seashore.

The class runs from 10:30 am - 4:30 pm and is offered by the Point Reyes National Seashore Association's Field Institute.

Cost is $40 for members, $50 for non-members.

Click here for more information and to sign up for the class.

(Dick Jordan took the class over a decade ago and still uses the same hiking poles that he bought from Paley during the class.)

Dick Jordan's Latest MarinTV Show Airs Tomorrow

Dick Jordan's latest short film for MarinTV, entitled "Imagine This: A Story Told With Sound Effects," airs on Comcast Channel 26 on Monday, September 28 at 6:30 p.m.

It will be re-broadcast on Sunday, October 4, at 8:00 p.m.

Dick says "It's like nothing you've ever 'seen' on TV!"

Can't wait? Aren't a Comcast Marin subscriber?

Not a problem. You can watch it on YouTube, too.

What's it all about?

This graphic provides a hint.

Samuel P. Taylor State Park (9/29) Hike Preview

Bill’s Trail (which was being re-constructed last Fall) still hasn’t been re-opened, so rather than do our usual loop up Devil’s Gulch toward Mount Barnabe, we’ll do a different hike that has one steep downhill section, so bring poles if you use them.

Directions to trailhead: Take Sir Francis Drake Boulevard to the main entrance of Samuel P. Taylor State Park.

Click here for a map showing the park entrance and for driving times and directions from your location. Click on #2 to get driving time and directions from your location.

Parking fee: $8 unless you have a State Park Pass (or a day pass from the California State Parks Foundation).

35 minutes from College of Marin. Carpoolers can meet at St. Rita’s at 9:20 a.m.

Restrooms at trailhead

Weather forecast: As of Wedneday, September 23rd, the National Weather Service forecast for Tuesday's hike was sunny, with a high near 74. (Click here for an updated weather forecast.)
 

Mountain Home Inn to Muir Woods Hike (9/22) Preview

We continue the 2015 Fall 1 hiking series with a trip down into one of Marin's federal parks.

Here's Wendy's description of this week's hike:  "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. There is an online album of photos from our past hikes here.)

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.

45 minutes from College of Marin.

Carpoolers can meet at the Greenbrae Park & Ride lot at 9:00 am.

Click here for a MapQuest Map showing the trailhead. Click on #1 for directions and driving time from your location.

Outhouse at trailhead and restrooms in Muir Woods and at lunch.

Weather Forecast: As of Thursday, September 17th, the National Weather Service forecast for the day of the hike was mostly sunny, with a high near 71. (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.

Songbird Documentary to Screen at the Mill Valley Film Festival

This year's 38th Mill Valley Film Festival includes a long list of dramatic, comedic, animated, and documentary films.

The Messenger is a documentary film that may be of particular interest to Meanderers and their bird-watching friends.

  THE MESSENGER - Official Trailer from Mill Valley Film Festival.

(Click here if the video player does not display)

Here's the film's description on the MVFF Website:

"Brightly feathered songbirds are earth’s original musicians, but this urgent documentary drives home that their delightful symphonies are in jeopardy. The world faces a bleak possibility—that the sun may one day rise in silence.

"Aimed at both the head and heart, The Messenger celebrates these tuneful avian athletes, whose prodigious migratory feats span hemispheres and defy belief, even as it soberly explores the reasons behind their dramatic disappearance worldwide. Like canaries in a coal mine, songbird declines sound a dire warning about our collective toll on nature, which includes deforestation, urbanization, industry, blanket use of insecticides, and light and noise pollution—in addition to climate change.

"Gorgeously photographed, featuring stunning super slo-mo shots of birds in flight, this loving, elegiac film also celebrates the devoted conservationists who study and save these birds and are spreading a simple, powerful message: If we want songbirds singing tomorrow, we must change our ways now."

Click here for show times and to buy tickets for this film.

Additional information about the Mill Valley Festival, which runs from October 8th through 18th, with films showing at various locations in Central and Southern Marin, can be found on the Festival's Website.

Dick Jordan to "Shake Things Up" at Litquake

Dick Jordan has received a big honor.

He's been asked to join with his much more illustrious travel writing colleagues Laura Deutsch, Spud Hilton, Laurie McAndish King, Diane LeBow and Jules Older in kicking off Litquake 2015 with readings from their works at the “Launch Your Travel Adventure” session atRebound Bookstore in San Rafael, California at 10 am on Sunday, October 11th. 

This movable reading feast will continue all day moving eastward through San Rafael with presentations by other writers at various venues. Click here for more information.

Tomales Point Hike (9/15) Preview

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; here is an album of photos taken on past hikes in this area.)

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.

Click here for a MapQuest map showing the trailhead. Click on the number "1" to get driving directions and times from your location.

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 you reach the parking lot for the Tomales Point Trail you can drive downhill toward 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 Thursday, September 10th, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was sunny, with a high near 63. (Click here for an updated forecast).

More on this hike: Hike "G18 – Tomales Point Trai"l 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.

This Google Earth image created by Theresa Fisher shows the path we'll follow out and back.

at 12:08 PM