This is a lovely, level lakeside loop! We could see Ring-necked Ducks, Common Mergansers, American Widgeons, Ruddy Ducks, Buffleheads, and more.
This could also be the week for our first Acmon Blue butterfly! (Click here for a recap of our 2010 hike. There's also an album of photos taken on past hikes.)
Remember to bring your contribution to our gourmet feast, a plate, cup, and utensils. (We'll have lunch at Wendy's home in San Anselmo if rain - which is not likely - makes it impossible to use the group picnic area at Lake Lagunitas.)
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.
Unless you have an MMWD pass, continue past the old toll booth and the Sky Oaks Ranger Station, 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 $60 ($30 for those 62 and older) and 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.)
We’ll have lunch at the picnic area at Lake Lagunitas so you don’t need to carry the food for the potluck.
Restrooms at trailhead, portables en route.
Weather forecast: As of Wednesday, March 4th, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was a slight chance of rain. Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. (Click here for an updated forecast).
More on this hike: Hike "C13 Bon Tempe Lake Trail" in the Martins' book, Hiking Marin, shows the general area where we will be hiking. However, we'll start and end at trail junction #2 on their map, rather than at Bon Tempe dam. (Click here for an MMWD map that shows this area).
This hike is a little shorter than average at about 3.7 miles, without a great deal of elevation change.
The Google Earth image below shows both lakes in a view looking back towards Fairfax. (Click on the photo to open a larger image in your Web browser).
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