NO HIKE - JANUARY 3RD

Just a quick reminder that there is no hike on Tuesday, January 3rd.

The next "Winterim" hike will be on Tuesday, January 10th from Sky Trail to Bear Valley in Point Reyes National Seashore.

Happy New Year from the Meandering Blog!

Winter Hiking Series Signup Starts Tuesday, January 3rd!

Registration for Winter 2017 College of Marin Hiking Series opens next Tuesday, January 3rd.  

You can sign up: 

•  Online 
• By phone (415 455-9305)
• By U.S. mail (print out and complete registration form and mail to Community Education, 835 College Avenue, Kentfield, CA 94904)
• Or in-person (Mon-Thurs 9 a.m. - Noon, 1-4 p.m., Fri 9 a.m. - Noon) at the Kentfield campus (Student Services Building, Room 145) or Indian Valley campus (Building 7, Room 194)

Here's the class information for both the Monday and Tuesday hikes:

Monday Hikes

Course No: EC 2941
6 Mondays, Jan 30-March 13
Time: 9:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Fee: $122/ESCOM members pay $103

Tuesday Hikes

Course No: EC 2548
7 Tuesdays, Jan 31-March 14
Time: 9:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Fee: $142/ESCOM members pay $120

If you want to sign up for other College of Marin Community Education courses, click here to view and download a copy of the Winter 2017 Course Schedule.

Happy Trails to You!
 

DECEMBER 27 - NO HIKE!

Just a quick reminder that there is no hike on Tuesday, December 27th.

The next "Winterim" hike will be on Tuesday, January 10th.

Enjoy the holidays!

See you in 2017!

WINTER COLLEGE OF MARIN REGISTRATION COMING UP!

Registration for Winter 2017 College of Marin Hiking Series Open Tuesday, January 3rd.  You will be able to sign up online, by phone, or in-person.

Early Registration for Winter 2017 For ESCOM Gold Card Members will take place Monday, December 12th through Friday, December 16th during Community Education office hours.

Register in-person at either the Kentfield Campus, Student Services, Room 145, or the Indian Valley Campus, Building 7, Room 194 Monday-Thursday 9am-Noon and 1-4pm and Friday 9am-Noon

You may be able to register by phone by calling 415-485-9305.

Alpine Dam to Bon Tempe Dam Hike (12/20) Preview

We hike along a creek with lovely cascades and ferns. This is usually an interesting mushroom hike – in past years we've seen Toothed Jelly Fungus, Rosy Gomphidius, Cowboy's Handkerchief, and The Prince! The start is uphill with some stairs (but we’ll find lots to look at on the way), the end is level, and in between it’s up and down!

We end up at the Bon Tempe Dam.  (Click here for a recap of our January 2010 hike). Note the early start time (9:15 am). Carpool leaves St. Rita Church in Fairfax at 8:55 a.m. We sometimes get back late on this hike. If you must be back at 1:45 pm it's safer to skip this one.

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

Directions to trailhead:  Take the Fairfax-Bolinas Road. Turn in as you would to go to Lake Lagunitas.

After the ranger station at Sky Oaks (but before Shaver Grade) there is an unpaved road to the right. Take this to Lake Bon Tempe and park at the lot near the foot of the dam.  

Click here for a MapQuest map that shows the parking lot at Bon Tempe Dam. Click on #1 to get driving times and directions from your location.

MEET HERE AT 9:15 a.m. Porta potties are in the parking lot. From here we’ll carpool to the trailhead (near Alpine Dam).

We’ll need people who are not in a rush to take the driver’s back to their cars parked near Alpine Dam.

Do not pay the day use fee at the Sky Oaks entrance if you plan to take people to the trailhead.

If you are going to leave your car in the lot by Bon Tempe Dam, stop at the two automated pay station machines which are now at the parking area on the right just beyond the entrance station and pay the $8 day use fee unless have an MMWD Watershed pass.
 
You can use a credit card, $1, $5, or $10 bills (but not coins or $20 bills) at the automated pay station which will not give you change if you overpay.

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. 

Weather forecast:  As of Tuesday, December 13th, the National Weather Service forecast for this area during the hike was mostly sunny, with a high near 553. (Click here for an updated forecast).

More on this hike: There is no comparable hike in the Martins' book, Hiking Marin, but we'll begin our hike just past the dam at Alpine Lake and head east on the Helen Markt Trail, eventually pick up one of the fire roads, and wind our way back to Bon Tempe Lake. (Click here to view, zoom in on, or print a map of the MWWD watershed lands).

"Winterim" Hike Schedule Now Online!

Until the Winter College of Marin series of hikes begin at the end of January, Wendy will be running a series of by-the-week one-way shuttle hikes on these dates:

• December 20 - Lake Alpine
• December 27 - NO HIKE
• January 3 - NO HIKE.
• January 10 - Sky Trail to Bear Valley
• January 17 - Pine Mountain/Elliott Preserve
• January 24 - Sky Oaks to Deer Park "Final Exam"

Cost is $20/hike. Unlike the COM series, rain cancels.

Click here for detailed information.

Lake Lagunitas “Final Exam” Hike (12/13) Preview

We return to the MMWD watershed for our final hike of the 2016 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 Google Maps map showing the trailhead location; click on the teardrop icon 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 which will not give you change back if you overpay.

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 Google Maps map showing St. Rita's ("A") and directions and estimated driving time to the trailhead.

Weather forecast:  As of Wednesday December 7th, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was rain likely. Cloudy, with a high near 59. (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).

Here's the route we'll follow.

Here's the hike profile.

Dick Jordan's Cuba Film at Book Passage and on MarinTV.

Dick Jordan's feature-length documentary film, Cuba, Libre?, which traces the history of travel to Cuba by Americans from the early decades of the 20th century to the present day, will be shown in the Event Room of Book Passage Bookstore & Cafe on Monday, December 5th, at 7:00 p.m.

Left Coast Writers is hosting the event as part of its monthly salon meeting.

Dick and travel writers who appear in the film will be present to answer questions after the screening.

Refreshments will be served. This free event is open to the public. 

 Click here for details, and click here to watch the film's trailer.

Last January, Cuba, Libre? aired on MarinTV, the non-commercial public access station in San Rafael that serves cable TV subscribers in Central and Southern Marin County.

The station is re-running the film on Comcast Channel 26 on these dates and times in December:

• Friday            12/02/2016    10:30AM    
• Wednesday    12/07/2016    11:00 AM    
• Friday            12/09/2016      3:00 PM
• Friday            12/23/2016    11:00 PM
• Saturday        12/24/2016      5:00 PM 

Cuba, Libre? is also tentatively scheduled to be shown on Saturday, May 6, 2017 at an event to raise funds to cover the costs of renovating and restoring the historic downtown Novato Theater.

With luck, the theater reconstruction will be completed by then and Dick's film will be shown there. (If not, the screening will be held in another Novato location.)

Dick plans to return from his new home in Eugene, Oregon (where he'll be moving in mid-January) to attend the event.

Muir Woods (Dipsea to Ben Johnson) Hike (12/6) 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 early 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 (overflow parking).

Click here for a Google Maps map that shows the location of the parking lot. Click on teardrop icon 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 Parking & Ride lot at 9:00 a.m. (Click here for a Google Maps map showing the parking lot on Drakes Landing Road; click on the teardrop icon to get driving time and directions from your location.)

Weather forecast: As of Wednesday, November 30th, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was sunny, with a high near 52. (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.

Sky Oaks MMWD Hike (11/29) 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 Google Maps map showing the trailhead location. Click on teardrop icon 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 (change not given if you overpay).

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 23rd, the weather forecast for this hike was

sunny, with a high near 62. (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).

This is one of the routes that we typically follow, although sometimes we've take a slightly different path during the final leg back to the parking lot.

Here's the hike profile (which will vary slightly, depending on the exact route taken during the post-lunch section of the hike).

Baker-Barry Tunnel Closure Early Next Year

(Baker-Barry Tunnel Courtesy of GGNRA/NPS)

The Baker-Barry Tunnel in the Marin Headlands Unit of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area that connects the Sausalito side of the Headlands to the western side, including Rodeo Lagoon where we begin our annual Wolf Ridge hike in late spring, is slated to be closed for repair work next year.

Here are the details:

The Baker-Barry Tunnel, a primary route to the Marin Headlands, will close for an extended preservation project beginning Monday, January 2, 2017.

The tunnel will be closed seven days a week through early May to all users, including vehicles and bicycles.

Additional one-day closures will be scheduled in December for pre-project inspections.

The Federal Highway Administration notified the National Park Service this week of the intended closure dates. The project was previously anticipated to begin in October 2016. Exact dates, times, and date ranges are subject to variation with advance notice.

The National Park Service has established a web page for project updates: http://go.nps.gov/tunnel, including:

• an upcoming traffic management plan from the Federal Highway Administration

• suggested times to visit the Marin Headlands to avoid peak congestion

• alternative locations for Golden Gate Bridge photography

Safer Surfaces. Better Lighting.

The Baker-Barry Tunnel preservation project will bring safer surfaces and better lighting to the historic tunnel.

Current cracks and leaks in the tunnel result in a slippery film of sediment that creates a safety hazard for vehicles and bicyclists. A new tunnel LED light system will reduce energy use by an estimated 40% and create better illumination in the tunnel for vehicles and bicyclists.

The project will also replace water and sewer lines mounted in the tunnel. The outdated water and sewer lines are subject to frequent breaks, resulting in tunnel closures.

To keep informed on the project visit: http://go.nps.gov/tunnel

During the time that the tunnel is closed you'll have to follow this route to reach Rodeo Lagoon, especially if you are towing a large cannon behind you!

Bootjack to West Point Inn Hike (11/22) 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, if you don't have a state park pass) on your right.

Click here for a Google Maps map that shows the Bootjack parking lot. Click on the teardrop icon to get driving directions and times 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 Parking & Ride lot at 9:00 a.m. (Click here for a Google Maps map showing the parking lot on Drakes Landing Road; click on the teardrop icon to get driving time and directions from your location.)

Weather forecast:  As of Wednesday, November 16th, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was a slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 56.  (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.

Here's the hike profile.

Sometimes instead of staring and ending at Bootjack we hike to from Mountain Home Inn to West Point and back, as we did in this short film by Dick Jordan.

  (Click here if the YouTube video player does not display)

Help Wanted: Meandering Blog Editor

Alas, alas, after the upcoming "Final Exam" hike in December, but before Christmas, updates to the Meandering blog will end as Dick Jordan begins packing up "stuff" for his move to Eugene, Oregon in January!

To prevent this "Bah, Humbug!" Scrooge moment from happening, a new blog editor will have to be found.

The main part of the editor's "job" is posting the preview for next week's hike. This typically involves copying and pasting the preview from the last time the hike was done, updating the weather forecast, and perhaps the links to Google Maps or other Websites. Understanding basic HTML editing would be helpful, but not essential.

The new editor would have to have a Google Account (which anyone who uses "gmail" already has).

So, if you've always hankered for a job as a journalist, now's your chance!

To apply for the job, just send an e-mail to Dick (rhjordan@earthlink.net). (No need to submit a resume, or your salary and benefit requirements since there are none for this position).

He'll contact you about how to do the basic tasks and be available via e-mail or phone to help you learn "the ropes" of being a blogger.

Railroading on Mount Tam

On some of our hikes on Mount Tamalpais we walk along sections of the old railway line that ran up and down the mountain.

Marin filmmaker, Gary Yost, who has produced several short movies about the mountain, has just released a new one that immortalizes the railroad in song.

"The Old Railroad Grade" by Dore Coller from Gary Yost on Vimeo.
You can learn more about those days of yore from this book available in Marin County libraries or from Amazon.com (which will pay Dick Jordan a few pennies if you buy it through this link).

'

Bahia Open Space Hike (11/15) Preview

For our next hike we'll head north to the Novato area and do some birdwatching on a portion of the Marin County Open Space lands, usually beginning with a check of the hummingbird feeders at a home near the trailhead. (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 ten species of ducks, as well as stilts, avocets, grebes, raptors and shorebirds.”

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 Google Maps map showing the trailhead location. Click on the teardrop icon to get driving directions and estimated driving time from your location).

Driving time from College of Marin: 35 minutes. No restrooms at trailhead, but Dick Jordan suggests using one at Starbuck's in the Vintage Oaks Shopping Center just south of downtown Novato where you can also pick up beverages and food items if you need them.

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 Google Maps map showing the Park & Ride location. Click on the teardrop icon to get, directions and estimated driving from your location.)
  
Weather forecast: As of Thursday, November 10th, the weather forecast for this hike was a slight chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 66. (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.

This map shows the route we generally follow.

Here's the hike profile.

Bootjack Loop Hike (11/8) Preview

We return to Mount Tamalpais this week to repeat a hike was last did in January of this year.

The hike description is simple: "A mostly shady trail opens up to an incredible vista at a sunny (we hope!) lunch spot overlooking the ocean!

"We'll take Bootjack Trail to Van Wyk Meadow, TCC Trail to the Dipsea Trail, and the Old Mine Trail back."

Click here for photos taken on past hikes along these trails.

This map shows the route we'll follow.

Here's the hike's profile showing the elevation changes.

 (Click on the Map or Profile to View a Larger Image)

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.

As you drive up the mountain, look for the Bootjack picnic area and parking lot ($8/car, if you don't have a state park pass) on your right.

Click here for a Google Maps map that shows the Bootjack parking lot. Click on the teardrop icon to get driving directions and times 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). 

50 minutes from the College of Marin. Restrooms at trailhead.

Carpoolers can meet at the Greenbrae Parking & Ride lot at 9:00 a.m. (Click here for a Google Maps map showing the parking lot on Drakes Landing Road; click on the teardrop icon to get driving time and directions from your location.)

Weather forecast: As of Wednesday, November 2nd, the National Weather Service forecast was a slight chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. (Click here for an updated forecast.)

East Peak Mt. Tam Hike (11/1) Preview

This week we hike in Mount Tamalpais State Park.

This lovely loop takes us by 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 Google Maps map that shows the East Peak Parking lot. Click on the teardrop icon 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. (Click here for a Google Maps map showing the parking lot on Drakes Landing Road; right click on the teardrop icon to get driving time and directions from your location.)

Weather forecast: As of Tuesday, October 25th, the National Weather forecast for the hike was a chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61. (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.

NO HIKE - TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25TH

Just a quick reminder that there is no hike on Tuesday, October 25th.

The Fall 2 sessions of College of Marin Meandering on Tuesday hikes will kick off at East Peak on Mountain Tamalpais State Park on November 1st.

Let Them Eat Cake!

What should Meanderers do after a warm uphill and downhill hike above Tennessee Valley?

Dick Jordan says, "Let them eat cake!"

If you missed today's hike and "Final Exam" luncheon you missed two announcements by Dick:

1. He's now much "Older Than Dirt"!
2. In mid-January he'll probably have moved from Marin to Eugene, Oregon.

In the meantime, he'll keep posting to the Meandering in Marin blog and, who knows, maybe next year you'll mosey up Highway 101 or I-5 to go meandering with him along the Oregon coast or the Cascade Mountains, both of which will only be about an hour away from his new home.

Tennessee Valley "Final Exam" Hike (10/18) Preview

Per Wendy, "this loop [around Tennessee Valley] features panoramic views of the Bay. We often see Condominium spiders, several species of hawks, and sometimes find a bobcat hunting."

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 Google Maps map showing the trailhead. Click on the teardrop icon 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 Google Maps map showing the parking lot on Drakes Landing Road; right click on the teardrop icon to get driving time and directions from your location.)

Portable toilets at the trailhead and lunch.

Weather forecast: As of Friday, October 14th, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was mostly sunny, with a high near 69.  (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.

Here's the route we'll follow.

Here's the hike profile.

Mountain Home to Bootjack (10/11) Hike Preview

This week we head south in Marin for a trek up and down trails on Mount Tamalpais.

Per Wendy, "this hike takes us through redwood forest, over Fern Creek, into chaparral, and finally to lunch at Bootjack. The return is fairly level and shady."  (Click here for a recap of our October 2008 hike and click here for the photo album for this hike.)

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.

50 minutes from College of Marin.

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

Click here for a Google Maps map showing the Mountain Home Inn. Click on the teardrop icon for directions and driving time from your location.

Restrooms at trailhead and Bootjack.

Weather forecast: As of Tuesday, October 4th, 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:  Hike "B9 – Matt Davis – Troop 80 Trails" – in the Martin's book, Hiking Marin, shows the area where we’ll be hiking.

This Google Earth view of Mt. Tam shows the trails that we'll be following.

Here's the hike profile.

China Camp State Park Hike (10/4) 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:

"Today you'll learn about wetland habitats and some of the endangered animals that live there.  This area is also of historical interest as the site of a once thriving Chinese shrimp-fishing village" (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 Google Maps map that shows the parking area along San Pedro Road. Click on the teardrop icon 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. Click on the teardrop icon on the Google Maps map to get driving time and directions from your location to the parking lot.

Carpoolers coming from south of San Rafael can meet at Greenbrae Park & Ride lot at 9:15 a.m. (Click here for a Google Maps map showing the parking lot; click on the tear drop icon 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: Dick Jordan is out of town this week, so 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.

Estero Trail Hike (9/27) 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 Google Maps map that shows the parking lot. Click on the teardrop icon 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, September 21st, the weather forecast for the hike was

sunny, with a high near 64.  (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).

Mountain Home Inn to Muir Woods Hike (9/20) 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 Google Maps map showing the Mountain Home Inn. Click on the teardrop icon for directions and driving time from your location.

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

Weather Forecast: As of Tuesday, September 13th, the National Weather Service forecast for the day of the hike was patchy fog, otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 72.. (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.

Point Reyes: Then and Now

We spend so much time meandering in Point Reyes National Seashore each year that we tend to take its existence in our "backyard" for granted.

But this story in last month's Marin Magazine reminds us that turning the land around Point Reyes into a national seashore wasn't without controversy, and challenges over preserving and maintaining the park continue to the present day and probably will well into the future.

What A Difference A Year Makes!

As this video shows, last year's hike to the Pioneer Tree in Samuel P. Taylor State Park involved getting over an almost bootcamp-like "obstacle course" barrier: A large redwood tree that had fallen across the trail.


  (Click here if the YouTube player does not display)
But thankfully during the last twelve months the park removed so much of the tree, including the part blocking the trail, that we weren't positive that we even saw the remaining chunk as we hiked past it.

Tomales Point Hike (9/13) 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 Google Maps map showing the trailhead. Click on the teardrop icon 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 8th, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was patchy fog, otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 60. (Click here for an updated forecast).

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

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