Just a quick reminder that there will be no hikes this coming Monday or Tuesday, January 1 or 2, 2018.
The next scheduled Tuesday hike is January 16, 2018 at Pine Mountain/Elliott Nature Preserve.
Happy New Year to all.
Friday, December 29, 2017
Winter Hiking Series Signup Starts Tuesday January 2, 2018
Registration for Winter 2018 College of Marin Hiking Series opens next Tuesday, January 2nd.
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)
Monday Hikes
Course No: EC 3197
7 Mondays, Jan 29 - March 19
Time: 9:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Fee: $155/ESCOM members pay $131
Tuesday Hikes
Course No: EC 3198
7 Tuesdays, Jan 30 - March 13
Time: 9:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Fee: $155/ESCOM members pay $131
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 2018 Course Schedule.
Happy Trails to You!
Friday, December 22, 2017
Reminder - No Hike Tuesday December 26, 2017
Just a quick reminder that there will be no hike this coming Tuesday, December 26, 2017.
The next scheduled Tuesday hike is January 16, 2018 at Pine Mountain/Elliott Nature Preserve.
Also, there is no hike on Monday, December 25, 2017.
Happy Holidays to all.
Happy Holidays to all.
Sunday, December 17, 2017
REMINDER- No Hike Tuesday December 17, 2017
Just a quick reminder that there will be no hike this coming Tuesday, December 17, 2017.
The next scheduled Tuesday hike is January 16, 2018 at Pine Mountain/Elliott Nature Preserve.
Wendy is offering a shuttle hike this Monday, December 18, 2017, Pine Mountain/Elliott Nature Preserve. Please note the early start time and late finish time.
Wendy says: "This hike starts in chaparral and passes by serpentine areas. We go through the pygmy Sargent cypress forest, and return through oak/bay/madrone woodland. We'll check out birds and mushrooms as we go.
We need people to meet at the end of Cascade Dr. Fairfax at 9:20. If you have time pressure after class go there as well, since the car shuttle won’t get people back to the start until about 3:20. I will drive the drivers from Cascade to the start of the hike. Others, meet at the trailhead.
Take the Bolinas-Fairfax Road past the Meadow Club (golf course) and keep going. Park in the parking lot across from the Pine Mountain Fire Rd. 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.
25 minutes from College of Marin."
Friday, December 8, 2017
Alpine Dam to Bon Tempe (12/12/17) Preview Shuttle Hike, Early Start
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 (9:20 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 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 9:20 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).
Tuesday, December 5, 2017
"Flying Up" Cascade Falls
Marin filmmaker, Gary Yost, is noted for his short films featuring Mount Tam, some of which have been featured in past posts to the Meandering blog.
(Click here if you don't see the Vimeo video player)
Former Meandering blogmaster, Dick Jordan, who posted this from his home in Eugene, Oregon, doesn't own a drone. But here's one of his short films shot on a wintry day in the last week of April of 2017 at Salt Creek Falls, the second highest waterfall in Oregon.
(Click here if you don't see the Vimeo video player)
Dick produced another short film about the McKenzie River. He has submitted excerpts from that for possible inclusion in a film that will be shown at the "The Four Seasons of the McKenzie River" concert set to the music of Vivaldi's "The Four Season" to be performed by the Eugene Symphony in mid-February.
In one of his latest film projects, Gary used a small drone outfitted with a video camera to fly up and down and around Cascade Falls near Mill Valley. (Note: This post originally indicated it was filmed around the falls of the same name near Fairfax.)
Former Meandering blogmaster, Dick Jordan, who posted this from his home in Eugene, Oregon, doesn't own a drone. But here's one of his short films shot on a wintry day in the last week of April of 2017 at Salt Creek Falls, the second highest waterfall in Oregon.
(Click here if you don't see the Vimeo video player)
Dick produced another short film about the McKenzie River. He has submitted excerpts from that for possible inclusion in a film that will be shown at the "The Four Seasons of the McKenzie River" concert set to the music of Vivaldi's "The Four Season" to be performed by the Eugene Symphony in mid-February.
Monday, December 4, 2017
Correction to date - Winterim Hiking Schedule 2018/2019
Until the Winter College of Marin series of hikes begin, Wendy will be running a series of by-the-week one-way shuttle hikes. UNLIKE CLASSES THROUGH COM, RAIN CANCELS! $22/class. Wendy says: "Please email or call to let me know if you will be there since these are shuttle hikes, and also so I can let you know if there is a rain cancellation. In case of questionable weather, look for an email around 7 AM."
Here are the dates for both Monday and Tuesday hikes:
MONDAY WINTERIM 2017-2018
December 11 NO HIKE
DECEMBER 18 Pine Mountain to Elliott Nature Preserve
SHUTTLE HIKE
NOTE EARLY START TIME AND LATE FINISH TIME
This hike starts in chaparral and passes by serpentine areas. We go through the pygmy Sargent cypress forest, and return through oak/bay/madrone woodland. We'll check out birds and mushrooms as we go.
We need people to meet at the end of Cascade Dr. Fairfax at 9:20. If you have time pressure after class go there as well, since the car shuttle won’t get people back to the start until about 3:20. I will drive the drivers from Cascade to the start of the hike. Others, meet at the trailhead.
Take the Bolinas-Fairfax Road past the Meadow Club (golf course) and keep going. Park in the parking lot across from the Pine Mountain Fire Rd. 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.
25 minutes from College of Marin.
JANUARY 2 REGISTER FOR WINTER SESSION AT COM
JANUARY 8 LAKE ALPINE
SHUTTLE HIKE
We hike along a creek with lovely cascades and ferns. This is usually an interesting mushroom hike as well. 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. We may get back late (about 3 PM) so this is not a good hike for you if you have to be back at 1:45.
Take the Fairfax-Bolinas Rd. 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. We’ll carpool to the trailhead. Do not pay if you plan to take people to the trailhead. We’ll need people who are not in a rush to take the drivers back to their cars.
Portables are in the parking lot for Lake Bon Tempe.
JANUARY 15 NO CLASS for MLK Day
JANUARY 22 SKY OAKS TO DEER PARK SHUTTLE HIKE
Mostly downhill and level! If we haven't seen the first milkmaid of the season, we should see it today! We might even see the first Hound's Tongue.
Meet at Deer Park to carpool. Take Bolinas Ave in Fairfax, turn left on Porteous. (If you see Deer Park Villa you’ve gone a bit too far, turn around.) Go to the parking lot at the end. Drivers leave food in cars at Deer Park. Restrooms at Deer Park and Sky Oaks, and portable en route. 20 minutes from College of Marin.
TUESDAY WINTERIM 2017-2018
UNLIKE CLASSES THROUGH COM, RAIN CANCELS! $22/class. Please email or call to let me know if you will be there since these are shuttle hikes, and also so I can let you know if there is a rain cancellation. In case of questionable weather, look for an email around 7 AM.
DECEMBER 12 LAKE ALPINE
SHUTTLE HIKE
We hike along a creek with lovely cascades and ferns. This is usually an interesting mushroom hike as well. 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. We may get back late (about 3 PM) so this is not a good hike for you if you have to be back at 1:45.
Take the Fairfax-Bolinas Rd. 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. We’ll carpool to the trailhead. Do not pay if you plan to take people to the trailhead. We’ll need people who are not in a rush to take the drivers back to their cars.
Portables are in the parking lot for Lake Bon Tempe.
JANUARY 2 REGISTER FOR WINTER SESSION AT COM
JANUARY 9 NO HIKE
JANUARY 16 PINE MOUNTAIN/ELLIOTT NATURE PRESERVE
This 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. Little Carson Falls is a detour which is steep in parts and can be slippery if it rains. We may or may not go to the falls depending on the group’s decision. Due to a lack of good places to stop on the Repack fire road, lunch will be early (around 11:30) or late (around 1).
We need two people to meet at the end of Cascade Dr.in Fairfax at 9:20. If you have time pressure after class go there as well, since the car shuttle won’t get us back until a little after 2PM. I will drive those drivers to the start of the hike. Others, meet at the trailhead. Take Sir Francis Drake Blvd to Fairfax. Turn left at the first gas station, and make an immediate right in front of the movie theater. Turn right on Bolinas Ave.. Drive 2.6 miles to pass the Meadow Club and continue on for 1.3 miles until the top of the ridge. Park in the large gravel parking lot on the left side of the road. If you start going downhill and see Lake Alpine you've gone too far.
No restrooms. 25 minutes from College of Marin.
and set your odometer and go 3.2 miles. There are pull-outs on the right and left as you round a bend. No restrooms. 25 minutes from College of Marin.
JANUARY 23 SKY OAKS TO DEER PARK FINAL EXAM!
Mostly downhill and level! If we haven't seen the first milkmaid of the season, we should see it today! We might even see the first Hound's Tongue!
Meet at Deer Park to carpool. Take Bolinas Ave in Fairfax, turn left on Porteous. (If you see Deer Park Villa you’ve gone a bit too far, turn around.) Go to the parking lot at the end. Drivers leave food in cars at Deer Park. Restrooms at Deer Park and Sky Oaks, and portable en route. 20 minutes from College of Marin.
Sunday, December 3, 2017
Lake Lagunitas, MMWD (12/5/2017) Preview
We return to the MMWD watershed for our final hike of the 2017 Fall "2" session.Here's what Wendy says 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. Turn left on Pacheco and make an immediate right in front of the movie theater onto Broadway. 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, Sky Oaks Rd. 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 Sunday December 3rd, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was sunny with a high near 63. Eat wind around 7 mph. (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.
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