Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Registration opens today for Winter 2018 Meandering in Marin - also Hiking Schedule

Remember COM winter registration opens January 2. 

WINTER QUARTER 2018
TUESDAY  MEANDERING IN MARIN 

JANUARY 30 LAKE BON TEMPE, ROCKY RIDGE
       After we cross the dam we have about an hour of uphill walking, but we’ll take it slowly admiring the sweeping views of the lakes and checking out the early wildflowers. Lunch by the lake
      As you enter Fairfax on Sir Francis Drake Blvd. jog left on Pacheco when you see the movie theater and make an immediate right.  This puts you on the street that parallels SF Drake but is on the other side of the parkade. Make the first left which is Bolinas Ave. Follow the Bolinas-Fairfax Rd. for about 1 mile. Turn left onto Sky Oaks Rd. Pass the kiosk and pull in to the parking area on the right where you pay. Then make a right on the unpaved road to Bon Tempe and park in the lot below the dam.


FEBRUARY 6   SKY TRAIL, POINT REYES 
      This loop has spectacular views of the estero and the ocean!  This could be a good mushroom hike! Lunch on Mt. Wittenberg. Level and downhill after lunch.  
     Take Sir Francis Drake Blvd. west to Olema.  Turn right on Rt.1, then make an immediate left onto Bear Valley Rd. Continue past the road to Park Headquarters (stop here if you need a restroom) and go left on Limantour Rd. Trailhead is 3.3 miles from
this turn. The parking lot is on your left. 
     50 minutes from College of Marin.  No restrooms at trailhead. We’ll pass some at Sky Camp about 10:30.


FEBRUARY 13 BLITHEDALE CANYON LOOP. MILL VALLEY
     A loop with great views of Mt. Tamalpais!  Early wildflowers and probably a 9 fern day!  My favorite Star Lily patch in all Marin!
     Take East Blithedale exit from 101. Where you cross Throckmorton it becomes West Blithedale. Go .9 miles and look for parking at Marsh and West Blithedale on both the left and the right sides of the street.
     Time: 30 minutes from COM.  No restrooms at trailhead.

FEBRUARY 20  STEEP RAVINE –DIPSEA  
     On this favorite early spring hike we should see Giant Wake Robin, Redwood Evergreen Violets, Star Lilies, Smith’s Fairy Bells, Fetid Adder’s Tongue and Calypso Orchids! We’ll go up Steep Ravine since some of us find the ladder is easier to go up than down.  Lunch at Pantoll.
     NOTE: You cannot reach Steep Ravine from the south as of this writing. 
Highway 1 (State Route 1) is closed between Muir Beach and Stinson Beach due to storm damage. Access to Steep Ravine is allowed past the barricades on the north (Stinson Beach) side of the closure. 
From Highway 101, take Highway 1 north to Panoramic Highway back to Highway 1 in Stinson Beach. Go left at the T intersection onto southbound Highway 1 and Steep Ravine will be on your right after the barricades. 
If you are coming from the north on Highway 1 simply continue south on Highway 1 through Stinson Beach and Steep Ravine will be on your right after the barricades. The barricades are near the intersection and will have a sign reading "Local Traffic Only" - you can go around them to proceed to Steep Ravine. 
 There is parking is on the east side. 

FEBRUARY 27   AUDUBON CANYON RANCH
     Lucky us!  We have permission to hike in Audubon Canyon Ranch!  This is beautiful habitat, not usually open to the public. 
     Take Sir Francis Drake Blvd. to Olema. Turn south (left) on Highway 1 and follow for about 10 miles to Bolinas Lagoon. Preserve will be on the left approximately 1 mile further. The entrance will be closed with a gate.  Go south of the entrance and go in the exit.  Or from Highway 101  take the Stinson Beach exit. Follow approximately 12 miles to Stinson Beach. Continue 3 1/2 miles north to the parking lot exit just before the preserve gate on right hand side of the highway. If you don't know where it is, you may have to drive to the official entrance and turn around.
      Time: 1 hour from College of Marin.  Restrooms at trailhead.

MARCH 6  DEER PARK TO LAKE PHOENIX
     This is a scenic hike with lunch at Phoenix Lake. We should see Red Larkspur, Gypsum Spring Beauty, Baby Blue Eyes, and Ground Iris.  Maybe we'll hear the first  Orange-Crowned Warblers of the season singing their spring song!
     Go west on Sir Francis Drake Blvd. to Fairfax.  As you enter Fairfax, turn left at the gas station, and make an immediate right in front of the movie theater.  This puts you on Broadway.  Make the first left onto Bolinas Ave.  Just after it veers left, turn left on Porteous Ave.  Follow it to the parking lot at Deer Park. 
     15 minutes from College of Marin.  Restrooms at trailhead

MARCH 13   FINAL EXAM   BON TEMPE LAKE
       We’ll do the hike we missed in December because of the slide.  This could be the week for our first Acmon blue butterfly!
       Remember to bring your contribution to our gourmet feast, a plate, cup, and utensils.
       As you enter Fairfax on Sir Francis Drake Blvd. jog left when you see the movie theater and make an immediate right.  This puts you on the street that parallels SF Drake but is on the other side of the parkade. Make the first left which is Bolinas Ave. Follow the Bolinas-Fairfax Rd. for about 1 mile. Turn left onto Sky Oaks Rd. Pass the kiosk and pull in to the parking area on the right where you pay. Follow the paved road on to Lake Lagunitas. We’ll have lunch at the picnic area at Lake Lagunitas so you don’t need to carry the food for the potluck.
             Time: 30 minutes from College of Marin. Restrooms at trailhead, portables en route.

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