Palomarin Point Reyes National Seashore (6/5/18)

We continue our summer hikes this coming week with a trip to Point Reyes National Seashore, this time beginning at the far southern end of the park at the Palomarin trailhead near Bolinas. Remember, Natalie Clark is leading this hike. Cost for the hike is $20.

Here's Wendy's description of this outing: "This hike is not a loop, but has incredible ocean views making it well worth the drive! We should see Bee Plant, Seep-Spring Monkey Flower, Salmonberries as well as butterflies and dragonflies. Lunch at Bass Lake." (Click here for a recap of our July 2010 hike. Click here for an album of photos from that hike.)

Directions to the trailhead: Take Sir Francis Drake Boulevard west to Olema. Turn left (south) onto Highway 1. Pass Five Brooks and Dogtown, and take the unmarked right turn (onto Horseshoe Hill Road which merges with the Olema-Bolinas Road) towards the town of Bolinas. (If you find yourself going along the shore of Bolinas Lagoon, you've driven too far south and missed the turn.) Turn right on Mesa Road (which eventually becomes a dirt road) and follow it to the Palomarin trailhead parking lot. Unless the road has been graded, be prepared for a washboard condition (lots of potholes).  

Click here for a Google Map that shows the parking lot at the trailhead. Click on the teardrop icon to get driving directions and time from your location.

Carpool leaves St. Rita at 8:40 a.m.

If you're coming from southern Marin you may prefer to take Highway 1 north, turning left just past the end of the lagoon onto the unmarked road into the town of Bolinas, then right on to Mesa Road to get to the trailhead.

Toilets at the trailhead. If you can't wait, use the porta-potties at Five Brooks, a right turn off Highway 1 for those coming south from Olema. For those heading north from southern Marin, turn left off the highway into Muir Beach or at the ocean overlook just to the north.

Weather forecast:  As of Thursday, May 31st, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was sunny, with a high near 64. (Click here for an updated forecast).

More on this hike: The "F17 Coast Trail to Wildcat Camp" hike in the Martin's book, Hiking Marin, is 11 miles long, but shows the route that we'll take up to Bass Lake, 2.7 miles from the trailhead. (The 8.5 mile "Alamere Falls and Double Point Overlook" hike in Tracy Salcedo-Chourre's Exploring Point Reyes National Seashore and Golden Gate National Recreation Area says the distance to the north shore of the lake is 2.9 miles, while the park's South District Hiking Map pegs it at 2.8 miles).  We’ll retrace our steps back to the trailhead after lunch so our total hiking distance will be around 5.5-6.0 miles.

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MUDDY HOLLOW LOOP (5/29/18)

This week's hike will be with Natalie Clark. It is a loop hike from the Muddy Hollow Trailhead at the Point Reyes National Seashore. Cost for the hike is $20.

Here's Wendy's description of our upcoming hike: "This is a lovely loop with views of Limantour Estero. We often see Tule Elk on this hike (sometimes even calves) and there is a chance of the endangered Myrle's silverspot butterfly."

 (Note: this hike is longer than we usually do (about 7 miles), so sometimes we make it back on time but sometimes we get back late).

Directions to the trailhead: Take Sir Francis Drake Boulevard west to Olema. Turn right on Route 1, then make an immediate left onto Bear Valley Road.

Continue past Park Headquarters (turn in if you need a restroom, there are none at the trailhead) and go left on Limantour Road.

When you see a paved road to the Hostel on the left, turn right on the dirt road to Muddy Hollow parking lot.

Click here for a map showing the trailhead. Click on the teardrop icon to get driving times and directions from your location.

Carpool from St. Rita at 8:55 am.

Weather forecast: As of Wednesday, May 23rd, the National Weather Service forecast for this area at the time of our hike was patchy fog, otherwise sunny with a high near 61. (Click here for an updated forecast).

More on this hike: The Martins' book, Hiking Marin, was lasted updated in 2006, so it does not show the current trail which now only loops back to the Muddy Hollow Trailhead and no longer has an offshoot that goes to the Limantour Beach parking lot as shown on the Martins’ map. But their hike "G8 Muddy Hollow Rd - Estero Trail" does show the area where we'll be hiking.

However, the Point Reyes National Seashore's North District Hiking Map includes the new loop trail and pegs the distance at exactly 7.0 miles. The following Google Earth image shows the area (click on it to open a larger picture in your Web browser).

Angel Island State Park Hike (5/22/18)

Angel Island State Park is the destination for our next summer hike.  Here's Wendy's description of the outing: Angel Island is often good for butterflies like Anise Swallowtails, Western Tiger Swallowtails, California Sisters, and Pipevine Swallowtails.

We'll meet at the ferry dock at 21 Main Street at 9:50 a.m..

Allow time to park and don't miss the boat! (Although it's only a 10-minute trip, the next ferry doesn't run until 11:00 a.m.)

Parking gets more expensive the closer you get to the ferry. There is sometimes on-street free parking if you make a left on Mar West, the corner the library is on. (See map at left). Allow ten minutes to walk (click here to view and print walking directions) from there to the ferry.

Directions to the ferry dock: We'll take the 10 a.m. ferry from Tiburon to the island. Bring cash or check to pay for the ferry ($14.00 for Seniors, $15 for adults, covers round trip ferry and park entrance fee, pay as you board) No credit cards and no Clipper Cards. Bring $22 in cash or check for Wendy, too!

Here is a map of parking lots (cash only, no credit or debit cards, accepted) and the ferry dock provided by the Angel Island Conservancy:

Restrooms at ferry in Tiburon and on Angel Island. Carpool from Greenbrae Park and Ride at 9:10 a.m.

We'll take the last ferry of the day back at 3:30 p.m. Please note the late ending time.

Weather forecast: As of Thursday, May 17th, the National Weather Service forecast for Angel Island for Tuesday's hike was partly sunny, with a high near 62. (Click here for an updated forecast).

More information on this hike: The Martin's book, Hiking Marin, sets out two hikes on the island: "A12 North Ridge Trail to Mt. Livermore" and "A13 Angel Island Perimeter Trail."

Click here to go to the Angel Island State Park page on the California State Park's Web site.  Click here for on-line information provided by the Angel Island Conservancy.

You'll find a map of the island on page 4 of the state park brochure.

Click here to listen to a podcast about Angel Island. (It may take a while for the audio player to display in your Web browser.)

Here's a Google Earth bird's eye view of the island:

Summer schedule for hikes led by Natalie Clark

Natalie says:

Hi Everyone!

I will be leading a few of Wendy’s hikes while she is getting ready for her trip as well as a few while she is on her trip.

I am very excited for this opportunity and I hope you will join me. 

Please e-mail or call me if you are planning to attend. I just want to make sure we have at least 5 or more people attending. My cell number is (415) 686-1681. If I need to cancel, and you have planned on attending, I will let you know the night before either by a phone call or an e-mail. Cost for each hike is $20.

Natalie's email: gnatsimi@comcast.net

Here is the schedule:

Tuesday, May 29th, the Muddy Hollow Loop.       

Wendy says:

This is a lovely loop with views of Limantour Estero. We often see Tule Elk on this hike (sometimes even calves!), and there is a chance of the endangered Myrtle’s Silverspot butterfly. 

     Take Sir Francis Drake Blvd. west to Olema. Turn right on Rt.1, then make an immediate left onto Bear Valley Rd. Continue past Park Headquarters (turn in if you need a restroom) and go left on Limantour Rd. Turn right for the parking lot at Muddy Hollow. (Youth Hostel is to the left.) Carpool leaves St. Rita at 8:55. Note: this hike is longer than a usual meander, about 7 miles, so we could get back late. (Some years we've been on time and some years as much as an hour late.) 

Monday, June 4th,  Angel Island 

We'll take the 10 AM ferry over. Allow time to park and don't miss the boat! We'll go to the top of Mt. Livermore and take the 3:30 ferry which arrives back in Tiburon about 3:45. Angel Island is often good for butterflies like Anise Swallowtails, Western Tiger Swallowtails, California Sisters, and Pipevine Swallowtails. Bring $15.00 ($14 for seniors) in cash for ferry and park entrance. NOTE LATE ENDING TIME!

     

Restrooms at ferry in Tiburon and on Angel Island. Carpool from Greenbrae Park and 

Ride at 9:10.

Tuesday, June 5th, Palomarin

JULY 9 PALOMARIN, POINT REYES NATIONAL SEASHORE

     This hike is not a loop, but has incredible ocean views making it well worth the drive! We should see Bee Plant, Seep-Spring Monkey Flower, Salmonberries as well as butterflies and dragonflies. Lunch at Bass Lake.

     Take Sir Francis Drake Blvd. west to Olema. Turn left (south) on Rt. 1. Pass Five Brooks and Dogtown, and take the unmarked right turn towards the town of Bolinas. (If you find yourself going along the shore of Bolinas Lagoon, you've just missed the turn.) Turn right on Mesa Rd. and follow it to the Palomarin trailhead parking lot. This is a long dirt road so don't wash your car the day before! If you're coming from south Marin you may prefer to take Rt. 1 north, turning left just past the end of the lagoon onto the unmarked road into the town of Bolinas.

     1 hour 10 min. from College of Marin. Outhouse at trailhead.

Tuesday, June 19th, Laguna Trailhead, Point Reyes

Today we explore four habitats: coastal scrub, beach, marsh, and a riparian (streamside) habitat with alders and willows. Lunch at the beach. We may see some of the tule elk that were transferred from Tomales Point.

     Take Sir Francis Drake Blvd. west to Olema. Turn right on Rt.1, then make an immediate left onto Bear Valley Rd. Continue past Park Headquarters (turn in if you need a restroom) and go left on Limantour Rd. Turn left at the sign for the youth hostel. Follow that road until you see a right turn across a bridge to the Laguna Trailhead by the Clem Miller Education Center. Park in the parking lot.    

     No restrooms at trailhead. Outhouse before lunch. 55 minutes from College of Marin.

Tuesday, June 26th, Laguna Trailhead, Point Reyes

Today we take a different route from a familiar trailhead to make a 4.6 mile loop. We can expect butterflies including Painted Ladies, Mylitta Crescents, Common Buckeyes, Wood Nymphs, Acmon Blues, and Red Admirals. We get our exercise on the uphill before lunch and then stroll downhill to complete the loop.

       See June 19 for directions.

Tuesday, July 3rd, Bull Point, Point Reyes

A beautiful but soggy (in places) walk timed to see the Coast Lily blooming at its only site in Marin! Other endangered flowers we’ve seen other years include the Swamp Harebell, Large-Flowered Linanthus, and Point Reyes Checkerbloom. We may also see Yellow-Eyed Grass, Tinker's Penny, White-Flowered Bog Orchid, and Hooker’s Evening Primrose. Some off trail walking but very little elevation gain.

       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 (don't turn in) and go left when you hit Sir Francis Drake again. Go through Inverness. Go left at the "Y" and pass MCI and RCA stations. The Bull Point parking lot will be on your         left.

     No restrooms at trailhead, so stop at Bear Valley. 1 hour from COM.

Rock Spring, Mount Tamalpais, Final Exam May 15, 2018

As we do each year, we'll wrap up the Spring College of Marin hiking series with this Mount Tamalpais State Park hike. (Click here for a recap of our 2010 hike.  View photos from past hikes in the online album).

Here's Wendy's outline for the hike: "We should see Coral Roots (a native orchid), Meadow Rue, and Golden Banners on this mostly shady loop hike."

"Bring a plate and utensils, and food to share for the Gourmet Final!"

Directions to trailhead: Go south on Highway 101 to the Mill Valley Exit, East Blithdale. Turn left on Camino Alto (use the left turn only lane). Turn right on Miller Ave. Turn left on Montford. (The 2AM Club is the landmark.) Turn right on Molino. There is a yellow dividing line on the road so if in doubt "follow the yellow line road".  Moline becomes Edgewood, which becomes Sequoia Valley Road. At the large intersection at the top, turn right onto Panoramic Highway. At the intersection for the Pantoll Ranger Station, the road divides. Turn right onto Pantoll and keep heading uphill for about one mile. You'll come to an intersection with Ridgecrest Blvd. You'll be facing a dirt parking lot which is Rock Spring. Park here. (Click here for a map showing the parking area at the trailhead.   Click on the teardrop icon or click on "Directions" on the left-hand side of the screen to get  driving time and directions from your location.)

Driving time from College of Marin 55 minutes.

Carpoolers can meet at the Greenbrae Park and Ride lot at 9:10 a.m. (Click here for a map showing the parking lot on Drakes Landing Road; right click on the teardrop icon to get driving time and directions from your location.)

There is an outhouse at trailhead and mid-way.

Weather forecast: As of Friday, May 11th, the National Weather Service forecast for the area around Rock Spring on Mt. Tam was mostly sunny, with a high near 57. (Click here for an updated forecast).

More on this hike: The "B17 Simmons - Potrero - Arturo Trails" hike in the Martins' book, Hiking Marin, shows the trails that we'll be hiking on, although we'll probably follow a different route (Simmons to Benstein to Potrero Meadows to Laurel Dell and back up the Cataract Trail to Rock Spring). Page 6 of the state park brochure has a trail map that shows the area.

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

The Google Earth image below shows were we'll be on the mountain. (Click on the photo to open a larger image in your Web browser).

Error Correction - Registration begins May 14, 2018

Registration opens at 9 AM on Monday, May 14, 2018 - not May 7th.

Thanks to Barbara for catching the error.

HIKES BETWEEN SPRING AND SUMMER SESSIONS

Wendy's Summer Schedule is as follows:

Monday, May 21, the Muddy Hollow Loop.  

     

Wendy says:
This is a lovely loop with views of Limantour Estero. We often see Tule Elk on this hike (sometimes even calves!), and there is a chance of the endangered Myrtle’s Silverspot butterfly. 

     Take Sir Francis Drake Blvd. west to Olema. Turn right on Rt.1, then make an immediate left onto Bear Valley Rd. Continue past Park Headquarters (turn in if you need a restroom) and go left on Limantour Rd. Turn right for the parking lot at Muddy Hollow. (Youth Hostel is to the left.) Carpool leaves St. Rita at 8:55. Note: this hike is longer than a usual meander, about 7 miles, so we could get back late. (Some years we've been on time and some years as much as an hour late.) 

Tuesday, May 22  Angel Island 

We'll take the 10 AM ferry over. Allow time to park and don't miss the boat! We'll go to the top of Mt. Livermore and take the 3:30 ferry which arrives back in Tiburon about 3:45. Angel Island is often good for butterflies like Anise Swallowtails, Western Tiger Swallowtails, California Sisters, and Pipevine Swallowtails. Bring $15.00 ($14 for seniors) in cash for ferry and park entrance. NOTE LATE ENDING TIME!

     
Restrooms at ferry in Tiburon and on Angel Island. Carpool from Greenbrae Park and Ride at 9:10.

Natalie will be in touch to see if people want to hike on May 29, June 4 and June 5.  Wendy will be getting ready for the safari. 

SUMMER SESSION INFO

Over the summer Monday Meanders will be through College of Marin.  The summer session is 6 weeks long, from June 11 to July 16.  Wendy will be doing June 11, July 9 and July 16.  Natalie Clark will be doing the other three weeks while Wendy is leading the safari in Tanzania.  

Registration is on Monday, May 7.  Wendy says that for this spring session the Monday class filled up at 9:07 a.m. so it's best to register early.

Class Information:

Course/Class Number: 9395b/3388

Staff Phone: 415-485-9305

Wendy will be doing private Tuesday hikes when she is in town. Natalie will be offering some private Tuesday hikes while Wendy is away.  These will be by the hike so you don't need to sign up for a session. 

KENT PUMP ROAD (5/8/2018)

Here's Wendy's description of this outing: "While I know we all like loops, I was so excited about osprey nests last spring when I took this hike that I decided to add it to our itinerary. Kent Lake is the largest of the MMWD reservoirs. The first Osprey nest was found at Kent Lake in 1967 when ospreys had been so decimated by DDT it was a big deal to see one. The first bald eagle nested there in 2008. In 2017 there were about eighteen active nests. We’ll hike as far as the first few nests."

Directions to trailhead: 

Take the Fairfax-Bolinas Road to the Alpine Dam. Parking is limited, so carpool if possible. Park when you see the dam ahead (first choice), or cross the dam and turn around so you can park on the other side and walk back across the dam. Click for Alpine Dam

Time: 35 minutes from College of Marin. 
No restrooms at trailhead.

Note from Wendy:

Parking is very limited, so if you have room in your car, please meet at the Parkade in Fairfax to carpool at 9:15.  Unless you are driving via Route 1, everyone will have to pass through Fairfax.  

https://www.waze.com/directions/united-states/fairfax/fairfax-parkade/155582844.1555893975.3485720.html

Weather forecast: As of Thursday, May 3rd, the National Weather Service forecast for this hike was mostly sunny with a high near 75. (Click here for an updated forecast).