Meandering in Marin on Tuesdays

Spring 2012 Hike Registration Opens Monday, 2/27

2012-02-21T20:18:00.002-08:00

Registration for the Spring 2012 College of Marin term opens on Monday February 27th.

Look for more details on the class numbers and dates from Wendy soon.

Bootjack to West Point Hike Photos Now Online!

2012-02-21T20:16:00.000-08:00

Photos taken by Theresa Fisher during last week's Bootjack to Mountain Theater and West Point Inn hike are now online!

View them on the Meandering blog or click here for the on-line album.

Sky Trail To Mt. Wittenberg Hike (2/28) Preview

2012-02-21T19:34:00.000-08:00

This loop has spectacular views of the estero and the ocean! (Yes, we do have to hike uphill to earn this reward). Lunch at a scenic spot on Mt. Wittenberg. Last year we saw Amanita muscaria, Zeller's boletes, Pleated Marasmius, and lots of other mushrooms, as well as the start of some spring wildflowers. Level and downhill after lunch. (Click here for a recap of the hike we took on February 2, 2010).

Directions to 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 the turn-off to Park Headquarters and go left on Limantour Road. Trailhead is 3.3 miles from this turn at the crest of the road. The parking lot is on your left.

50 minutes from College of Marin. There are no restrooms at trailhead, so stop at the Bear Valley Visitor Center if you need a restroom prior to the hike; there will be pit toilets at Sky Camp which we'll reach about 10:30 a.m.

Carpoolers should depart from St. Rita's 8:45 a.m. (to allow time for a restroom break at Bear Valley), or by 9:00 a.m. at the latest if driving directly to the trailhead without stopping at Bear Valley first.

Weather forecast: As of Tuesday evening, February 21, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was a slight chance of rain, but mostly sunny, with a high near 54. (Click here for an updated forecast).

More on this hike: We'll do a variation on the 4.6 mile hike "G1 Sky-Horse-Z Ranch Trails" in the Martin's book, Hiking Marin. Presumably we'll do this hike in reverse, going from Junction 1 to 4, then to 3, up to the top of Mt. Wittenberg, then down to 2, and back to 1 before returning to the trailhead. (Click here for the park's South District Hiking Map which shows these trails).

Steep Ravine to Dipsea Trail Hike (2/21) Preview

2012-02-15T12:59:00.000-08:00

On this favorite February hike we should see Giant Wake Robin, Redwood Evergreen Violets, Star Lilies, Smith’s Fairy Bells, Fetid Adder’s Tongue and Calypso Rrchids! We’ll go up Steep Ravine since some of us find the ladder is easier to go up than down. Lunch at Pantoll. (Click here for a recap of our 2010 hike).

Directions to the trailhead: Take the Stinson Beach/Highway 1 exit off Highway 101. Go through Tam Junction, stay on Route 1, and follow signs to Muir Beach. Pass the road that goes to Muir Beach staying on Route 1 (towards Stinson Beach), pass Slide Ranch, and keep going until you see the locked gate for the Steep Ravine cabins on the west (left) side of the road. There is parking is on the east (right) side of Highway 1.

Time: 1 hour 5 minutes from COM. No restrooms at trailhead (but you can turn in at Muir Beach en route and use the ones in the parking lot). Carpoolers can meet at the Greenbrae Park & Ride lot at 8:50 a.m.

Weather forecast: As of Wednesday, February 15th, the forecast for the hike was partly sunny, with a high near 55. (Click here for an updated forecast).

More on this hike: If you have the Martins' book, Hiking Marin, look at their hike "B14 Dipsea - Steep Ravine Trails" which starts at Pantoll, goes down the Dipsea, up Steep Ravine, and ends back at Pantoll. Since we're beginning and ending our outing down on Highway 1, our hike will be slightly longer, but basically the reverse of the Martins' hike. (Page 6 of the Mt. Tam State Park brochure has a park map that you can "zoom in" on to see these trails).

Bootjack to West Point Inn Hike (2/14) Preview

2012-02-10T13:16:00.000-08:00

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).
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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, $7 for seniors, if you don't have a state park pass) on your right --- 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 (one at Bootjack will be closed through June, but the other should be open) and lunch stop. Driving time from College of Marin: 55 minutes. Carpoolers meet at Greenbrae Park & Ride Lot at 9:00 a.m.

Weather forecast: As of Friday, February 10th, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was partly sunny, with a high near 48. (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).

Note that the trail closure mentioned on the Mt. Tam State Park Website is for a section of the trail between down to Muir Woods from Bootjack; our route is higher up the mountain, from Bootjack up to the Mountain Theater, east to the West Point Inn, and then back to Bootjack.

Weather Update: Audubon Canyon Ranch Hike

2012-02-06T09:57:00.000-08:00

As of 9:22 a.m. on Monday, February 6, the National Weather Service forecast for the Audubon Canyon Ranch area on Tuesday was showers, mainly before 4pm. High near 57. Breezy, with a east southeast wind between 14 and 22 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Click here for an updated forecast.

Be sure to dress warmly and wear or bring your rain gear unless the weather system has passed through Marin by early Tuesday morning. While a good part of the hike is through a forested area and may offer some protection from the wind, both the beginning and ending sections are exposed to the elements.

Blithedale Canyon Loop Hike Photos Now Online!

2012-02-06T09:15:00.000-08:00

Photos taken by Theresa Fisher during last week's Blithedale Canyon Loop hike are now online!

View them on the Meandering blog or click here for the on-line album.

Audubon Canyon Hike (2/7) Preview

2012-02-02T10:35:00.000-08:00

Lucky us! We have permission to hike in Audubon Canyon Ranch Bolinas Lagoon Preserve! This is beautiful habitat, not usually open to the public. We can hope to see the first Calypso Orchids, Suncups, Star Lillies, and Mission Bells. (Note: Depending on the rains, there may be some stream crossings walking on logs.) Click here for a recap of last year's hike. View photos from our past hikes at Audubon Canyon ranch in this online album).

Directions to trailhead: Coming from North or Central Marin: Take Sir Francis Drake Boulevard 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. Carpoolers can meet at St. Rita's Church in Fairfax at 8:45 am.

Coming from Southern Marin: From Highway 101 take the Stinson Beach exit. Follow approximately 12 miles to Stinson Beach. Continue 3 1/2 miles north to the preserve gate on right hand side of the highway.

Time: 1 hour from College of Marin. Restrooms at trailhead.

Weather forecast: As of Thursday, February 2nd, the National Weather Service forecast for this hike was mostly cloudy, with a high near 59 and a chance of rain. (Click here for an updated forecast).

More on this hike: If you have the Martins' book, Hiking Marin, go to hike "F18 Griffin Loop - Bird Overlook Trails" for a map of trails within the preserve. There are two major loop trails (probably about 3 miles long each) going uphill and down, and a shorter 0.8 mile loop nearer to the bottom of the hill. On our 2009 hike we went up the Zumie's Loop Trail, then through Junction 2 on the Martin's map, and continued south to where the Griffin Loop and Bourne trails meet, descended the Griffin Loop trail to the bottom of the hill, and then looped back to the parking area.

Winter 2012 Hike Schedule Now Online

2012-01-28T16:10:00.000-08:00

You'll find a listing of all Winter 2012 Meandering on Tuesdays hikes on the "Upcoming Hikes" page of the Meandering blog.

Click here to view and print the schedule and details for all of the hikes if you did not receive it via e-mail from Wendy or "snail mail" from the College of Marin.

The first hike is the Blithedale Canyon Loop on Tuesday, January 31st.

Blithedale Canyon Loop Hike (Jan 31) Preview

2012-01-28T16:03:00.000-08:00

This week we head to the the eastern side of Southern Marin near Mill Valley.

Here's Wendy's description of the hike: "A loop with great views of Mt. Tamalpais! We should see the beautiful Mist Maidens, Mission Bells, and huckleberry and Star Lillies in bloom. Probably a 9 fern day!"

(Click here to read a re-cap of our 2010 hike. View the online album of photos taken on past hikes on these trails).

Directions to trailhead: Take East Blithedale exit from Highway 101. Where you cross Throckmorton it becomes West Blithedale. Go 0.9 miles and look for parking at Marsh Drive and West Blithedale on both the left and the right sides of the street. (Click here for a map and driving directions).

Time: 30 minutes from COM. Carpoolers can meet at the Greenbrae Parking & Ride lot at 9:10 a.m. No restrooms at trailhead.

Weather forecast: As of Saturday, January 28, the National Weather Service forecast for Tuesday's hike was partly sunny, with a high near 59. (Click here for an updated forecast).

More on this hike: Hike "B1 Blithedale Ridge - Corte Madera Trails" in the Martins' book, Hiking Marin, shows the area we will be hiking in although our route may differ slightly from the one they set out for their hike. (This area is also shown on the maps of the Marin County Open Space District's Baltimore Canyon Preserve and Blithedale Summit Preserve).

This Google Earth image shows Marsh Drive and West Blithedale Avenue in Mill Valley where we'll meet to start our hike. We'll head up to the ridge at the top of the picture (which looks east over Corte Madera and Larkspur to the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge), hike along it, then double back to our starting point. (Click on the photo to open a larger image in your Web browser).

Sky Oaks to Deer Park “Final Exam” (1/24) Preview

2012-01-20T14:34:00.000-08:00

Downhill and level! Maybe we’ll see some of milkmaids that we saw on the Sky Trail to Bear Valley hike last Tuesday! (Click here for a recap of the hike we did in October of 2009).

Remember to bring plate, utensils, cups, and a delicious dish to share at the post-hike luncheon.

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: Meet at Deer Park to carpool. Take Bolinas Avenue 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. Shuttle drivers will take us to the parking area just beyond the Sky Oaks pay station and leave their cars there.

The day use fee is $8. You can use $1, $5, or $10 bills and coins at the automated pay station, or a Visa or Mastercard. Annual entrance passes are normally $60 ($30 for those 62 and older), but after September 1st you can buy one for half of those prices and the pass will be valid through January 31, 2012. (You can pay the annual pass fee at the automated pay station. Keep one part of the receipt which is a temporary pass good for two weeks, then: 1) stop at the Sky Oaks Ranger Station on the way out and ask them to send the other half of your receipt to the main office in Corte Madera which will issue the permanent pass and mail it to you, or 2) send or take the receipt to the main office yourself).

Restrooms at Deer Park and portable at Sky Oaks, and porta-potty en route. Carpool from St. Rita Church in Fairfax at 9:25 a.m.

Weather forecast: As of Friday, January 20, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was partly sunny with a high near 58. (Click here for an updated forecast).

More on this hike: The Martins' book, Hiking Marin, does not have a hike that matches this one. But their hikes "C 12 Taylor-Concrete Pipe-Bullfrog FR" and "C7 Deer Park FR-Canyon-Six Points" shows the the general area where we will be hiking as does the MMWD watershed trail map.

Sky Trail to Bear Valley Hike (1/17) Preview

2012-01-11T17:23:00.000-08:00

We return to Point Reyes National Seashore this week for our next to the last Winter 2011-2012 outing
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The trail is about 7.3 miles long, but a lot of it is fairly level, so it's a bit easier than the distance implies. 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! Note the earlier than usual meeting time at Bear Valley.

Directions to trailhead: We’ll meet at Bear Valley at 9:20 a.m. and carpool to Sky Trail. When we get to Mt. Wittenberg we’ll go down Old Pine to the Bear Valley Trail. We’ll need some people who are not in a rush to drive people back to Sky Trail after we reach the Bear Valley Visitor Center and parking lot.

Restrooms at Bear Valley, none at Sky Trail trailhead, but some as we pass Coast Camp.

Carpool leaves St. Rita Church in Fairfax at 8:45 a.m.

Weather forecast: As of Wednesday evening, January 11, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was mostly sunny with a high near 53. (Click here for an updated forecast).

More on this hike: "G3 Sky Trailhead to Bear Valley" in the Martins' book, Hiking Marin, is a version of this hike although we usually go straight at Junction #1 shown on their map and continue on to Sky Camp rather than take the detour up to Mt. Wittenberg (which we do on a separate loop hike from the Sky Trail trailhead) and then back down to the Sky Trail before continuing on to the Old Pine Trail, Divide Meadow and on to Bear Valley. (Click here for the Seashore's South District Hiking Map which shows these trails).

The following Google Earth image gives a bird's eye view of where we'll be hiking:

San Geronimo Ridge Hike (1/10) Preview

2012-01-08T10:16:00.000-08:00

On this hike, we will pass through a pygmy Sargaent cypress area, grasslands, and redwood habitat. There are muddy spots if it has rained, so wear hiking boots and waterproof them.

There is an elevation gain of about 600 feet, but most of the hike is along the ridgeline with sweeping views north and south.

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 meeting point: Meet 0.2 miles past the Shafter Bridge (and Cronin Fish Viewing Area parking lot) in Samuel P. Taylor State Park. There is some parking along the road here. We'll leave some cars and carpool to Conifer Way in Woodacre. No restrooms at trailhead. Carpool from St. Rita Church in Fairfax at 9:20 a.m.
Directions to trailhead from meeting point: For those who will drive to the trailhead from the meeting point, here are directions to Conifer Way: Go east on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. Turn right on Railroad Avenue.

Set your odometer when you turn right on Carson Road. At the 0.6 mile mark you will see a sign saying Ivy that makes you think the name of the street as changed.

Go right and you will still be on Carson.

Go 0.2 miles to the junction of Carson and Conifer Way. (There is another junction of Carson and Conifer which you will pass and ignore.) Cars that can do an "unmaintained road" (i.e., one fukll of big potholes) can turn left on Conifer Way and go to the top to park. Others with low clearance (like the Prius!) park at Carson and Conifer and we'll walk up.

Weather forecast: As of Sunday, January 18, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was a 20 percent chance of showers, but mostly sunny, with a high near 60. West northwest wind between 6 and 16 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. (Click here for an updated forecast).

More on this hike: On this outing we'll be hiking through the County of Marin's Gary Giacomini Open Space Preserve. After starting up the Conifer Fire Road,we'll head west along the San Geronimo Ridge Fire Road. (Click here for the MCOS District map which shows these trails). Barry Spitz' book, Open Spaces: Lands of the Marin County Open Space District, discusses this area.

The following Google Earth image shows the area we'll be hiking through; click on it to open a larger image in your Web browser:

Registration for Winter COM Hikes Begins Tuesday, January 3rd

2011-12-27T16:58:00.000-08:00

Registration for the Winter 2012 College of Marin session opens on Tuesday, January 3rd.

Here is the information you need to sign up for the Monday (listed first) or Tuesday hikes:

7 Mondays, 9:45am–1:45pm
Jan. 30–Mar. 19 (No class Feb. 20)
Fee $119
CRN# 15025 EC

7 Tuesdays, 9:45am–1:45pm
Jan. 31–Mar. 13
Fee $119
CRN# 15026 EC

Click here if you want to view or print the full College of Marin Community Education Schedule for Winter 2012. (Schedules were to be mailed out on Tuesday, December 27).

Alpine Dam to Bon Tempe Dam Hike (1/3) Preview

2011-12-27T16:52:00.000-08:00

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).

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. MEET HERE AT 9:15 a.m. Porta potties are in the parking lot. (Click here for directions from the MMWD Web site).

From Bon Tempe we’ll carpool to the trailhead (near Alpine Dam). Do not pay the $8 day use fee at the Sky Oaks entrance kiosk if you plan to take people to the trailhead. (You can use $1, $5, or $10 bills and coins at the automated pay station, or a Visa or Mastercard. Annual entrance passes for Marin residents are normally $60 ($30 for those 62 and older), but after September 1st you can buy one for half of those prices and the pass will be valid through January 31, 2012. (You can pay the annual pass fee at the automated pay station. Keep one part of the receipt which is a temporary pass good for two weeks, then: 1) stop at the Sky Oaks Ranger Station on the way out and ask them to send the other half of your receipt to the main office in Corte Madera which will issue the permanent pass and mail it to you, or 2) send or take the receipt to the main office yourself).

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

Carpool leaves St. Rita Church in Fairfax at 8:55 a.m.

Weather forecast: As of Tuesday, December 27th, the National Weather Service forecast for this area during the hike was partly sunny, with a high near 62. . (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).

No Hike Next Week!

2011-12-22T10:00:00.000-08:00

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

Our next outing will be on Tuesday, January 3rd.

Happy Holidays from the Meandering in Marin on Tuesdays blog!

No Hike Next Week!

2011-12-15T10:00:00.000-08:00

Just a reminder that there is no hike on Tuesday, December 20th.

Our next outing will be on Tuesday, January 3rd.

Happy Holidays from the Meandering in Marin on Tuesdays blog!

Lake Lagunitas "Final Exam" Hike Photos Now Online!

2011-12-12T12:57:00.001-08:00

Photos taken by Theresa Fisher during our December 6th Lake Lagunitas "Final Exam" hike are now online!

View them on the Meandering blog or click here for the on-line album.

New "Central Marin Community Map Book"

2011-12-09T18:36:00.001-08:00

Here's a new book of maps that will either be delivered to you or that you can pick up at various locations in Marin:
	Comprehensive Map Covers Ross Valley Innovative free maps come to Central Marin.... By Kelly Dunleavy O'Mara Read more »

Mushroom Identification Guide

2011-12-06T16:15:00.001-08:00

In case you didn't get a copy of Wendy's mushroom identification guide when we did the Bahia hike or via Theresa Fisher's recent e-mail, click here to view and download a copy.

Bahia Hike Photos Now Online!

2011-12-06T16:05:00.001-08:00

Photos taken by Theresa Fisher during our November 29th Bahia hike are now online!

View them on the Meandering blog or click here for the on-line album.

Pine Mt./Elliott Preserve Hike (12/13) Preview

2011-12-06T15:43:00.001-08:00

SHUTTLE HIKE - NOTE EARLY STARTING, LATE ENDING TIME

CALL WENDY AT 457-3949 or send her an e-mail her at bdreskin@comcast.net if you are coming!

This one-way shuttle 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. (Click here for the recap of our hike in this area in January of 2009. The January 2010 hike was cancelled due to bad weather).

Directions to trailhead: We need some people to meet at the end of Cascade Drive in Fairfax at 9:20 a.m. If you have time pressure after class go there as well, since the car shuttle won’t get us back to the trailhead until a little after 2:00 pm. Wendy will drive those drivers to the start of the hike.

Others should meet at the trailhead by taking the Bolinas-Fairfax Road past the Meadow Club (golf course) and up to the crest of the hill. Park in the parking lot across from the Pine Mountain Fire Road. 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. There may be a porta-potty at the trailhead.

Carpool to the trailhead (not the end of Cascade Drive) will leave from St. Rita's at 9:25 a.m. (Wendy won't be at St. Rita's she is going early to drive to the end of Cascade Drive).

Weather forecast: As of Tuesday afternoon, December 6th, the National Weather Service forecast for Fairfax onthe day of the hike was mostly sunny, with a high near 59. (Click here for an updated forecast).

More on this hike: We'll be hiking on both MMWD watershed lands (click here for a map that you can view, zoom in on or print) and those of the Marin County Open Space District (click here for a description of the preserve (now called Cascade Canyon Open Space Preserve insttead of Elliott Preserve) on the District's Website, or click here for a map of this area).

Cranberry Soup Recipe

2011-12-06T15:04:00.001-08:00

Click here to view and print the recipe for the cranberry soup Dick Jordan brought to today's "Final Exam" hike around Lake Lagunitas.

Lake Lagunitas “Final Exam” Hike (12/6) Preview

2011-11-30T14:13:00.001-08:00

We return to the MMWD watershed for our final hike of the Fall 2009 "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).

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. (Click here for the MMWD map and directions). The continue past to toll booth until you reach the end of the room.

The day use fee is $8. You can use $1, $5, or $10 bills and coins at the automated pay station, or a Visa or Mastercard. Annual entrance passes are normally $60 ($30 for those 62 and older), but after September 1st you can buy one for half of those prices and the pass will be valid through January 31, 2012. (You can pay the annual pass fee at the automated pay station. Keep one part of the receipt which is a temporary pass good for two weeks, then: 1) stop at the Sky Oaks Ranger Station on the way out and ask them to send the other half of your receipt to the main office in Corte Madera which will issue the permanent pass and mail it to you, or 2) send or take the receipt to the main office yourself).

Time: 30 minutes from College of Marin. Restrooms in parking lot. Carpoolers can meet at St. Rita's Church at 9:20 a.m.

Weather forecast: As of Wednesday November 30, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was sunny, with a high near 60. (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).

Sky Oaks Hike Photos Now Online!

2011-11-27T16:40:00.001-08:00

Photos taken by Theresa Fisher during our November 22nd Sky Oaks hike are now online!

View them on the Meandering blog or click here for the on-line album.

Thanksgiving “Bird” Watching

2011-11-24T21:06:00.000-08:00

Spotting a flock of wild turkeys in the rural areas surrounding San Francisco Bay is so common that Dick Jordan is almost certain to see them in a field just ten minutes’ drive to the west of his home. But he never expected to find one at the condominium complex in El Cerrito where he had gone for Thanksgiving dinner.

This turkey strode slowly up to Dick after he parked his car, eyeing Dick as though it was he that was going to be on the turkey’s carte du jour. Fortunately for this Tom, he lived to eat another day, while one of his feathered friends joined Dick at table.

(Click here to read more about locally grown birds that were served up for Thanksgiving dinner).

Winterim Hike Schedule Now Available!

2011-11-23T16:42:00.001-08:00

The dates for all Winterim 2011-2012 hikes have been posted on the "Upcoming Hikes" page of the Meandering in Marin on Tuesdays blog.

You can view and print the details for all of these hikes from a link on that page, or by clicking here.

Bahia Hike (11/29/10) Preview

2011-11-23T15:57:00.001-08:00

For our next hike we'll head north to the Novato area and do some bird watching on a portion of the Marin County Open Space lands. (Click here for a recap of our 2009 hike).

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. We usually see at least eight species of ducks, as well as swans, grebes, 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.

Driving time from College of Marin: 35 minutes. No restrooms.

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.

Weather forecast: As of Wednesday, November 23, the weather forecast for this hike was patchy fog, otherwise mostly 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.

Samuel P. Taylor Hike Photos Now Online!

2011-11-23T15:54:00.001-08:00

Photos taken by Theresa Fisher during our November 15th hike in Samuel P. Taylor State Park are now online!

View them on the Meandering blog or click here for the on-line album.

Sky Oaks Hike (Nov. 22) Preview

2011-11-20T10:26:00.001-08:00

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 usually a goodmushroom hike with Boletes, Amanitas, Waxy Caps, Milky Caps and more." (Click here to read about our hike in this general area on October 24, 2008).

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. (Click here for the MMWD map and directions).

The day use fee is $8. You can use $1, $5, or $10 bills and coins at the automated pay station, or a Visa or Mastercard. Annual entrance passes for Marin residents are normally $60 ($30 for those 62 and older), but after September 1st you can buy one for half of those prices and the pass will be valid through January 31, 2012. (You pay the annual pass fee at the automated pay station, then have to either stop at the Sky Oaks Ranger Station on the way out and ask them to send your receipt to the main office in Corte Madera which will issue the pass and mail it to you, or you have to send or take the receipt to that office yourself).

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 Sunday, November 20th, the weather forecast for this hike was Partly sunny, with a high near 60, southeast wind between 3 and 5 mph. (Click here for an updated National Weather service forecast).

More on this hike: Hike C12 (Taylor-Concrete Pipe-Bullfrog Fire Road) 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).

Muir Woods Hike Photos Now Online!

2011-11-15T08:03:00.001-08:00

Photos taken by Theresa Fisher during our November 8th Muir Woods hike are now online!

View them on the Meandering blog or click here for the on-line album.

Samuel P. Taylor State Park Hike (11/15) Preview

2011-11-09T16:27:00.000-08:00

This week we'll head toward West Marin and stop at Samuel P. Taylor State Park. We'll hike up towards, but not all the way to the summit, of Mount Barnabe. Here's Wendy's description of the hike: "This may be only mountain named for a mule! We’re not going all the way to the lookout on the top, so we’ll keep within our 1000’ elevation gain limit. (Mount Barnabe is 1446’; click here for photos taken from the fire lookout). The way up is longer and more gradual (about 5% grade), but you’ll want your hiking poles for the shorter fire road down. We’ll stop by the Samuel and Sarah Taylor’s grave site."

Directions: Take Sir Francis Drake Boulevard past the main park entrance. As you head west, watch for the sign for Devil’s Gulch on your right and the dirt parking area on your left.

Time: 40 minutes from College of Marin. No restrooms at trailhead. (Use ones at main park entrance as you pass by.) Carpoolers can meet at St. Rita's Church in Fairfax at 9:15 am.

Weather Forecast: As of Wednesday afternoon, November 9th, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was mostly sunny, with a high near 57. (Click here for an updated forecast).

More On This Hike: Hike "D11 Devil's Gulch to Mt. Barnabe" in the Martins' book, Hiking Marin, shows the trails we'll follow, although we'll skip the sidetrip to the summit. You can find the trails on the park brochure available in PDF format from the park's Website.

Steep Ravine Hike Photos Now Online!

2011-11-07T09:01:00.000-08:00

Photos taken by Theresa Fisher during our November 1st Steep Ravine hike are now online!

View them on the Meandering blog or click here for the on-line album.

Dipsea to Ben Johnson Hike (11/8) Preview

2011-11-03T16:49:00.000-07:00

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 some mushrooms." (Click here to read the recap of our 2/10/09 hike on these trails).

Directions to trailhead: From Highway 101 take the Stinson Beach exit, turn left (west) on Shoreline Highway, right on Panoramic Highway and left on Muir Woods Road. Meet at Muir Woods Parking Lot #2. Time: 35 minutes from College of Marin. Restrooms at trailhead. (Carpoolers can meet at the Greenbrae Park & Ride lot near the intersection of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and Highway 101 at 9:10 am).

Weather forecast: As of Thursday, November 3, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was mostly sunny, with a high near 65. (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.

Tundra Swan at Abbott's Lagoon?

2011-10-29T18:33:00.000-07:00

While hiking on Saturday, October 29 near Abbott's Lagoon, Dick Jordan's wife, Cindy, encountered a group of birders looking for a swan. Later in the afternoon, she spotted a large white bird flying overhead near the footbridge at the outlet of the lagoon. The bird may have been a tundra swan --- a possible sighting of one at Drakes Bay was reported last Saturday.

Latest Hike Photos Now Online!

2011-10-29T17:16:00.000-07:00

Photos taken by Theresa Fisher during our October 25 Bootjack to Mountain Theater hike are now online!

View them on the Meandering blog or click here for the on-line album.

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

2011-10-29T17:09:00.000-07:00

This week we once again hike in Mount Tamalpais State Park.

This lovely loop takes up be 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.

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 began), 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 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.

Weather forecast: As of Saturday, October 29, the National Weather forecast for the hike was mostly sunny with a high near 73. (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.

Latest Hike Photos Now Online!

2011-10-23T23:08:00.000-07:00

Photos taken by Theresa Fisher during our October 18 Tennessee Valley hike are now online!

View them on the Meandering blog or click here for the on-line album.

Fall 2 Hike List

2011-10-22T15:00:00.000-07:00

In case you didn't get Wendy's e-mail, here is a list of all of the upcoming "Fall 2" hikes.

This list is also on the "Upcoming Hikes" page of the Meandering blog.

October 25 - Bootjack to Mountain Theater, Mount Tam
November 1 - East Peak, Mount Tam State Park
November 8 - Dipsea to Ben Johnson, Muir Woods
November 15 - Samuel P. Taylor State Park
November 22 - Sky Oaks, MMWD
November 29 - Bahia Open Space, Novato
December 6 - Lake Lagunitas "Final Exam", MMWD

Click here to view and print a complete list of Fall 2 Tuesday Hikes

Bootjack to Mountain Theater Hike (10/25) Preview

2011-10-22T14:46:00.000-07:00

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).
.
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 --- 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 meet at Greenbrae Park & Ride Lot at 9:00 a.m.

Weather forecast: As of Saturday, October 22, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was mostly sunny, with a high near 67. (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 in this area although we could take a slightly different route. (Click here to view a copy of the Mount Tamalpais State Park brochure; the park map on page 6 shows the trails).

Soup and Wine du Jour

2011-10-18T18:15:00.000-07:00

If you liked the Blood Mary Soup that Dick Jordan made for today's "Final Exam" luncheon, click here to view and download the recipe.

Dick used heirloom tomatoes (fairly cheap in the grocery stores in September-October), but any tomatoes, including Romas, would probably work okay. He's found that it normally takes about 2 hours (at 350 degrees) to roast large heirloom tomatoes (cut in half before roasting), much longer than the 25 minutes suggested in the recipe.

Dick added more horseradish, Tobasco and Worcestershire sauce than called for --- start with what the recipe recommends, then add more if it doesn't seem spicy enough for you.

Dick used vegetable broth instead of chicken broth as called for in the recipe.

Sour cream could probably be substituted for creme fraiche.

The red wine that Dick brought today is a blend called "The Duke 8" made by Wellington Vineyards in the Sonoma Valley. Its composition varies a bit from year. This year's "The Duke 9" is still available (at $8/bottle it's a fantastic red wine bargain), but only at the winery's tasting room (or shipped to you after ordering online), and it will go fast as only a few hundred cases are made.

The rose was a 2010 Toad Hollow Dry Rose of Pinot Noir which you may be able to find at United Market for about $10/bottle.

The white wine was a 2009 Hanna Sauvignon Blanc. You can probably find the 2010 vintage at Costco for about $11/bottle, far less than the $19/bottle at-the-winery price or the $15.99/bottle price at BevMo.

Latest Hike Photos Now Online!

2011-10-14T18:43:00.000-07:00

Photos taken by Theresa Fisher during our October 4 Estero Trail hike are now online!

View them on the Meandering blog or click here for the on-line album.

To see the photos Theresa took during during last Tuesday's Laguna Trailhead-Bayview hike, click here.

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

2011-10-14T18:25:00.000-07:00

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 out 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).

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.

40 minutes from College of Marin. Carpoolers can meet at the Greenbrae Park & Ride lot 9:15 am. Portable toilets at the trailhead.

Weather forecast: As of Friday, October 14, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was mostly sunny,with a high near 68. (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.

This Weekend: Dick Jordan on The Radio with Rick Steves

2011-10-06T18:32:00.000-07:00

This weekend on the Travels with Rick Steves radio show, you can hear Dick Jordan, European travel guru, Rick Steves, and Rick’s special guest, Fabian Reuger, talk about Germany—especially the city of Dresden, Dick’s favorite stop in Germany during his month-long trip across Europe in 2009.

The show will air on public radio stations across the U.S. on Saturday, October 8th, and Sunday, October 9th. (Dick’s early-rising friends living in the San Francisco Bay Area can hear the show on KDFC at FM 89.9 and 90.3, Sunday at 6 a.m., Pacific Time).

What if you miss hearing the show "live”? Not a problem. Go to the Travels with Rick Steves program archives Website on October 9th and you can stream the program to your computer. You can also subscribe to podcasts of Travels with Rick Steves, or download and listen to a specific episode using iTunes.

Laguna Trailhead-Bayview-Loop Hike (10/11) Preview

2011-10-04T15:41:00.000-07:00

Today we take a different route from a familiar trailhead in Point Reyes National Seashore to make a 4.6 mile loop. We get our exercise on the uphill before lunch and then stroll downhill to complete the loop. (Click here for a recap of our November, 2008, election day hike).

Directions to trailhead: Note that this special advisory from the San Anselmo Police Department for the day of the hike that could affect those of us coming through San Anselmo and Fairfax to reach Point Reyes --- "Road work and lane closures (in both directions of travel) are scheduled to be performed on Sir Francis Drake Blvd. from 9 am – 3 pm. The lane closures will be between San Francisco Boulevard and Suffield Avenue (near the border of Fairfax). Drivers should expect delays during these hours and should plan accordingly. Plan to take alternative routes, if possible."

While we should be driving to and through Fairfax before Sir Francis Drake is closed westbound in the morning, it is possible that traffic headed toward Fairfax on both Sir Francis Drake and Center Boulevard before 9 a.m. will be heavy if drivers leave earlier than usual for their destinations.

After the hike, we will probably get back to St. Rita's Church sometime between 2:30-3:00 p.m., shortly before or just as Sir Francis Drake reopens. However, eastbound traffic on both Sir Francis Drake and Center Boulevard after 3 p.m. could be heavier than usual due to the closure of Drake earlier in the day.

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 or along the hike's route) and go left on Limantour Road. 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.

To save yourself a mile walk back to you car at the end of the hike, park at the Muddy Hollow parking lot and ride with a friend to the Laguna trailhead where we'll start our hike.

55 minutes from College of Marin. Carpoolers can meet at St. Rita's Church in Fairfax at 9:00 a.m.

No restrooms at trail head or along the route of the hike.

Weather Forecast: As of Tuesday afternoon, October 4, the National Weather Service forecast for the October 11th hike was sunny with a high of 59. (Click here for an updated forecast).

More on this hike: We'll follow the route of hike G5 in the Martins' book, Hiking Marin, by departing from the Laguna Trailhead, climbing up the Laguna Trail, then going down Sky Trail, across the Limantour Road, and descending the Bayview Trail to the Muddy Hollow parking lot. (If you left your car at the Laguna Trailhead and can't hitch a ride back to it, you've got a final half-mile walk back to your wheels). The Point Reyes National Seashore North District Trail Map shows the trails we'll follow.

Tomales Point Hike Photos Now Online!

2011-10-02T10:44:00.000-07:00

Photos taken by Theresa Fisher during last Tuesday's Tomales Point hike are now online!

View them on the Meandering blog or click here for the on-line album

Update on Sir Francis Drake Re-Paving

2011-10-01T09:35:00.001-07:00

There's good news, and there's bad news, about the re-paving of Sir Francis Drake.

The good news: It has been canceled for Tuesday, October 4th, because of the threat of rain.

The bad news: Dick Jordan's wife, Cindy, reports Lane markers have been removed, making driving on Drake an "interesting" if not down-right hazardous experience. You might want to take Center Boulevard from the Hub to Fairfax.

More bad news: The work has been rescheduled to Tuesday, October 11th, date of the next hike at the Laguna Trailhead in Point Reyes National Seashore.

Estero Trail Hike (10/4) Preview

2011-09-27T18:58:00.000-07:00

This week we return to Point Reyes National Seashore for our first outing of October. This is not a loop hike, but there are marvelous views! (Click here for a brief recap of our July 13, 2010 hike).

Directions to trailhead: Note that this special advisory from the San Anselmo Police Department for the day of the hike that could affect those of us coming through San Anselmo and Fairfax to reach Point Reyes --- "Road work and lane closures (in both directions of travel) are scheduled to be performed on Sir Francis Drake Blvd. from 9 am – 3 pm. The lane closures will be between San Francisco Boulevard and Suffield Avenue (near the border of Fairfax). Drivers should expect delays during these hours and should plan accordingly. Plan to take alternative routes, if possible."

While we should be driving to and through Fairfax before Sir Francis Drake is closed westbound in the morning, it is possible that traffic headed toward Fairfax on both Sir Francis Drake and Center Boulevard before 9 a.m. will be heavy if drivers leave earlier than usual for their destinations.

After the hike, we will probably get back to St. Rita's Church sometime between 2:30-3:00 p.m., shortly before or just as Sir Francis Drake reopens. However, eastbound traffic on both Sir Francis Drake and Center Boulevard after 3 p.m. could be heavier than usual due to the closure of Drake earlier in the day.

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. Go past the turn off to the right onto Pierce Point Road, then pass Mt. Vision Road on your left, and then in one mile you'll come to the road to Estero Trail. Take this road to the parking lot at the trailhead.

Time: 1 hour from College of Marin. Carpoolers can meet at St. Rita's at 8:55 am. Restrooms at the trailhead.

Weather forecast: As of Tuesday evening, September 27th, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was mostly cloudy, with a a chance of showers and a high near 55. (Click here for an updated forecast). Real-time weather reporting for the Point Reyes Lighthouse is also available (click here).

A slight chance of showers is forecast for the area on Sunday and Monday, but hopefully the trail won't be as muddy as it was when we went slip-sliding around in May of 2009.

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. The Google Earth image gives a bird's eye view of this part of the park. (Click on the photo to open a larger image in your Web browser).

Tomales Point Hike (9/27) Preview

2011-09-23T18:31:00.000-07:00

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; Dick Jordan was traveling in September of 2009 and 2010 so there are no recaps for the past two times we did the hike in September).

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.

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 reach the parking lot for the Tomales Point Trail you can head downhill to 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 the morning of Thursday, September 16,the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was mostly sunny with a high near 60. (Clear 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.

Mt. Home to Bootjack Hike Photos

2011-09-23T18:18:00.001-07:00

Theresa Fisher decided early on during Tuesday's Mountain Home to Bootjack hike that getting her brains fried under the hot sun made no sense at all, so she turned back after 15 minutes and called it a day.

Here are some photos she took during last year's hike. View them on the Meandering blog or click here for the on-line album

Laguna - Coast Trail Hike Photos Now Online!

2011-09-18T17:06:00.000-07:00

Photos taken by Theresa Fisher during last Tuesday's Laguna Trailhead to Coast Trail loop hike are now online!

View them on the Meandering blog or click here for the on-line album.

Revised Fall 1 2011 Hike Descriptions

2011-09-18T16:54:00.000-07:00

The complete descriptions of all of the Fall 1 2011 hikes has been revised. (The upcoming September 20 Mountain Home to Bootjack hike was inadvertently omitted).

Click here to get the revised list, or find it on the "Upcoming Hikes" page on the Meandering blog.

Mountain Home to Boojack (9/20) Hike Preview

2011-09-18T16:49:00.000-07:00

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 --- Dick Jordan was in British Columbia when we did this hike in 2010, but click here for the photo album for that 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 between 9:00 at am. Restrooms at trailhead and Bootjack.

Weather forecast: As of Sunday, September 18, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was sunny, with a high near 86, and west northwest wind around 5 mph. 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.

Laguna Trailhead Hike (9/13) Preview

2011-09-12T10:40:00.000-07:00

This week we return to Point Reyes National Seashore for the first hike of the Fall season. 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 have been transferred from Tomales Point.

Directions to 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 (stop here if you need a restroom --- there is none at the trailhead) and go left on Limantour Road.

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.

55 minutes from College of Marin. Carpoolers can meet at St. Rita’s Church in Fairfax at 9:00 a.m.

No restrooms at trailhead. Outhouse en route before lunch.

Weather forecast: Here is the National Weather Service forecast for the hike, as of Monday morning, September 12: Patchy fog before 11am. Otherwise, cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 61. West northwest wind between 8 and 13 mph. (Click here for an updated forecast).

More on this hike: Dick Jordan thinks we last did this hike in June of 2008. (Unfortunately, he wasn’t along, so there is no recap of that outing).

From the Laguna Trailhead we'll go southwest on the Laguna Trail to its junction with the Fire Lane Trail [we hiked this section in the opposite direction as the final leg of our August 16, 2011 hike from Sky Trail to the Laguna Trailhead], follow that down to the ocean, take a short “side trip” to Coast Camp to use the “facilities”, then hike northward paralleling the sea on the Coast Trail before turning back inland to the Laguna Trailhead. Total distance covered should be approximately 5 miles.

The “Laguna-Coast Trail Loop” hike in Exploring Point Reyes National Seashore and Golden Gate National Recreation Area by Tracy Salcedo-Chourre describes the route we’ll take. The trails we’ll follow are shown on the the North District Hiking Map on the Point Reyes National Seashore Website.

You will also find them on the map for hike “G4 Sky – Woodward Valley – Coast Trails” in the Martins’ book, Hiking Marin, although we are not doing that specific hike.

Mt. Home to Muir Woods Hike Photos Online!

2011-09-11T14:57:00.000-07:00

Photos taken by Theresa Fisher during last Tuesday's Mountain Home Inn to Muir Woods hike are now online!

View them on the Meandering blog or click here for the on-line album.

Update On State Park Closures

2011-09-03T12:16:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, September 3, the San Francisco Chronicle ran a story on the process of reviewing the 70 state parks slated to close during the current fiscal year, and how those closures might be prevented. The following video clips on two state parks in Marin slated for closure, Tomales Bay and China Camp, can be found on the newspaper's Website, SFGate.com.

China Camp State Park

(Click here if the video player does not appear in your e-mail program or Web browser windows.)

Tomales Bay State Park

(Click here if the video player does not appear in your e-mail program or Web browser windows.)

Corrected List of Fall 1 Hikes

2011-09-02T11:25:00.000-07:00

You can find a corrected list of the entire Fall 1 hike descriptions on the Meandering in Marin on Tuesdays blog under the "Upcoming Hikes" tab, or click here to view and print out a list.

Mountain Home to Muir Woods Hike (9/6) Preview

2011-09-02T11:01:00.000-07:00

Here's Wendy's description of our first hike of Fall: "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).

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.

Time: 50 minutes from College of Marin. Carpoolers can meet at the Greenbrae Park & Ride lot at 9:00 a.m. Outhouse at trailhead and restrooms at lunch.

Weather Forecast: As of Friday, September 2, the National Weather Service forecast for the day of the hike was patchy fog before 11am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 81. (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

Save $$$ On Tomorrow's Angel Island Hike

2011-08-29T16:11:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder that you can saving money on parking in Tiburon to catch the ferry to Angel Island by meeting at the Greenbrae Park & Ride lot and carpooling. (Linda Oquist is looking for a ride from there).

Also, you can knock the $3.00 park entrance fee off the $13.50 round-trip ferry ride if you have a State Park day pass to hand to the ferry operator along with a check or cash for $10.50 as you board.

Angel Island Hike (August 30) Preview

2011-08-26T10:26:00.000-07:00

Angel Island State Park hasn't been closed (at least not yet), so we'll head there for our last summer hike. (The College of Marin Fall 1 hiking series begins the following week). Here's Wendy's description of the outing: Views, butterflies, and history! We'll go to the top of Mt. Livermore, eat lunch there, and take the last ferry of the day back at 3:30 p.m.

Directions to the ferry dock: We'll take the 10 a.m. f erry from Tiburon to the island. Bring cash or check (credit cards not accepted) for the ferry ($13.50 round trip, pay as you board, includes the $3.00 park entrance fee which you can save if you have a State Park day pass). (Bring $17 in cash or check for Wendy, too!).

Allow time to park and don't miss the boat! (Although it's only 10-minute trip, the next ferry doesn't run until 11:00 a.m.). The ferry dock is at 21 Main Street. 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 Mapquest walking directions) from there to the ferry.

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

Restrooms at ferry in Tiburon and on Angel Island. Carpool from Greenbrae Park and Ride at 9:15 a.m.

Weather forecast: As Friday, August 26, the National Weather Service forecast for Angel Island on Tuesday, August 30 was patchy fog before 11am, otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 64. . (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 Association.

You'll find a map of the island on page 4 of the state park brochure. To listen to a podcast about Angel Island, click here.

If you have a smartphone, you can get one of free CalParks mobile apps, available for iPhone and Android.

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

NO HIKE - AUGUST 23

2011-08-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder that there is NO HIKE on Tuesday, August 23.

The next outing will be to Angel Island on Tuesday, August 30.

Sky Trail to Laguna Trailhead Hike (8/16) Preview

2011-08-15T10:50:00.000-07:00

We return to Point Reyes National Seashore to hike for the last time this summer. We’ll start heading uphill on the Sky Trail, but before we reach Sky Camp, we’ll turn right and head down toward the ocean, ending at the Laguna Trailhead.

This is a shuttle hike, so CALL WENDY AT 457-3949 OR EMAIL bdreskin@comcast.net if you are coming!

Directions to the trailhead: We’ll meet at the Laguna Trailhead to carpool back uphill to the Sky Trail. To reach it, take Sir Francis Drake Boulevard west to Olema. Then turn right on Route 1, followed by an immediate left onto Bear Valley Road. Continue past Park Headquarters (turn in if you need a restroom) and go left on Limantour Road. 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. Parking in the lot there.

Those who want to carpool to the trailhead should meet at St. Rita’s at 9:00 a.m.

No restrooms at the trailhead or along the trail.

Weather Forecast: Here's the National Weather Service forecast for the hike as of Monday morning, August 15: Patchy fog before 11am. Otherwise, cloudy through mid-morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 63. West northwest wind between 9 and 13 mph. (Click here for an updated forecast).

More on this hike: While the Martin's book, Hiking Marin, doesn’t lay out the exact route we are taking, hike “G4 Sky-Woodward Valley – Coast Trails” shows the general area. (We won’t be doing that 9.3 mile hike). We’ll start out from the Sky Trailhead, go 0.8 miles to Junction 1 on the map hike G4, descend 2.3 miles on the Fire Lane Trail to Junction 5, then hike 0.8 miles to Junction 6 (where we left our cars in the morning) for a total hike length of 3.9 miles. (The trails we’ll follow are on the North District Trail Map for Point Reyes National Seashore).

The "Fire Lane Trail to Limantour Beach" hike in Tracy Salcedo-Chourre’s Exploring Point Reyes Seashore and Golden Gate National Recreation Area guidebook also shows the trails, although we won’t hike all the way to the beach.

College of Marin E-Cashier Now Available

2011-08-02T17:28:00.000-07:00

As of at least 5:20 p.m., Tuesday, August 2nd, the College of Marin E-Cashier was working.

You can now sign up for Fall Meandering classes and pay online.

Here are the course numbers:

FALL 2011

FALL 1

6 Mondays, 9:45am–1:45pm

Sept. 12–Oct. 17

Fee $103

CRN# 85033 EC

7 Tuesdays, 9:45am–1:45pm

Sept. 6–Oct. 18

Fee $119

CRN# 85034 EC

FALL 2

7 Mondays, 9:45am–1:45pm

Oct. 24–Dec. 5

Fee $119

CRN# 85035 EC

7 Tuesdays, 9:45am–1:45pm

Oct. 25–Dec. 6

Fee $119

CRN# 85036 EC

Fall College of Marin Registration SNAFU

2011-08-01T12:00:00.000-07:00

If you tried to register online today (Monday, August 1st) for the Fall 1 and/or Fall 2 Meandering hiking series, you will have discovered that the "E-Cashier" is not "open", preventing you from paying your fees.

Dick Jordan spoke to the COM Registration department just before noon and learned that there is a "computer glich" (which happened once in the past) that is causing the problem. He was advised to try to sign up on Tuesday.

Wendy To Miss This Week's Hikes

2011-07-09T18:01:00.000-07:00

Wendy's mother has passed away.

She will be traveling to Michigan and/or New York, but urges the Tuesday Meanderers to go forward with the "Final Exam" at Tomales Bay State Park even though she will not be there.

She'll also miss the Monday, July 11th hike, at Bull Point.

Tomales Bay State Park “Final Exam” Hike (7/12/10) Preview

2011-07-06T11:17:00.000-07:00

It's the end of the first session of "summer school" this coming week when we head to Tomales Bay State Park for our hike. Here's Wendy's description of the outing: "Bishop pine forest, beach, and a favorite scenic picnic spot over-looking Tomales Bay.”

Bring something to share for our gourmet potluck lunch, and utensils, plate, and cup.

Directions to the trailhead: Take Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. Turn right at Olema and make an immediate left onto Bear Valley Road. (Stop at the Bear Valley Visitor Center to use the restrooms as there are none at the trailhead).

Continue until you pick up Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. Go through Inverness and over the ridge. At the "Y" where the road veers left to Drake's Beach and the Lighthouse go straight. This puts you on Pierce Point Road.

Just BEFORE the right turn that takes you down to Heart's Desire Beach there is a dirt parking lot on the right. If you don't know it you may need to go to the road to Heart's Desire and then turn around. We'll take the Jepson/Johnson loop.

Driving time one hour from College of Marin. Restrooms before lunch. Carpool leaves St. Rita at 8:55 am.

Weather forecast: As of Wednesday, July 6, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was Patchy fog before 11am, otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 57. (Click here for an updated forecast).

More on this hike: "G14 Johnstone - Jepson Trails" in the Martins' book, Hiking Marin, shows the area in which we'll be hiking. The trails are also shown on page 4 of the Tomales Bay State Park brochure. The Google Earth image below shows this part of the state park. (Click on the image to open a larger version in your Web browser).

Bull Point Hike (7/5) Preview

2011-06-30T20:05:00.000-07:00

This week we head through Inverness to hike on the ocean side of the Point Reyes National Seashore. Here's Wendy's description for this hike: "A beautiful level walk. This is the only site in Marin for the rare coast lily.
Some other flowers we see here that we don't see elsewhere are Dwarf Brodiaea, yellow eyed grass, tinker's penny, Hooker’s evening primrose, brine locoweed, white-flowered bog orchid, Horkelia, bistort, Small Flowered Linanthus." (Click here for the recap of our last Bull Point hike on July 7, 2009.).

Directions to the trailhead: Take Sir Francis Drake Boulevard west to Olema. Turn right on Highway 1, then make an immediate left onto Bear Valley Road. Continue past the road to Park Headquarters (stop here for a restroom break; there are no porta-potties at the trailhead) and go left when you hit Sir Francis Drake again.

Go through Inverness. Go left at the "Y" (right takes you out to Pierce Point) and pass MCI and RCA stations on your right. The Bull Point parking lot will be on your left. Carpool leaves St. Rita at 8:45 am.

Weather forecast: As of Thursday, June 30, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was sunny, with a high near 58. (Click here for an updated forecast).

More on this hike: Hike "H11 Bull Point and South Beach Trails" in the Martins' book, Hiking Marin, shows this as 4.0 mile out and back hike. Tracy Salcedo-Chourre's book, Exploring Point Reyes National Seashore and Golden Gate National Recreation Area, pegs it at 3.6 miles as does the park's North District Hiking Map. The Google Earth image below shows the area where we'll be hiking. (Click on the image to open a larger version in your Web browser).

Palomarin Hike (6/28) Preview

2011-06-23T17:44:00.000-07:00

We resume our summer hikes this coming week with another trip to Point Reyes National Seashore, this time beginning at the far southern end of the park at the Palomarin trailhead near Bolinas. Here's Wendy's description of this outing: "This hike is not a loop (and isn't a shuttle hike, either), but has incredible ocean views making it well worth the drive! On years without fog we've had up to 14 species of butterflies! Lunch at Bass Lake." (Click here for a recap of last July’s hike ).

Directions to the trailhead: Take Sir Francis Drake Boulevard west to Olema. Turn left (south) on Route 1. Pass Five Brooks and Dogtown, and take the unmarked right turn (on to 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.

Carpool leaves St. Rita at 8:30 am.

If you're coming from southern Marin you may prefer to take Route 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 (or if you can't wait, use the porta-potties at Five Brooks, a right turn off Highway 1 for those coming south from Olema, or 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 afternoon, June 23, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was patchy fog before 11am. Otherwise, partly 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.

Wendy Makes The News!

2011-06-21T20:06:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday, June 21, the Marin I-J ran a front page story about Wendy and Marin's 24th annual butterfly count.

Click here to read it and see more photos taken at the event.

Update on Tuesday, 6/21 Bolinas Ridge Hike

2011-06-20T18:49:00.000-07:00

This is a shuttle hike, so CALL WENDY AT 457-3949 OR EMAIL bdreskin@comcast.net if you are coming!

The hike is lightly longer than usual at 5.3 miles, but lots of it is downhill. (Hopefully, there will be ripe huckleberries to eat).

At 9:20 a.m. we’ll meet on Route One at the bottom of Randall Trail which is about 3 miles north of Dogtown and about 3 miles south of Five Brooks . Then we’ll carpool up the Bolinas-Fairfax Road to Ridgecrest Boulevard and hike along Bolinas Ridge Fire Road and come down Randall Trail.

Carpool leaves St. Rita at 8:25 a.m. Warning: we may get back later than 1:45 p.m.

Weather forecast: As of Monday afternoon, June 20, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Calm wind becoming west southwest between 6 and 9 mph. (Click here for an updated forecast). Much of the trail is shaded, but there are some sections with full sun exposure, so don't forget your sunscreen and hat.

Bolinas Ridge Shuttle Hike (6/21) Preview

2011-06-15T08:20:00.000-07:00

As summer begins we move west in Marin to take one of our hikes in the GGNRA. Slightly longer than usual at 5.3 miles, but lots of downhill. (Click here for a recap of our hike in August of 2008).

CALL WENDY AT 457-3949 OR EMAIL bdreskin@comcast.net if you are coming!

Directions to trailhead: We’ll meet on Route One at the bottom of Randall Trail which is about 3 miles north of Dogtown and about 3 miles south of Five Brooks. (The Point Reyes National Seashore says to allow 15 minutes for the drive from the Bear Valley Visitor Center, and that it is just under 6 miles from the intersection of Highway 1 and Sir Francis Drake at Olema south to the Randall trailhead).

Park in one of the large dirt pullouts on either side of the road. The Park Service notes that the sign for the Randall Trail is aligned parallel to Highway 1 on the east side of the road and can easily be missed). From the Randall trailhead we’ll carpool up the Bolinas-Fairfax Road to Ridgecrest Boulevard and hike along Bolinas Ridge Fire Road and then down the Randall Trail to Highway 1.

Weather forecast: As of Wednesday morning, June 15, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was patchy fog before 11am, otherwise sunny, with a high near 72. (Click here for an updated forecast).

More on this hike: None of Dick Jordan's hiking books describe this hike, but you can find the Fairfax-Bolinas Road, Bolinas Ridge Fire Road, and the Randall Trail in the bottom right-hand section of the park map shown below in this post on the "Meandering" blog. (Use the plus-sign button under the drop-down arrow button to enlarge the map for easier reading):

(Click here to view and print a copy of the map. If you have Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer you can print the document. Once you see the document on the "Google Docs" Web site, click on the "Actions" down arrow and then on "Download" to download the document to your computer).

Abbott's Lagoon Hike (6/14) Preview

2011-06-09T10:03:00.000-07:00

This week we continue our summer hiking strategy of staying near the coast with another trip to Point Reyes National Seashore. Here's Wendy's description for this outing: "Last year at this time we saw the endangered Point Reyes Blue and the Coast Green as well as endangered tiger beetles and bumblebee scarab beetles. Some years we've seen otters, weasels or muskrats. Some plants we don't see elsewhere include heliotrope and the endangered Point Reyes Checkerbloom. We often manage to spot the endangered snowy plovers. Lunch on the beach." (Click here for a recap of the June 2009 hike).

Directions to the trailhead: Take Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. Turn right at Olema and make an immediate left onto Bear Valley Road. (Stop at the park visitor center at Bear Valley to use the restrooms if you don't want to wait to use the pit toilet at the trailhead).

Continue until you pick up Sir Francis Drake again. Go through Inverness. After you top Inverness Ridge and head down the other side, the road splits: Going left takes you the wrong way and you'll head out to Drake's Beach and the lighthouse. You want to bear to the right (Wendy says "Go straight") onto Pierce Point Road. Pass Tomales Bay State Park. The parking area for Abbott's Lagoon will be on your left.

Carpool from St. Rita at 8:50 am. Restrooms at trailhead.

Weather forecast: As of Thursday morning, June 9, the National Weather Service forecast was patchy fog before 11am, otherwise partly sunny with a high near 62. . (Click here for an updated NWS forecast. For real time weather conditions, updated every 10 minutes, at the RCA field just south of Abbott's Lagoon, click here).

More on this hike: "G16 -Beach and Lagoon Trails" from the Martin's book, Hiking Marin, shows the trails in this part of the seashore, as does Tracy Salcedo-Chourre's Exploring Point Reyes National Seashore and Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Both books have a 3.0 mile hike at Abbott's Lagoon, although our route could be different since you can roam off-trail rather far and wide, up and down the beach, and around the upland areas. (Click here to view and print the seashore's North District Hiking Map which shows the location of the roads, trailhead, and trails).

The following Google Earth image shows the area where we'll be hiking. (Click on the image to open a larger version in your Web browser).

Sky Trail To Bear Valley Video Now Online!

2011-06-06T09:21:00.000-07:00

Video Dick Jordan shot during the Sky Trail to Bear Valley hike is on up on the Meandering in Marin YouTube Channel.

Bear Valley to Arch Rock Hike (6/7) Preview

2011-06-03T15:59:00.000-07:00

For the third week in a row we head out to Point Reyes National Seashore for our weekly outing. As far as Dick Jordan can recall, we have not done this particular hike in the last three years, although we have done Bear Valley to Divide Meadow and back and our recent Sky Trail to Bear Valley hike took us from Divide Meadow back to Bear Valley.

Here’s Wendy’s brief description of the trek: “This is longer than our usual hike (about 8 miles), but it's easy walking with fire road much of the way and not much elevation gain. Be prepared to get back later than 1:45 pm.”

Directions to trailhead: Take Sir Francis Drake Boulevard west from Fairfax. Turn right at Olema and make an immediate left onto Bear Valley Road. From Bear Valley Road. turn left to the Visitor’s Center.
Time: 50 minutes from College of Marin. Carpoolers can meet at St. Rita’s Church in Fairfax at 9:10 a.m. Restrooms at trailhead, outhouse at Divide Meadow.

Weather forecast: As of Friday, June 3, the National Weather Service forecast for Tuesday’s hike was mostly sunny, with a high near 64. (Click here for an updated forecast; you can also check the real-time weather at the Visitor Center).

More on this hike: Hike “F4 Bear Valley Trail to Arch Rock” in the Martins’ book, Hiking Marin, shows the route from we’ll take. (You can find the Bear Valley to Divide Meadow Trail on the park’s South District Trail Map).

Bear Valley to Five Brooks Hike (5/31/10) Preview

2011-05-25T14:18:00.000-07:00

We continue our "Summer at the Seashore" series of hikes this week by starting at the Bear Valley Visitor Center in Point Reyes National Seashore and hiking south to Five Brooks. (Dick Jordan was not on our June, 2010 hike, but here's the recap from the June, 2009 trek.)

Here's Wendy's description of the outing: "We’ll start by checking out dragonflies and birds on the pond at Five Brooks, then carpool to Bear Valley. This level hike takes us through Vedanta Retreat and Stewart Ranch back to Five Brooks." THIS IS A SHUTTLE HIKE (CALL OR E-MAIL WENDY IF YOU'RE COMING: Home: 415 457-3949 E-mail: bdreskin@comcast.net).

Directions to trailhead: We'll meet at Five Brooks at 9:30 am. Take Sir Francis Drake to Olema, turn left onto Highway 1, and continue south until you see the right hand turn off the highway to Five Brooks. We'll leave some cars at Five Brooks, so we'll need some drivers not in a hurry to head home after the hike to drive those who left their cars at the trailhead back to Five Brooks.

Restrooms (porta-potties) at Five Brooks and (real-deal flush toilets) at Bear Valley. Carpool from St. Rita at 9:00 am.

Weather forecast: As of Wednesday afternoon, May 25th, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was partly sunny, with a high near 62. (Click here for an updated forecast).

More on this hike: Hike "F8 Five Brooks Trailhead to Bear Valley" in the Martins' book, Hiking Marin, does this 4.4 mile hike in the reverse direction from our trek. Our route will roughly parallel the San Andreas Fault which splits the Olema Valley down its middle.

After about a mile and a half we'll begin to cross the 2,000 acre parcel owned by the Vedanta Society of Northern California. Later we'll skirt the the historic Stewart Ranch. This trail is popular with equestrians, and we're likely to encounter horses and cattle along the way.

The elevation change is only 350' over the length of the trail, and many sections are quite flat or downhill. (Click here to view the Rift Zone Trail on the park's South District Trail Map).

The Google Earth image below gives you a bird's eye view of the route will follow; the Bear Valley parking lot is at the far right, and "Mill Pond" at the far left is at Five Brooks. The yellow line marked "Shoreline Highway" is Highway 1. (Click on the image to enlarge it in your Web browser).

A Wet Day At Rock Spring

2011-05-22T12:18:00.000-07:00

It was a great day to be a newt, a bad day to be a rattlesnake. And it was a lousy day to be driving, too. Normally, we have bright, sunny, and warm weather for our final "Final Exam" hurrah of the College of Marin hiking year. Last year it rained on the way to the trailhead, but the weather cleared during the hikeThis time it was like hiking in Southeast Alaska in the summer.

Dick Jordan and Wendy got stuck in major traffic backups trying to get past downtown San Anselmo. Halfway up Mount Tam from Mill Valley the visibility dropped to nearly zero as fog, clouds, and rain covered the mountain.

When we reached the intersection of the road up from Pantoll to Ridgecrest, we could not even see the Rock Spring parking lot only a few feet away across the road. It was only after driving into the parking lot that we were aware that other foolish folk had made the mistake of getting out of a warm comfortable bed to hike in Marin-Winter conditions.

The strong wind coming up the south flank of the mountain blew raindrops off the trees hanging over our parked cars, drenching us as we pulled our gear out of the trunks and back seats. We could tell right then that no matter how much the weather moderated during the course of the next four hours, the hike was going to be no picnic, and that there would be no final exam luncheon at the picnic area once our soggy slog was over.

But the news wasn't all bad for the eight of us who braved the elements to join Wendy. Much of the route is through the forest and while the trees were dripping like leaky faucets, they formed an excellent windbreak to keep us from getting chilled. And once we did a quick "round table discussion" of our last week's activities and actually set out on the trail, we quickly warmed up and forgot about the inclement weather.

Much of the area from the edge of Potrero Meadows to Laurel Dell is unforested and open to the north. But by the time we arrived there an hour or so into the hike, the rain had most stopped and the wind only gusted intermittently.

A small group of hikers that Stan happened to know passed us headed in the other direction at Potrero Meadows, followed by a solo-hiker. The sound of chain saws and axes echoed off the mountain as work crews cleared area near Potrero Camp where trees had blown down during earlier months.

At Laurel Dell we found a newt taking a swim in a small puddle. We met up with one of his cousins and a banana slug on the Cataract Trail after quickly tip-toeing over rocks stretching across the creek, trying to keep and our balance so our feet would remain dry. A little farther on we had the highlight of the day: A baby Winter Wren hopping back and forth across a fallen tree trunk, occasionally testing out his new flight feathers with a quick burst into the air before settling back down to his big, round perch.

After three-plus hours, we had finished our six-mile loop and were back to the still fog-bound parking lot. We doffed our packs and wet gear, and headed down the mountain to the Mill Valley Library where we met up with Meanderers who had not gone on the hike. From there we carpooled up the hill to Al and Sonia's lovely home for a leisurely lunch, helping make this one of our more memorable "Final Exams."

(The wet weather prompted Dick to leave his still camera safely tucked away in his parka pocket. But from time to time he pulled out his mini camcorder, protected from the rain with a rubberized case, to shoot video clips which he later used to produce the YouTube movie shown above in this blog post and also available on on the Meandering in Marin YouTube Channel. Unfortunately, the brief segment he shot at lunch did not turn out --- there is audio, but no video for that clip. The photos in this post where shot on previous year’s hikes).

Summer Hike Schedules Now Available

2011-05-19T11:22:00.000-07:00

In case you didn't receive or misplaced Wendy's e-mail list of Monday and Tuesday summer hikes (through mid-July), you can find them on the "Upcoming Hikes" page of the Meandering blog.

There are two separate lists: One for Monday hikes (5/23-7/18) and another for Tuesday hikes (5/24-7/12). Dates for mid-July through August are also listed; next month Wendy will send out the detailed descriptions for those hikes.

Registration for the Fall 1 series of hikes through the College of Marin will open on August 1st. (The first Tuesday hike of that series will be on September 6, the day after Labor Day).

Sky Trail To Bear Valley Hike (5/24) Preview

2011-05-19T11:12:00.000-07:00

We return to Point Reyes National Seashore this week to kick off our summer of hiking in West Marin.

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! Note the earlier than usual meeting time at Bear Valley.

The trail is about 7.3 miles long, but a lot of it is fairly level, so it's a bit easier than the distance implies. We'll go down the Old Pine Trail (which doesn't have any old pines!) to Divide Meadow, then hike back north to the Bear Valley Visitor Center on the Bear Valley Trail. (We hiked this trail last July, but Dick Jordan wasn't along, so there is no recap; but we also did the trek on January 20, 2009 when President Obama was sworn into office, again on May 19, 2009, and also in July of 2008).

Directions to trailhead: We’ll meet at Bear Valley at 9:20 a.m. and carpool to Sky Trail. When we get to Mt. Wittenberg we’ll go down Old Pine to the Bear Valley Trail. We'll need some people who are not in a rush to leave after the end of the hike to help us drive hikers back to the Sky Trail trailhead to pick up their cars.

Restrooms at Bear Valley, none at Sky Trail trailhead, but some as we pass Coast Camp.

Carpool leaves St. Rita Church in Fairfax at 8:45 a.m.

Weather forecast: As of Thursday morning, May 19, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was mostly sunny and breezy, with a high near 59. (Click here for an updated forecast).

More on this hike: "G3 Sky Trailhead to Bear Valley" in the Martins' book, Hiking Marin, is a version of this hike although we usually go straight at Junction #1 shown on their map and continue on to Sky Camp rather than take the detour up to Mt. Wittenberg (which we do on a separate loop hike from the Sky Trail trailhead) and then back down to the Sky Trail before continuing on to the Old Pine Trail, Divide Meadow and on to Bear Valley. (Click here for the Seashore's South District Hiking Map which shows these trails).

The following Google Earth image gives a bird's eye view of where we'll be hiking:

Lavender-Blueberry Soup Recipe

2011-05-18T13:04:00.000-07:00

Here's the link to the recipe for the Lavender-Blueberry Soup that I brought to yesterday's "Final Exam" luncheon.

(It's the same one I made for the Spring 2008 "Final Exam" so some of you may already have the recipe).

Wolf Ridge Hike Photos Now Online!

2011-05-18T11:07:00.000-07:00

Photos taken by Theresa Fisher and Dick Jordan during last week's Wolf Ridge hike are now online.

View them on the blog or click here for the online photo album.

The video Dick shot during the hike is on the Meandering in Marin YouTube Channel.

Chimney Rock "Home Movie" Now on YouTube!

2011-05-12T09:50:00.000-07:00

In addition using his new Kodak Zi8 min9-camcorder to shoot a high-definition film of our April 19th hike out to Chimney Rock, Dick Jordan pulled out his iPhone 3GS and used the iPhone 8MM Vintage Camera and ReelDirector apps to make a 1920's-style "home movie" (grainy, "projector" sound in the background on one clip). You can view it by going to the blog, clicking here, or going to our YouTube Channel.

Hiking Wolf Ridge (5/10/11) Video

2011-05-11T13:45:00.000-07:00

You can watch a fifteen-minute video of our May 10th hike up Wolf Ridge in the GGNRA by going to the blog, clicking here, or going to our YouTube Channel.

Rock Spring "Final Exam" Hike (5/17) Preview

2011-05-11T08:40:00.000-07:00

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 r ecap of last year's hike. View photos from past hikes in the online album).

Here's Wendy's outline for the hike: “Although last year was rainy, some years we've seen eight species of butterflies including a brown elfin, Western tiger swallowtail, and lots of Propertius duskywings! Rain or shine we should see coral roots, Oakland star lily, Mount Tamalpais jewel flower, 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 Stinson Beach/Highway 1 exit. Go west on Highway 1 and wind around a lot. At the top of the ridge, turn right onto Panoramic Highway and continue to the 4-way "crossroads." Take the middle road to Mt. Tamalpais. Continue along this road for 5-6 miles.

At the Pantoll Ranger Station the road divides. Take the upper road for about 1 mile. The road divides again. This is Rock Spring. Park here.

Driving time from College of Marin 55 minutes. Outhouse at trailhead and mid-way. (Carpoolers can meet at the Greenbrae Park & Ride lot around 9:10 am).

Weather forecast: As of Wednesday, May 11th, the National Weather Service forecast for the area around Rock Spring on Mt. Tam was mostly cloudy, with a high near 58 and a slight chance of showers. (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 in, 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. 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).

Chimney Rock Video Now Online!

2011-05-09T23:40:00.000-07:00

Video taken by Dick Jordan on our April 19th hike out to Chimney Rock in Point Reyes National Seashore is now online.

Click here to view it via the e-mail notice you received, go to our YouTube Channel to see it and other hike videos, or view it on the Meandering blog.

Meandering in Marin YouTube Channel Launched!

2011-05-09T16:36:00.000-07:00

Meandering in Marin now has its own "channel" on You Tube. You will find a new video window under the slideshow on the blog, or you can click here to go directly to our YouTube Channel.

If you "subscribe" to the channel you will be notified as soon as new video clips from our hikes are posted.

Zen And The Art of Meandering

2011-05-09T09:37:00.000-07:00

What a difference a year makes.

Rain, fog, and wind. That’s what we had last year when we hiked up to Coyote Ridge above the Zen Center’s Green Gulch Farm. This time around it was sunshine all the way from sea to sky and back again.

Last year the steep climb from the farm toward the ridge was through gooey, clay mud. This year the trail was bone-dry.

Last year it was winter at Green Gulch Farm. This year it was definitely spring.

But the major change from last year’s hike was the restoration work being done on Redwood Creek. After we crossed over the bridge spanning the creek and headed toward Green Gulch Farm we saw changes to the Coastal Trail where it meets the creek. Vegetation on the southern edge of the area had been removed and replanted, and the trail itself had been realigned.

When we hiked here last year we looped around the horse pasture, then entered the farm on its northern side. This time we skirted the farm’s southern edge, then walked back across the farm to pick up the road on the north side, passing one of the farm’s truck’s and and old American Airlines aircraft cargo container.

Then looped back to the south to pick up the Middle Green Gulch Trail for the long, slow climb from sea level to Coyote Ridge, 900 feet above us. When we reached the ridge about an hour and half and 2.5 miles after starting out, we could look back toward Muir Beach and Mt. Tam, and south to San Francisco.

The fire road runs westward and is nearly level from the junction of the Middle Green Gulch Trail and the Coyote Ridge Trail until the latter meets with Coastal Trail. Then its down, down, down all the way to where the Pirates Cove Trail branches off to the south.

Last year we ate a wind-blown lunch in the saddle where these two trails meet. This year we continued uphill beyond that trail junction and a had a choice of three grand views during lunch: South down the coast beyond Pirates Cove, out to sea, or north to Muir Beach.

Poppies, iris, vetch, and columbine were among the flowers blooming along the trail. The large patch of columbine that we saw on the last, downward leg of the hike was here again this year. Debris spiders, a click beetle, a fairy moth, and black ticks were insects we spotted.

A lone killdeer greeted us at when we returned to the parking lot at hike’s end, 4.3 miles after setting out.

Green Gulch Hike Photos Now Online!

2011-05-08T19:54:00.000-07:00

Photos taken by Theresa Fisher and Dick Jordan during last week's hike above Green Gulch Farm are now online.

View them on the Meandering blog or click here for the online album.

Wolf Ridge (5/10) Hike Preview

2011-05-04T13:45:00.000-07:00

Here's Wendy's description of this annual Spring outing: "Wildflowers and views! "First of spring" flowers for this hike usually include cobweb thistle and bee plant, and we sometimes see the amazing fairy moth hanging out by oceanspray." (Click here for a recap of last year's hike. This is the on-line album of photos taken during our previous hikes in this area).

Directions to trailhead: From Highway 101 south bound, take the last exit before the Golden Gate Bridge. Turn right, go under the freeway, and get in the left turn lane to go through the one way tunnel with the 5 minute traffic light. Park at the end of the road. (Rodeo Beach will be on the other side of the road). Time: 40 minutes from COM. Restrooms at trailhead. (Carpoolers can meet at Greenbrae Park & Ride lot at 9:15 am).

Weather forecast: As of Wednesday, May 4, the National Weather Service forecast for this year’s hike was near perfect was Sunny, with a high near 60. (Click here for an updated forecast).

More on this hike: Hike "A5 Coastal - Wolf Ridge - Miwok Trails" in the Martins' book, Hiking Marin, shows our route for this 5 mile-plus hike with a 1,000' elevation gain, as does the "Coastal-Miwok Loop" hike in Tracy Salcedo-Chourre's book, Exploring Point Reyes National Seashore and Golden Gate National Recreation Area. (Hill 88, our probable lunch spot, is 960' above sea level with lovely views on a clear day). The Google Earth photo below shows the area. (Click on it to open a larger image in your Web browser).

West Ridgecrest Hike Photos Now On-Line!

2011-05-04T13:32:00.000-07:00

Photos taken by Therese Fisher during last week's West Ridgecrest hike are now on-line.

View them on the blog or in the on-line photo album.

Chimney Rock Photos Now On-Line!

2011-04-27T19:02:00.000-07:00

Photos taken by our intrepid crew of photographers during last week's Chimney Rock hike are now on-line.

View them on the Meandering blog or click here for the on-line photo album.

Green Gulch Hike (5/3) Preview

2011-04-27T10:38:00.000-07:00

Here’s Wendy’s description for next week's hike: “Today we get to see the beautiful organic vegetable garden at the Zen Center’s Green Gulch Farms on our way up to the Coyote Ridge Trail. Lunch overlooking the ocean on our way back down to Muir Beach.” (Click here for a recap or here for the on-line album of photos from last year's hike).

Directions to trailhead: Take the Stinson Beach/Highway 1 exit off Highway 101. Go through Tam Junction, and take Shoreline Highway and follow signs to Muir Beach.

Restrooms at trailhead. Time: 55 minutes from COM. Carpoolers can meet at the Greenbrae Park and Ride lot at 9:00 a.m.

Weather forecast: Winter seems determined to hang on this year. As of Wednesday, April 27, the forecast for the day of the hike was sunny, with a high near 68. (Click here for an updated forecast).

More on this hike: Although our actual route may vary, hike A10 (Coastal – Coyote Ridge – Green Gulch) in the Martins’ book, Hiking Marin, covers this area. The GGNRA Marin Headlands map shows the trails. (Click here for more information on Green Gulch Farm). The following Google Earth image shows where we will be hiking.

West Ridgecrest Hike (4/26) Preview

2011-04-20T09:44:00.000-07:00

This week we return again to West Marin. On this hike (not a loop) we’ll explore a section of the Coastal Trail with views of Stinson Beach and Bolinas Lagoon. When Ridgecrest Boulevard opened as a toll road in the 1920s it was proclaimed California’s “Most Scenic Drive.” It’s even better hiking! Clintonia could be in bloom by now! (Click here for the recap of last year's hike. Photos from that hike are in this on-line album.)

Directions to trailhead: THERE ARE TWO WAYS TO REACH THE TRAILHEAD:

Take the Fairfax Bolinas Road from Fairfax to Ridgecrest Boulevard. Park at the junction with the Fairfax-Bolinas Road. (About 1 hour driving time from the College of Marin; car poolers can meet at St. Rita’s by 9:00 am); OR
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. Turn left at Rock Springs onto Ridgecrest Boulevard. Park on left at junction with the Fairfax-Bolinas Road. (Driving time from College of Marin about 1 hour).

No restrooms at trailhead.

Weather forecast: As of Wednesday, April 20th, the National Weather Service forecast for the time of the hike was mostly sunny, with a high near 61. (Click here for an updated forecast).

More on this hike: This hike isn’t mentioned in any of Dick Jordan’s trail guides, but we’ll be hiking south on the Coastal Trail which parallels Ridgecrest Boulevard until we reach the junction with the McKennan Gulch Trail (which heads downhill to Bolinas Lagoon) and then we will retrace our steps back north.

(Click here and go to page 6 of the Mt. Tam State Park brochure for the park map; click on the percentage magnification box at the top of the page and increase to about 125%-150% to get a good view of the trail which runs just west of the road).

Chimney Rock (4/19) Hike Preview

2011-04-13T09:09:00.000-07:00

We'll return to Point Reyes National Seashore for this hike which we do every year in April. (Click here for a recap of last year's trek). Here's what Wendy promises for this outing: "This is one of Marin's must-see spring wildflower displays which includes some beautiful endangered flowers. We may see some late elephant seals at the overlook and we'll take time to learn about their history and return from the brink of extinction. Bring binoculars if you have them" (Click here to view photos from past hikes at Chimney Rock).

Directions to trailhead: Take Sir Francis Drake Boulevard to Olema. Turn right at Olema onto Highway 1, then make an immediate left onto Bear Valley Road. (There are restrooms at the trailhead --- another 30-45 minutes down the road; if you need a restroom break now, take the first left off Bear Valley Road and stop at the Bear Valley Visitor Center).

Continue on Bear Valley Road until you pick up Sir Francis Drake again. Turn left to follow Sir Francis Drake out to Point Reyes. Go through Inverness. At the junction with Pierce Point Road, bear left and stay on Sir Francis Drake. Follow signs towards the Lighthouse and Drake’s Beach. You’ll pass the turn to Drake’s Beach on your left. Keep going until you see a left turn to Chimney Rock. (Sir Francis Drake continues on to end at the Lighthouse parking lot).

Driving time from the College of Marin: One hour, thirty minutes. (Carpoolers can meet at St. Rita's Church in Faifax about 8:30 am). Restrooms at trailhead. (If you need an earlier restroom stop, you can stop at the Bear Valley Visitor Center). Click here to view and print a copy of the park map for the Point Reyes National Seashore.

Weather forecast: As of Wednesday, April 13, the National Weather Service forecast for the Point Reyes Lighthouse area was mostly sunny, with a high near 54. (Click here for an up dated forecast). Real-time weather reporting for the Point Reyes Lighthouse is also available (click here). Sometimes it is very windy when we do this hike, so in addition to your rain gear, be sure to toss some extra layers and a warm jacket and hat (bring some duct tape to "tie" your hat on your head) in your car in case it is "blowin' like snot" (a sailor's term for windy weather).

More on this hike: The general area covered by this hike is shown in hike "G13 PR Lighthouse and Chimney Rock" in the Martin's book, Hiking Marin and the "Chimney Rock" hike in Tracy Salcedo-Chourre's book, Exploring Point Reyes National Seashore and Golden Gate National Recreation Area. You can also view and print out a map of the Chimney Rock area from the Point Reyes National Seashore Web site. The Google Earth image below shows where we'll be on this outing. (Click on the photo to open a large image in your Web browser).

Water, Water, Everywhere!

2011-04-07T20:54:00.000-07:00

There will be no meandering in Marin this week, but if you've got itchy feet, and can't join Wendy's friend, Bob Stewart, for a hike, here's where San Francisco Chronicle outdoor writer, Tom Stienstra, says you can go to watch water falling all around you.

(Meandering resumes on Tuesday, April 19th, when we head out to Point Reyes National Seashore to check out the wildflowers and try not to get blown off Chimney Rock).

Take A Hike! (With Bob Stewart, April 11-13)

2011-04-07T20:46:00.000-07:00

No need to be slothful this coming week! Per Wendy, put on your boots "[i]f you'd like to take a hike the week I'm away, check out hikes with Bob Stewart who was my mentor in the '70s. He's a wonderful naturalist and teacher!

"April 11 is Cascade Canyon in Fairfax, April 12 is Wolf Ridge GGNRA, April 13 birding Tomales Bay and Bolinas Lagoon. $25 (9-3 except Tomales Bay which meets at 8AM)."

For details, click here and go to "Marin Outings."

Reminder - NO HIKE ON APRIL 12TH!

2011-04-07T13:44:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder that there is NO HIKE ON TUESDAY, APRIL 12TH.

Our next hike will be at Chimney Rock in Point Reyes National Seashore on Tuesday, April 19.

Indian Valley Open Space Photos Now On-Line!

2011-04-04T13:43:00.000-07:00

Photos taken by Theresa Fisher during last week's Indian Valley Open Space hike are now on-line.

View them in the slideshow on the Meandering blog or click here to view them in the Picasa Web Album.

Mount Burdell Open Space (4/5) Hike Preview

2011-03-30T10:23:00.000-07:00

This week we return again to the Novato area go hiking. Last week it was in the open space above Indian Valley College. This week we hike on Mount Burdell. Here's Wendy's description of the hike: " This loop takes us by Hidden Lake which is home to thousands of Pacific tree frogs! We may see cream cups, tidy tips, baby stars, and balloon clover, as well as seven or eight species of butterflies. This is the only spot where bitterroot, the Montana state flower, grows in Marin."

Directions to the trailhead: Take Highway 101 north and take the San Marin Drive exit. Go west on San Marin Drive. Turn right on San Andreas Drive. The entrance to the Open Space will be on your right. If you come to the dead end of San Andreas you've only gone about half a block too far. No lot but plenty of curbside parking. 30 minutes from College of Marin. No restrooms on this hike. (Carpoolers can meet at the Mission Street, San Rafael, Park & Ride lot around 9:05 am, or at the Smith Ranch Park & Ride lot around 9:15 am).

Weather forecast: As of Wednesday, March 30, the National Weather Service forecast for the day of the hike was mostly sunny, with a high near 69.(Click here for an updated forecast).

More on this hike: Hike "E13 Old Quarry Trail to Mt. Burdell" in the Martin's book, Hiking Marin, shows the general area that we'll be hiking in, although we'll probably turn left at intersection #2 and head directly to Hidden Lake rather than climb all of the way to the summit of the mountain as shown on the Martin's map. You can find a preserve map on the Marin County Open Space District's Web site for the Mount Burdell preserve. The Google Earth image below shows where we'll be hiking. (Click on the photo to open a larger image in your Web browser).

Indian Valley Open Space Hike (3/29) Preview

2011-03-22T22:48:00.000-07:00

Two loops combine to make an interesting hike. Tomcat clover, fiddleneck, and Plectritis should be in bloom this week, and if we haven't heard the first Pacific Slope flycatcher yet, we often here it at IVC.

(Click here for a recap of last year's hike).

Directions to trailhead: Take Highway 101 to the Ignacio Boulevard exit. Go west and follow Ignacio Boulevard into the Indian Valley College campus. Our hike starts from parking lot #7 by the athletic field. (Click here for to view and print a map of the campus). Bring a dozen quarters to get a ticket from the parking machines ($3/day ). 25 minutes from College of Marin. Restrooms at trailhead. (Carpoolers can meet at Smith Ranch Park & Ride lot around 9:15-20 am).

Weather forecast: As of Tuesday evening, March 22, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was partly sunny with a high near 62. (Click here for an updated forecast).

More on this hike: Two hikes in the Martin's book, Hiking Marin, cover the area that we'll traverse: "E6 Indian Valley FR - Waterfall Trail" and "E7 Schwindt - Wildcat Trails". You can also view and print the map and species list for the Marin County Open Space District's Indian Valley preserve. (For another hike description and more photos of the IVC Open Space, check out this page on the "Bay Area Hiker" Web site). The Google Earth photo below shows this area. (Click on the photo to open a larger image in your Web browser).

Colorful Places to Welcome Spring in San Francisco

2011-03-21T10:05:00.001-07:00

Even though we don't get extremely harsh winters in San Francisco, spring is still welcomed with a sigh of relief. Gardens that were green through the past few months introduce a fiesta of colorful flowers just in time for the lengthening days.

Embrace Mother Nature's abundance at these spots where spring is center stage. San Francisco Botanical Gar ..read more..