As we do each year, we'll wrap up the Spring College of Marin hiking series with this
Mount Tamalpais State Park hike. (
Click here 
for a recap of our 2010 hike. View photos from past hikes in the
online album).
Here's Wendy's outline for the hike: “Some years we've seen eight species of butterflies including a Brown Elfin, Western Tiger Swallowtail, and lots of Propertius Duskywings! We should see Coral Roots, Oakland Star Lilies, Mount
Tamalpais Jewel Flowers, 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
at 9:10 am).
Weather forecast: As of Wednesday, May 8th, the National Weather
Service forecast for the area around Rock Spring on Mt. Tam was mostly sunny, with a high near 66. (
Click here for an updated forecast).
More on this hike: The "B17 Simmons - Potrero - Arturo Trails"
hike in the Martins' book, Hiking Marin, shows the trails that we'll be
hiking on, although we'll probably follow a different route (Simmons to
Benstein to Potrero Meadows to Laurel Dell and back up the Cataract
Trail to Rock Spring). Page 6 of the
state park brochure
has a trail map that shows the area. 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).
Although this is our final hike of Spring,
Summer Meanders begin on May 21st and continue weekly through at least the end of July, mostly out at Point Reyes National Seashore.
