The One, True (Meandering) Blog

The original Meandering blog on Google’s Blogger server (http://meanderingtuesdays.blogspot.com) can now can be viewed on smartphones in either the regular “Web version” or the easier-to-read “Mobile version.”  Scroll to the bottom of the page on your phone’s Web browser to toggle between these to viewing methods.

As of today, Dick Jordan has stopped posting updates to the WordPress.com version of the blog (http://meanderinginmarinontuesdays.wordpress.com) which he set up to mirror the Blogger version of the blogger before it was “optimized” for viewing on mobile devices. 

Sky Trail To Mt. Wittenberg Hike (2/1) Preview

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. We often see several species of Amanitas on this hike including the red one with white dots (Amanita muscaria), as well as fairy bathtubs, and sunny-side-ups. 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.

 

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.

50 minutes from College of Marin. Carpoolers should meet at St. Rita's around 8:35-8:40 a.m., and depart around 8:45 a.m. (to allow time for a restroom break at Bear Valley) and 9:00 a.m. at the latest (if driving directly to the trailhead).

Weather forecast:  As of Tuesday evening, January 25, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was sunny with a high near 56.  (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, 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).

Winter 2011 Hike List Now Available!

Wendy has just e-mailed the detailed list of hikes for the College of Marin Winter 2011 session (February 1 – March 15).  Click here if you need a copy.

The hike dates and a link to the on-line copy of the hike details can also be found on the “Upcoming Hikes”  page on the Meandering blog.

Sky Oaks to Deer Park “Final Exam” (1/25) Preview

Downhill and level! Maybe we’ll see the first milkmaids of the season!  (Click here for a recap of the hike we did in October of 2009; last January’s hike in this area was rained out).

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, 2011.  (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 Thursday, January 20, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was mostly sunny with a high near 60.  (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 map.