Sky Oaks to Deer Park “Final Exam” (1/19) Preview

This hike has some short uphill stretches, but much of it is downhill or fairly level. Maybe we’ll see the first new leaves on the Buckeye trees! We oftren get our first Hound's Tongue and Douglas Iris on this hike. (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 School to carpool. Take Bolinas Avenue in Fairfax, turn left on Porteous. (If you see the sign for Deer Park Villa you’ve gone a bit too far on Bolinas Avenue, so turn around, head back toward town, and turn right on Porteous.)

Go to the parking lot at the end of Porteous. (Click here for a MapQuest map showing the location of Deer Park School; click on #1 to get driving directions and estimated driving time from your location.)

Shuttle drivers will take us to the parking area just beyond the Sky Oaks entrance and leave their cars there. They'll leave their food in the cars we'll leave behind at Deer Park School.
 
If you are going to shuttle hikers from Deer Park to Sky Oaks, use one of the two automated pay station machines at the parking area to pay the $8 day use fee unless have an MMWD Watershed pass.
 
You can use a credit card, $1, $5, or $10 bills (but not coins or $20 bills) at the automated pay station.

Annual watershed area parking passes for Marin residents are $60 ($30 for those 62 and older). You can buy them online or at the MMWD main office in Corte Madera.

20 minutes from the College of Marin to Deer Park School. Carpool from St. Rita Church in Fairfax at 9:25 a.m.

Restrooms at Deer Park and portable (hopefully) at Sky Oaks, and porta-potty en route. 

Weather forecast:  As of Wednesday, January 13, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was a chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 53.  (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.