Bahia Open Space, Novato (11/21/2017)

For our next hike we'll head north to the Novato area and do some birdwatching on a portion of the Marin County Open Space lands. (Click here for a recap of our 2009 hike. Click here for photos taken on past hikes in this area.)

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. (If you don't have any, I have extras I can loan you.) We usually see about ten species of ducks, as well as stilts, avocets, grebes, raptors 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.

(Click here for a Google Maps map showing the trailhead location. Click on the teardrop icon to get driving directions and estimated driving time from your location). 

Driving time from College of Marin: 35 minutes. No restrooms at trailhead, but Dick Jordan suggests using one at Starbuck's in the Vintage Oaks Shopping Center just south of downtown Novato where you can also pick up beverages and food items if you need them.

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. (Click here for a Google Maps map showing the Park & Ride location. Click on the teardrop icon to get, directions and estimated driving from your location.)
 
Weather forecast: As of Friday, November 17th, the weather forecast for this hike was a chance of rain, mostly cloudy with a high near 67. (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.

This map shows the route we generally follow.

Here's the hike profile.