SPRING 2018 HIKING SCHEDULE

Tuesday Meandering in Marin      Spring 2018

Time: 9:45 – 1:45

Instructor: Wendy Dreskin

WHAT TO BRING: Water, lunch, warm layer, hat, sunscreen. Optional equipment: hiking poles, binoculars, camera. Walks go rain or shine, so wear raingear when appropriate.

April 3 INDIAN VALLEY COLLEGE OPEN SPACE.

     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 hear it at IVC.

     Take 101 to the Ignacio Blvd. exit. Go west and follow Ignacio Blvd. into the campus. Our hike starts from the athletic field near the police station. Bring quarters to get a ticket from the parking machines.

     25 minutes from College of Marin. Restrooms at trailhead.

April 10 CHIMNEY ROCK, POINT REYES NATIONAL SEASHORE

     This is one of Marin's must-see spring wildflower displays! We'll see elephant seals at the overlook and take time to learn about their history and return from the brink of extinction. We often see Pigeon Guillomots, Eared Grebes in breeding plumage, Common Loons, and Savannah Sparrows on this hike. Bring binoculars if you have them.

     Take Sir Francis Drake Blvd. At the junction with Pierce Point Rd, 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. (SFD continues on to end at the Lighthouse parking lot.)

     1 1/2 hours from College of Marin. Outhouse at trailhead.

April 17 MOUNT BURDELL OPEN SPACE

     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. Lunch at Hidden Lake (which given the lack of rain I expect will be Hidden Puddle or non-existent).            

       Take 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.

April 24 GREEN GULCH, GGNRA   NOTE CORRECTION: NOT DEER PARK TO PHOENIX

     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.

     Take the Stinson Beach/Hway 1 exit off Hway 101. Go through Tam Junction, and take Shoreline Highway and follow signs to Muir Beach. Restrooms at trailhead. Time: 55 minutes from COM.

May 1 WOLFE RIDGE. GGNRA

     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.

       From 101 South, 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. Follow the road down past the Marine Mammal Center and park at the end of the road. (The beach will be on the other side of the road.) 40 minutes from COM.

May 8 KENT PUMP ROAD

     While I know we all like loops, I was so excited about osprey nests last spring when I took this hike that I decided to add it to our itinerary. Kent Lake is the largest of the MMWD reservoirs. The first Osprey nest was found at Kent Lake in 1967 when ospreys had been so decimated by DDT it was a big deal to see one. The first bald eagle nested there in 2008. In 2017 there were about eighteen active nests. We’ll hike as far as the first few nests.

       Take the Fairfax-Bolinas Road to the Alpine Dam. Parking is limited, so carpool if possible. Park when you see the dam ahead (first choice), or cross the dam and turn around so you can park on the other side and walk back across the dam.

     Time: 35 minutes from College of Marin. No restrooms at trailhead.

May 15 FINAL EXAM ROCK SPRING, MOUNT TAMALPAIS

We could see coral roots (a native orchid), meadow rue, and golden banners on this mostly shady loop hike.

Take the Mill Valley exit, East Blithedale. Turn left on Camino Alto (left turn only lane). Turn right on Miller Ave. Turn left on Montford. (The 2AM Club is the landmark.) Turn right on Molino. There is a yellow dividing line on the road you follow, so if in doubt "follow the yellow line road." Molino becomes Edgewood which become Sequoia Valley Road. At a big intersection turn right onto Panoramic Hway. At the intersection where the Pantoll Ranger Station is, turn right on Pantoll. (In other words, keep going uphill.) You'll come to an intersection with Ridgecrest Blvd. You'll be facing a dirt parking lot. This is Rock Spring. Park here

     Bring a plate and utensils, and food to share for the Gourmet Final!

     Driving time from College of Marin 55 minutes. Outhouse at trailhead and mid-way.