Today we take a different route from a familiar trailhead in Point Reyes National Seashore to make a 4.6
mile loop. We get our exercise
on the uphill before lunch and then stroll downhill to complete the
loop. (
Click here for a recap of our November, 2008, election day hike).
Directions to trailhead: Note that this special advisory from the San Anselmo Police
Department for the day of the hike that could affect those of us coming
through San Anselmo and Fairfax to reach Point Reyes --- "Road work
and lane closures (in both directions of
travel) are scheduled to be performed on Sir
Francis Drake Blvd. from 9 am – 3 pm. The
lane closures will be between San Francisco
Boulevard and Suffield Avenue (near the
border of Fairfax). Drivers should expect
delays during these hours and should plan
accordingly. Plan to take alternative
routes, if possible."
While we should be driving to and through Fairfax before Sir Francis Drake is closed westbound in the morning, it is possible that traffic headed toward Fairfax on both Sir Francis Drake and Center Boulevard before 9 a.m. will be heavy if drivers leave earlier than usual for their destinations.
After the hike, we will probably get back to St. Rita's Church
sometime between 2:30-3:00 p.m., shortly before or just as Sir Francis
Drake reopens. However, eastbound traffic on both Sir Francis Drake and Center Boulevard after 3 p.m. could be heavier than usual due to the closure of Drake earlier in the day.
Take
Sir Francis Drake Boulevard west to Olema. Turn right on Route 1, then
make an immediate left onto Bear Valley Road. Continue past Park
Headquarters (
turn in if you need a restroom --- there are none at the trailhead or along the hike's route) and go left on Limantour
Road. Turn left at the sign for the youth hostel. Follow that road until
you see a right turn across a bridge to the Laguna Trailhead by the
Clem Miller Education Center. Park in the parking lot.
To save yourself a mile walk back to you car at the end of the hike, park at the Muddy Hollow
parking lot and ride with a friend to the Laguna trailhead where we'll start our hike.
55 minutes from
College of Marin. Carpoolers can meet at St. Rita's Church in Fairfax at 9:00 a.m.
No restrooms at trail head or along the route of the hike.
Weather Forecast:
As of Tuesday afternoon, October 4, the National Weather Service forecast for the October 11th hike was sunny with a high of 59. (
Click here for an updated forecast).
More on this hike: We'll follow the route of hike G5 in the
Martins' book,
Hiking Marin, by departing from the Laguna Trailhead, climbing up the
Laguna Trail, then going down Sky Trail, across the Limantour Road, and descending
the Bayview Trail to the Muddy Hollow parking lot. (If you left your car at the Laguna Trailhead and can't hitch a ride back to it, you've got a final half-mile walk back to your wheels).
The Point Reyes National Seashore North District Trail Map shows the trails we'll follow.
