ROCKY RIDGE HIKE 11/13/18

Here's an earlier description of this hike: "After we cross the dam we have about an hour of uphill walking, but we’ll take it slowly admiring the sweeping views of the lakes and checking out the early wildflowers. Lunch by the lake."

Directions to trailhead: Take Sir Francis Drake Boulevard into Fairfax. Jog left and make an immediate right in front of the movie theater.  

The first left puts you on Bolinas Avenue. Follow this until you see the sign on your left for Lake Bon Tempe and Lake Lagunitas. 

Follow the road to the Sky Oaks Ranger Station. Pull over and park on the right and pay the $8 day-use fee (unless you own an MMWD 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.

Then continue driving toward Lake Lagunitas. When you reach the right turn marked Lake Bon Tempe, turn right onto a dirt road that takes you to the parking lot by the dam. 

Click here for a Google Maps map that shows the trailhead at the Bon Tempe dam.  Click on the teardrop icon to get directions and driving times from your location.

Portables at trailhead. Time: 25 minutes from COM.

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

Weather forecast: As of Saturday 11/10/18, the National Weather Service forecast for the day of the hike was mostly sunny with a high near 69. (Click here for an updated National Weather service forecast.)

More on this hike:  The Martins' book, Hiking Marin, describes a hike called Kent Trail - Rocky Ridge FR C14. It is unclear which route we will be taking.

The Hiking Project Website shows a hike that may be the one that Wendy plans to do (although perhaps in the reverse direction). 

Bahia Open Space, Novato 11/6/18

ELECTION DAY - BE SURE TO VOTE on 11/6/18

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. See the note at the bottom for more information about restrooms, courtesy of Janice Low.

Carpoolers used to meet at the Terra Linda Park & Ride lot on the east side of Highway 101 at the Smith Ranch Road exit. This Park & Ride has permanently closed. The next closest Park & Ride is in Novato. (Click here for a Google Maps map showing the Park & Ride location in Novato. Click on the teardrop icon to get, directions and estimated driving from your location.)

Weather forecast: As of Wednesday, November 1st, the weather forecast for this hike was sunny with a high near 80. (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 I have, 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.

More restroom information from Janice Low:

Re: Public bathrooms near Bahia:

1.Trader Joe's and Starbucks along with two gas stations (Shell and Chevron) are located on Redwood Blvd and Olive.

Directions:  Take the Atherton/San Marin turn off from HWY 101.  Redwood Blvd is just West  of the freeway.

Drive south on Redwood three (or four) blocks and you will see the corner with the gas stations and Starbucks.

To get to Bahia, return to Redwood and go north.  Turn right, going over the freeway and straight into Atherton Ave.

Then follow Wendy's directions again.

2. Whole Foods is right off the DeLong Exit from HWY 101.  It's immediately on the west side before crossing any street.  

You'll need to find the public parking entrance t o access the store.

To get to Bahia, go back to Hwy 101 and go North one freeway exit to Atherton.  Follow Wendy's directions again.

Tuesday Members Only: If you miss any of the above, you can come to my house in Bahia.  There's all vinyl floors on the way to my bathroom.

I'm 604 Andale Avenue.  Proceed two minutes on Topaz.  At the second mini-park (with the rail fence) turn right onto Andale Avenue. Click here for a Google Map showing the location.

 I'll wait until 9:30 to leave..

East Peak, Mt. Tamalpais State Park 10/30/18

FALL 2  TUESDAYS INSTRUCTOR:  Wendy Dreskin TIME: 9:45 AM until 1:45 PM     

WHAT TO BRING:  Water, lunch, warm layer, hat, sunscreen. Optional equipment: hiking poles, binoculars. Walks go rain or shine, so wear raingear when appropriate. State park pass or $8 cash for parking at East Peak. MMWD pass or credit card for parking at Lake Lagunitas.     

This week we hike in Mount Tamalpais State Park.

This lovely loop takes us by California torreya trees with their nutmeg-like nuts, past scenic Inspiration Point, to beautiful Colier Spring where we lunch under the redwoods.

We'll take Northside Trail to International Trail after lunch.

(Click here for photos from past hikes.)

Directions to trailhead:  Take the Stinson Beach/Highway 1 exit off Highway 101. Go west through Tam Valley and up onto the ridge.

Turn right onto Panoramic Highway and follow signs to Mt. Tamalpais. Keep going up the mountain, and when you get to Pantoll at the crest of Panoramic Highway (beyond Bootjack, where our hike to the Mountain Theater begins), turn to the right and head uphill.

When you top out on this road, turn right and keep going until the road ends at the East Peak parking lot. (Parking costs $8/day unless you have a park pass).  

Click here for a Google Maps map that shows the East Peak Parking lot. Click on the teardrop icon to get driving times and directions from your location. 
  
(Click here for a map of Mt. Tam that you can view and print out).

1 hour from College of Marin.  Carpoolers can meet at the Greenbrae Parking & Ride lot at 8:55 am. Restrooms at trailhead. (Click here for a Google Maps map showing the parking lot on Drakes Landing Road; right click on the teardrop icon to get driving time and directions from your location.)

Weather forecast: As of Wednesday, October 24th, the National Weather forecast for the hike was mostly sunny with a high near 71. (Click here for an updated forecast).

More on this hike:  Hike "B21 Northside - Colier – Lakeview Trails" in the Martins’ book, Hiking Marin, shows the trails we’ll be taking.  You can also view the trails on page six of the Mount Tamalpais State Park brochure.

The following photo shows the route we'll take.

This version shows the distance we'll hike.

Here's the hike profile showing the elevation changes.

Estero Trail, Pt. Refer 10/23/18

Fall 2 starts with a lovely hike. This is not a loop hike, but there are marvelous views!

(Click here for a brief recap of our July 13, 2010 hike. Here's the album of photos taken during our past hikes in this area.).

Directions to trailhead:

Turn right at Olema and make an immediate left onto Bear Valley Road. (Use the restrooms at the park's Visitor Center in Bear Valley if you do not want to wait until you reach those at the trailhead). Continue until you pick up Sir Francis Drake again.

Go through Inverness and head uphill.

When you reach the turn off to the right onto Pierce Point Road, bear to the left and continue on Sir France Drake toward Chimney Rock and the Lighthouse.  Pass Mt. Vision Road on your left, and then in one mile turn left onto the road to Estero Trail.

Take this road to the parking lot at the trailhead. Click here for a Google Maps map that shows the parking lot. Click on the teardrop icon to get driving time and directions from your location.

Time: 1 hour from College of Marin. Carpoolers can meet at St. Rita's at 8:55 am.  Outhouse at the trailhead. (Pull into the Bear Valley Visitors Center area if you need an earlier restroom stop.)

Weather forecast: As of Wednesday, October 17th, the weather forecast for the hike was partly

sunny, with a high near 64.  (Click here for an updated forecast.) 

More on this hike: "Hike G11 Estero - Drakes Head Trails" in the Martins' book, Hiking Marin, shows where we'll be hiking, although not necessarily our exact route.

Two hikes ("Estero Trail to Sunset Beach" and "Estero Trail to Drakes Head" in Tracy Salcedo-Chourre's book, Exploring Point Reyes National Seashore and Golden Gate National Recreation Area also cover this area).

The trails are also shown on the park's North District Hiking Trails map.

This Google Earth image gives a bird's eye view of this part of the park with the route we'll follow and the trail length and profile information. (Click on the photo to open a larger image in your Web browser).