Devil's Gulch to Mt. Barnabe Hike (11/13) Preview

This week we'll head toward West Marin and stop at Samuel P. Taylor State Park. We'll hike up towards, but not all the way to the summit, of Mount Barnabe.

Here's Wendy's description of the hike: "This may be only mountain named for a mule! We’re not going all the way to the lookout on the top, so we’ll keep within our 1000’ elevation gain limit. (Mount Barnabe is 1446’; click here for photos taken from the fire lookout). The way up is longer and more gradual (about 5% grade), but you’ll want your hiking poles for the shorter fire road down. We’ll stop by the Samuel and Sarah Taylor’s grave site." (Click here for photos from one of our previous hikes.)

Directions: Take Sir Francis Drake Boulevard past the main park entrance. As you head west, watch for the sign for Devil’s Gulch on your right and the dirt parking area on your left.

Time: 40 minutes from College of Marin. No restrooms at trailhead. (Use ones at main park entrance as you pass by.) Carpoolers can meet at St. Rita's Church in Fairfax at 9:15 am.

Weather Forecast: As of Thursday, November 8th, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was partly sunny, with a high near 62 and a chance of rain. (Click here for an updated forecast).

More On This Hike: Hike "D11 Devil's Gulch to Mt. Barnabe" in the Martins' book, Hiking Marin, shows the trails we'll follow, although we'll skip the sidetrip to the summit.  You can find the trails on page 4 of the park brochure.

East Peak Hike Photos Now Online!

Alas, Theresa Fisher wasn't along during last week's hike in the East Peak Area of Mt. Tam State Park hike, but Wendy and Dick Jordan took a few photos with their iPhones which are now online!

View them on the Meandering blog or click here for the on-line album.

Mountain Home to West Point Inn Hike (11/6) Preview

We haven't done this loop hike from Mountain Home up to West Point Inn (bring some cash if you want coffee, lemonade, hot chocolate or other snacks) for so long that it's not previously been covered in the Meandering blog.

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. Drive about 4 miles. When you reach Mountain Home Inn on your right, park in the parking lot across the road on your left.

50 minutes from College of Marin. Carpoolers can meet at the Greenbrae Park & Ride lot at 9:00 am.  Outhouse at trail head, restrooms at West Point Inn lunch stop.

Weather forecast: As of Wednesday, October 31, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was sunny, with a high near 83. (Click here for an updated forecast.)

More on this hike:  Hike "B10 "Old RR Grade to West Point Inn" in the Martin's book, Hiking Marin, shows the area where we’ll be hiking, although the route we take may differ. The trails are also shown on the Mount Tamalpais map and the Mount Tamalpais State Park brochure. 

East Peak Mt. Tam Hike (10/30) Preview

This week we once again hike in Mount Tamalpais State Park.

This lovely loop takes up be 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.

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 began), 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 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.

Weather forecast: As of Thursday, October 25, the National Weather forecast for the hike was a slight chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 73.  (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 and the trails on page five of the Mount Tamalpais State Park brochure.