PACIFIC TRAIL SOCIETY

September through December 2004

September 12, Sunday – Mt Tam Roulette

Take a chance on the well-traveled flanks of Mt. Tam.  Walking is a risky business.  Once your feet hit the trail, who knows where they may take you – Inspiration Point or Foul Pool?  “Now far ahead the Road has gone, / And I must follow, if I can / Pursuing it with eager feet, / Until it meets some larger way / Where many paths and errands meet.  / And wither then?  I cannot say” (J.R.R. Tolkien).  Meet at the Mt. Home Inn at 9:45, hike begins at 10:00 AM.  Approximate time to return is 3 PM.

 

Directions: Take the Stinson Beach/Hwy 1 exit from 101 in Mill Valley.  After 1 mile, turn left at stoplight (staying on Hwy 1).  After 2.5 miles, turn right onto Panoramic Hwy and go 3 miles to the parking lot across from the Mt. Home Inn.  It will take about 30 minutes to get to the meeting spot from the GG Bridge.

 

For more information contact For more information contact Vicki at nature_girl8@yahoo.com.  Check the date on the calendar at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ptshikes/calendar 24 hours before the hike for any changes or announcements

September 19, Sunday - Dharma Walk  -- To Green Gulch and Back

Join us for a journey to the zendo the old fashioned way.  Shake off the sins of Saturday night and meet us at the trailhead parking lot in Tennessee Valley at 8:30 am for an 8:45 pilgrimage over Coyote Ridge to Green Gulch Zen Center where we will sit for the Dharma talk and take tea before hiking on to lunch overlooking the ocean.  This is a moderate 8-mile hike with two steep 1000 ft climbs and some mind twisting teachings.  Bring water, hat, sunscreen, lunch, layered clothing and money (in case the monks bake muffins that day). 

 

Directions: Take Highway 101 to the Stinson Beach/Highway 1 Exit, follow Highway 1 for about 1/2 mile, and go left on Tennessee Valley Road, following it to the end.

 

 For more information contact Chris at chrischouteau@earthlink.net.  Check the date on the calendar at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ptshikes/calendar 24 hours before the hike for any changes or announcements.

September 26, Sunday - Mt. Diablo State Park

Early fall weather and glorious views are expected on this challenging hike.  Approximately 12 miles with a 1900-foot elevation gain.  Meet at 10:15; hike leaves at 10:30.  Bring plenty of food, water and attire appropriate for wet conditions.

 

Directions: Take 24 East to the 680 split.  Take I-680 N towards Sacramento.  Keep right after the split.  Take first exit after split for Ygnacio Valley Road, follow East for 7.5 miles.  Turn right onto Clayton Road, go 1 mile.  Turn right onto Mitchell Canyon Road; follow to end.  Go through stop sign and park in main staging area at the end of the drive.

 

For information contact Liv at livimset@yahoo.com.  Check the calendar at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ptshikes 24 hours before the hike for any changes or announcements.

October 3, Sunday- Bass Lake, -Palomarin Trail- Bolinas

Meet at the Palomarin Trailhead at 10:30; hike leaves promptly at 10:45.  The Palomarin is the southernmost staging area on the Point Reyes peninsula.  We will hike along the coast to the north, pausing for a swim at Bass Lake on the way (2.5 miles from the trailhead).  After skirting a small damp canyon, Coast Trail steps out of the woods, and edges toward the ocean and some dramatic cliffs.  On a clear day, we should have a great view west to the Farallones and south to Montara Mountain.  Coyote brush, buttercup, wildflowers, Indian paintbrush, California coffeeberry, lupines, and California sagebrush line the trail.  We will hike past Bass lake and stop for a quick dip - (Note: the water is usually around 58 degrees).  Walk back to Coast Trail and continue on a north loop along Coastal to Wildcat Lake.  Total mileage: about 8 miles.

 

Directions: From Highway 101 in Marin County, exit Stinson Beach.  Drive on Shoreline Highway to the junction with Almonte, about 1 mile.  Turn left and drive about 2.5 miles to the junction with Panoramic.  Continue straight on Highway 1 about 13 miles to an undersigned junction with Olema-Bolinas Road (just past Bolinas Marsh).  Turn left.  At the T intersection, turn left (street sign says Olema-Bolinas Road both ways), drive about 1 mile, and then turn left.  Drive to the next stop sign, and then turn right onto Mesa Road – regular road for 4 miles, then turns to dirt road.

 

For information contact David G. at dmg@phillaw.com.  Check the calendar at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ptshikes 24 hours before the hike for any changes or announcements.

October 10, Mill Valley/Stinson Beach Trek

Climb Mount Tam from Mill Valley, descend in to Stinson Beach and back again on this 15 mile strenuous hike.  This is for the experienced hiker or one who entertains the idea of taking the bus back from Stinson.  Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, hat, layered clothing and lunch.  Meet at 10:00 at Mill Valley Elementary School on Throckmorton across from Old Mill Park in Mill Valley.  Hike leaves at 10:15.Please contact leader if you can take a carpooler.

 

Directions: 101 North, exit MILL VALLEY/STINSON BEACH at the T junction, make a right on Miller Ave all way to Mill Valley downtown, left on Throckmorton for about 0.3 mile.

 

For information, contact Gail at ggdesign@sbcglobal.net at least 24 hours before hike.  Rain cancels.

October 17, Mt Tam

Explore this beautiful mountain by joining us on a 12-13 mile moderately strenuous hike.  We'll start on the eastside in downtown Mill Valley and traverse over to the north side featuring lush redwood forests and lakes.  The hike will be fast paced for experienced hikers.  Bring sunscreen, layered clothing, plenty of water and snacks.  Meet in front of the Mill Valley Elementary School on Throckmorton Avenue in Mill Valley at 9:30 a.m. Hike starts at 9:45 a.m. Estimated finish time approx. 3:00 p.m.

 

Directions: Take the East Blithedale exit from Highway 101 coming from north or south and go west on East Blithedale to Throckmorton in downtown Mill Valley.  Turn left on Throckmorton and drive a few blocks to the Mill Valley Elementary School, which will be on your left.

 

For more info, contact Adele at adoyle@thelenreid.com or Vicki at nature_girl8@yahoo.com.  Check the calendar at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ptshikes 24 hours before the hike for any changes or announcements.

October 24, Sunday - Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Big Basin is the oldest state park in California.  We will start this moderately strenuous 12+ mile hike at park headquarters, and run right into the heart of Big Basin, starting among the largest of the redwoods, climbing past Berry Falls, Silver Falls and Golden Cascade, and setting down for lunch at or near Sunset Camp, depending on the weather.  Our way back will take us via Sunset Trail through several old-growth redwood groves.  This hike is a true gem.

 

Directions: Take either the 101 or 280 freeway south to 85 south.  Exit 85 south at Saratoga Road.  Turn right and head west on Saratoga Road.  This road goes through Saratoga and then begins to climb into the mountains.  Crossing Skyline Drive, the road becomes Highway 9.  Stay on 9 for approximately 6 miles.  You will then see a sign for Highway 236/Big Basin.  Turn right onto Highway 236 and continue on this road for 9 miles until you come to Park Headquarters.  Takes about 1 and 1/4 hours from San Francisco.  Meet in the parking lot across the street from park headquarters at 10:30 a.m.; hike leaves at 10:45 a.m.  Finish time around 4:00 p.m.  RAIN CANCELS.

 

For information contact David G. at dmg@phillaw.com.  Check the calendar at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ptshikes 24 hours before the hike for any changes or announcements.

October 31, Sunday – Mt Tamalpais

Those pretty Lakes on Mt. Tamalpais.  Too bad you can’t swim in them.  This will be a 10-12 mile moderate hike with views of Bon Tempe, Alpine and Lagunitas Lake.  Bring plenty of water, lunch, layered clothing, a hat and suncreen.

 

Directions:  From Highway 101, go west on Sir Francis Drake about 5 miles to Fairfax.  At stoplight, left on Claus, left on Broadway, rights on Bolinas Road and left on Sky Oaks Road.  Meet in the Lake Lagunitas parking area.  It’s a fee lot.  (Probably $5.00, but might get raised.)  Hike meets at 10:00 a.m., leaves at 10:15 a.m.

 

  For information, contact Adele at adoyle@thelenreid.com or Vicki at nature_girl8@yahoo.com.

November 7, Sunday - Steep Ravine/Stinson Beach

** NOTE **  THIS HIKE HAS CHANGED. THE DESCRIPTION BELOW IS FOR THE UPDATED HIKE

Hike down Mount Tam through open meadows with spectacular views to Stinson Beach and back up again.  Meet at 11:15 at the Pan Toll ranger station.  Hike leaves at 11:30.  Please contact leader if you can take a carpooler.

Directions: 101 North, exit at Shoreline Highway/Stinson Beach exit, Shoreline/Highway 1 north, at hairpin turn/intersection, take Panoramic Highway up the mountain until Pan Toll Station.

For information, contact Gail at ggdesign@sbcglobal.net at least 24 hours before hike.  Check the date on the calendar at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ptshikes/calendar 24 hours before the hike for any changes or announcements.

November 21, Sunday - Samuel P. Taylor

Come with your hard-working, fast walking shoes.  Strong hikers only.  Join us on a moderate-paced hike of about 11 miles to the top of Taylor Park and down through the redwoods.  We'll detour to see if the waterfall is running.  We'll start at the Visitor Center (park for free outside the main entrance) and get a reasonable work-out.  Some sheltered and some open skies hiking.  Hike meets at 9:30 and leaves at 9:45.  Should be back no later than 3:00.

 

Directions: The parking and picnic area on Sir Francis Drake after passing through Fairfax, Woodacre and Forest Knolls.

 

For more information, contact JD at jdrows@comcast.net.  On day of hike only, call JD at 415-302-8005.  Check the date on the calendar at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ptshikes/calendar 24 hours before the hike for any changes or announcements.

November 28, Sunday - Pt. Reyes

Come with your hard-working, fast walking shoes.  Strong hikers only.  Join us on a moderate Pt. Reyes hike through diverse areas of about 14 miles.  We'll start at the Visitor's Center at Bear Valley and get a reasonable workout.  Some sheltered and some open skies hiking.  There are bathrooms at the Visitor Center.  No available water after start.  Hydrate the night before.  Hike meets at Bootjack parking lot at 9:30 and leaves at 9:45.  Should be back to our cars no later than 4:00.

 

Directions: Highway 1 to signed turn-off (first left after going through Olema and left at the big barn on your left).

 

For more information, contact JD at jdrows@comcast.net.  On day of hike only, call JD at 415-302-8005.  Check the date on the calendar at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ptshikes/calendar 24 hours before the hike for any changes or announcements.

December 5, Sunday- Mt. Tam South Side

Come with your hard-working, fast walking shoes.  Strong hikers only.  Join us on a moderate Mt. Tam South Side hike of about 14 miles.  We'll start at Bootjack ($5 parking or across the street $0 if early) and get a hard workout.  Some sheltered and some open skies hiking.  Water will be available at Muir Woods.  Hike meets at Bootjack parking lot at 9:00 and leaves at 9:15.  Should be back no later than 3:30.

 

Directions: The parking and picnic area on Panoramic Hwy 6 miles north of Highway 1.  $5 fee.  Limited service by GGT bus #63 on weekends and holidays.

 

For more information, contact JD at jdrows@comcast.net.  On day of hike only, call JD at 415-302-8005.  Check the date on the calendar at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ptshikes/calendar 24 hours before the hike for any changes or announcements.

December 12, Sunday -- Xtreme PTS* -- Cool Redwoods to Sandy Shores (ice cream available upon request)

Traveling from the redwoods and back streets of Mill Valley, we'll clamor up the Zig Zag Trail, skirt quickly across the chaparral of the South side of Mt. Tam, and then pick up the Matt Davis Trail to wind our way down the mountain to the sea.  We'll cut across stream trails, grassy meadows open to the sea, only to land on the sandy beach of Stinson.  We'll lunch on the beach, refill with ice cream, and quickly retrace our route.  This is a long day at a fast pace for experienced hikers (in excess of 15 miles) and there will be three steep 1000 to 2000 ft climbs and descents.  The group travels fast.  Bring plenty of water, food, and a map.  The group meets at 10:00 and hike starts at 10:15 in front of the Library on Throckmorton Avenue and Elma Street in Mill Valley.

 

Directions: Take the East Blithedale exit from Highway 101 coming from north or south and go west on Blithedale about two miles to Throckmorton in the heart of downtown.  Turn left on Throckmorton and wind through downtown a few blocks to Old Mill Park and the Library on your left.

 

For more information, contact Jennie at jennie65@hotmail.com.

December 19, Sunday – PTS Hike Leaders’ Christmas Dinner Hike

By invitation only.  PTS hike leaders RSVP to Chris at chrischouteau@ earthlink.net or Gail at  ggdesign@sbcglobal.net.

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