May 16, Sunday - McGuire Peaks, Sunol Regional Wilderness

 

You can see these two prominent peaks for miles away but the view from on top is well worth the hike. This is a beautiful and relatively seldom visited section of Sunol Wilderness. The taller of the two peaks is 1,688 ft and we will visit both on this challenging hike of approximately 9 miles. We will hike fire roads and then hike a small use/animal trail for a short distance to the top of the peaks. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and we will lunch at the top. We will meet at the visitors’ center/main parking lot at Sunol regional wilderness at 10 am for a prompt 10:15 start. Allow at least 1 hour from San Francisco. Parking is $4 and be sure to get a brochure as you will want to return to this expansive park that is adjacent to Del Valle reservoir and the Ohlone wilderness.

 

For directions and additional information: http://www.ebparks.org/parks/sunol.htm.  Contact the initiator with any questions: Christopher_fulton@hotmail.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.

 

May 23, Sunday

 

Check the date on the calendar at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ptshikes/calendar  for any changes or announcements.

 

May 30, 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 10:30, hike begins at 10:45.  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 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.

 

June 6, Sunday - Mt. Tam Climb

 

We will climb Mt. Tam in a quick accent, hike up to Mountain Theater for lunch and descend back in to Mill Valley via the Dipsea trail. Meet at 11:00 at Mill Valley Elementary School on Throckmorton across from Old Mill Park in Mill Valley. Hike leaves at 11:15.

 

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.

 

Please contact leader if you can take a carpooler. For information, contact Gail at ggdesign@sbcglobal.net at least 24 hours before hike. Rain cancels.

 

Check the date on the calendar at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ptshikes/calendar 24 hours before the hike for any changes or announcements.

 

June 13, Sunday - Palomarin to Wildcat Camp, Point Reyes

 

Hike out to the beach via Bass Lake on this 10-mile moderate hike in southern Point Reyes. Bring two water bottles, lunch, snacks, layered clothing, a hat, and sunscreen.  Read about this hike and view photos at http://www.bahiker.com/northbayhikes/palomarin.html.  Meet in parking lot at Palomarin Trailhead at 10:15. Hike leaves at 10.30

 

Directions:  From San Francisco, take Hwy 1 to Stinson Beach. Proceed north towards Point Reyes; turn left about 3 or 4 miles out of Stinson at the first junction towards Bolinas (unmarked). Turn left at the T intersection, then right on to Mesa Road. Proceed to the trailhead passing the Point Reyes Bird Observatory. Allow an hour from San Francisco.

 

For more information contact Jane at jane@exitotravel.com at least 24 hours before the hike. Please contact leader if you can take a carpooler. RAIN CANCELS.

 

Check the date on the calendar at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ptshikes/calendar 24 hours before the hike for any changes or announcements.

 

June 20, Sunday - Mt Tam - Cataract, High Marsh

 

This is a moderate 7-8 mile hike with waterfalls, views and wildflowers. Meet at Rock Springs parking lot at 10:30 am; hike begins at 10:45.

Directions:  Take the Stinson Beach/Hwy 1 exit from 101. After 1 mile, turn left at stoplight (staying on Hwy 1). After 2.5 miles, turn right onto Panoramic Hwy. At the Pantoll Ranger Station, take a right up the mountain approx. 1 mile to Rock Spring parking lot. Bring water, hat, sunscreen, lunch, layered clothing and rain jacket.

For information, contact Theo at tt4366@mindspring.com at least 24 hours before the hike. Rain cancels.

Check the date on the calendar at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ptshikes/calendar 24 hours before the hike for any changes or announcements.

 

June 27, Sunday - Sam McDonald/Pescadero Creek County Park

 

San Mateo County's three parks in the La Honda area are Pescadero Creek, Memorial and Sam McDonald. Together they comprise some 8000 contiguous acres of typical Santa Cruz Mountain habitat -- redwood and Douglas fir forests, mixed evergreen forests and dense riparian vegetation along streams. We will begin at the entrance to the Sam McDonald County Park and hike through that park's beautiful heritage grove of ancient redwoods, on land bequeathed by Sam McDonald -- a descendent of slaves, who rose over 50 years of service to become Stanford University's Superintendent of Athletic Grounds and Buildings.

 

From there, we will hike into the Pescadero Creek County Park area following the Brook, Canyon and Pomponio Trails. Joined by 19 intermittent streams that tumble down the steep sides of the Towne and Butano ridges, Pescadero Creek forms the centerpiece of the park and our 12-mile hike. This park's network of trails constitutes one of the most remarkable open space areas in all of California.

 

Directions: South on 280 to Highway 84 west (Woodside Road). Crossing Skyline Drive, Highway 84 becomes La Honda Road. Proceed to Pescadero Road, turn left and go approximately 1.1 miles to a triangular intersection with Alpine Road to park entrance on right. Allow at least 1 & 1/4 hour getting to this location from SF. Meet in the parking lot at 10:15 am; hike begins at 10:30 am. Estimated finish time around 4:00 pm.

 

For more information, contact David G. at dmg@phillaw.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.

 

July 11, Sunday – Dipsea Trail

 

Beautiful with varied, rugged terrain. The roundtrip from Mill Valley to Stinson Beach and back is 14.2 miles. This is a strenuous hike at a fast pace for experienced hikers. There are steep climbs (there is 4,400 feet of climb and descent) and lots of stairs (there’s about 700 stair steps). Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, hat, layered clothing and lunch.

 

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 go a few blocks to Old Mill Park. Meet at the Mt. Tam Gravity Car in Old Mill Park. We will meet at 9:45 a.m., hike starts at 10:00 a.m.

 

For more information, contact Adele at adoyle@thelenreid.com or 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.

 

July 18, Sunday – Oakland Hills

 

Come check out Oakland’s Redwoods, rambling, hilly 9-mile hike under the canopy at Redwood Regional Park.

 

Directions:  From Bay Bridge take 580 to 24, then 13 South. Take Park Boulevard exit, turn left and then left on Mountain Boulevard. Right on Snake Road (1st light) which becomes Shepherd Canyon Road. Wind your way up to Skyline, take a right and look for the Skyline parking lot on the left (about 1/3 mile). In Berkeley, go east on Ashby, take 13 South and follow directions as above. Meet at 10:00; hike starts at 10:15.

 

For more information, contact Liv at livimset@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.

 

July 25, Sunday - Mt Tam, West Side

 

Join us on a fast-paced Mt. Tam West Side hike of about 12 miles. We'll start at Bootjack ($5 parking or across the street $0 if early) and take lesser known (steep) trails winding around lakes and back. Some sheltered and some open skies hiking. Hike meets at Bootjack parking lot at 9:00 and leaves at 9:15. Back by 3.

 

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 me 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.

 

August 1, Sunday - Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve

 

The Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve is located on the western slope of the Santa Cruz Mountains overlooking Half Moon Bay. This magnificent preserve, encompassing over 3,000 acres, offers a wide variety of environments. We will hike approximately 9 miles, taking the Whittemore Gulch Trail up, and the Soda Gulch and famed Purisima Creek Trail back down, the canyon, with about a 1200' assent/descent. The canyon provides towering redwoods and an understory of ferns, berries, and wildflowers and is located in a park area that is generally considered one of the most beautiful in San Mateo County.

 

Directions: South on Highway One through Half Moon Bay, continue another mile outside of town to Higgins Purisma Road. Left at intersection and proceed about 15 minutes to parking lot at end of road. Allow at least an hour to get to this location from SF. Parking is limited. Meet in the parking lot at 10:15 am, hike begins at 10:30 a.m. Estimated finish time around 3:00 p.m. Rain cancels. Duarte's in Pescadero for famous Green Chili Soup an option for après-hike.

 

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

 

August 8, Sunday - Oakland Hills / Redwood Regional Park

 

For it being in such close proximity to our urban East Bay setting, Redwood Regional Park is an amazingly wonderful place. Over this 12-mile moderately strenuous hike, you will see grand second growth redwoods, lush creek-moistened ravines, and stretches of wildflowers. You might even forget you're in the East Bay.

 

The Hike: From Skyline Gate, we'll take the West Ridge Trail to the head of the French Trail, which we'll follow in its entirety. After a lunch break, we'll hike a loop in the eastern end of the park including the Toyon, Tate, Golden Spike, and Monteiro Trails. That will lead us to the West Ridge Trail, which will return us to our starting point.   Meet at Skyline Gate Staging Area right off Skyline Blvd. at 10:00. Hike will roll at 10:15.

 

Directions:  From the Bay Bridge, take 580 to 24, then 13 South. Take Park Boulevard exit, turn left and then left on Mountain Boulevard. Right on Snake Road (1st light) which becomes Shepherd Canyon Road. Wind your way up to Skyline, take a right and look for the Skyline parking lot on the left (about 1/3 mile). From Berkeley, go east on Ashby, take 13 South and follow directions as above.

 

Logistics:   For help with car-pooling or other information, contact Jason at jtbosworth@yahoo.com or 510-601-7656.

 

Check the date on the calendar at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ptshikes/calendar 24 hours before the hike for any changes or announcements.

 

August 15, Sunday – Steep Ravine – Stinson Beach

 

Hike down to Stinson Beach through open meadows with spectacular views. We will picnic on the beach then hike back up along the Steep Ravine trail. Meet at 11:15 at the Pan Toll Ranger Station; hike leaves at 11:30. Parking is available at the Ranger Station.

 

Please contact leader if you can take a carpooler. For information, contact Gail at ggdesign@sbcglobal.net at least 24 hours before hike. Rain cancels.

 

Check the date on the calendar at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ptshikes/calendar 24 hours before the hike for any changes or announcements.

 

August 22, Sunday - Double Ferry Trek from Larkspur to Sausalito

 

Two ferry rides and all the walking you could hope for in between. Group meets at the Golden Gate Ferry ticket booth behind the Ferry Building in San Francisco at 10:30 for the 10:40 ferry to Larkspur. We walk through Larkspur to Baltimore Canyon and up onto the slopes of Mt. Tam, around the mountain and across the coastal ridges to Sausalito catching the ferry back to San Francisco (arriving at 6:40). This is an epic trans Marin tramp with many habitats, trails, and glorious views. It is also a long day at a fast pace for experienced hikers (approximately 20 miles at 3+ mph) and there will be two 1500 ft climbs and descents. Bring two water bottles, lunch, snacks, layered clothing, a hat, and sunscreen.

 

For information on ferry tickets, contact Golden Gate Ferry http://www.goldengateferry.org/schedules/index.html. For more information, contact Joel at joel2cox@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.

 

August 29, Sunday

 

Check the date on the calendar at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ptshikes/calendar  for any changes or announcements.

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