PACIFIC TRAIL SOCIETY

January through April 2003

January 12, Sunday – Mt. Tam

A 12 mile, semi-strenuous loop hike up and down Mt. Tam via enchanting trails mostly covered under redwood forests, and along babbling brooks.  Meet at the entrance to the Mill Valley Elementary School on Throckmorton across from Old Mill Park in Mill Valley.  Bring water/lunch; wear hiking shoes/layered clothing. Group meets at 10:15 and the hike starts at 10:30. 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. Contact Kevin at iceplant@yahoo.com or 415-386-6301. Leader will stop at the Union 76 Gas Station on Geary/Park Presidio at 9:40 am; let him know if you need ride. Check the Pacific Trail Society website 24 hours before the hike for any changes or announcements.

January 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).  Take Highway 101 to the Stinson Beach/Highway 1 Exit and follow Highway 1 for about 1/2 mile and go left on Tennessee Valley Rd. following it to the end.  For more information contact Chris at 415-986-6370 or email (weekdays only) wcc2@pge.com. Check the PTS website 24 hours before the hike for any changes or announcements.

January 26, Sunday - Fall Creek Redwoods, Felton

Starting our hike in a verdant fern and redwood canyon, we will explore the site of an 1870's limekiln and then climb steeply to the top of the canyon amid impressive redwoods, firs and madrones. We return along soothing, luscious Fall Creek. This is a moderate hike covering 8 miles with a 1,400 foot elevation gain/loss. Meet at 10:00 at the Fall Creek parking lot. Hike begins at 10:15. Directions: Take Highway 17 towards  Santa Cruz. Exit at Scotts Valley /Mount Hermon Road offramp. Drive  northwest on Mount Hermon Road, through Scotts Valley for about 3.5 miles.  When Mount Hermon Road ends at Graham Hill Road, in Felton, turn right.  After just 0.1 mile, Graham Hill Road ends at a traffic light at Highway 9.  Continue straight through the light on Felton Empire Road. Drive about  0.6 mile on Felton Empire Road, and turn right into the Fall Creek parking lot.  Allow 1.5 hours to drive from the East Bay. Note: there are no restroom  facilities at the Fall Creek parking lot. Contact Mary at 510-841-4468 or mtnmusic@earthlink.net. Check the Pacific Trail Society website 24 hours before the hike for any changes or announcements.

February 2, Sunday – Steep Ravine/Stinson Beach

Hike up Mount Tam from Stinson Beach and back down through open meadows with spectacular views.  This is a 7 to 8 mile hike with 1500 feet of climbing. Meet at 11:00 in front of the Stinson Beach Fire House; hike leaves at 11:15.  Please contact leader if you can take a carpooler. For info contact Gail at lgordon@peoplepc at least 24 hours before hike.  Rain cancels. Check the PTS website 24 hours before the hike for any changes or announcements.

February 9, Sunday - San Francisco City Hike

A 5 mile one way hike from Cole Valley to Noe Valley, climbing to top of Twin Peaks via a hidden path through a lush canyon with many interesting stairways unique to SF. Optional refreshment/food stop in Noe Valley after the hike. Hike begins at 11AM. Bring water/snack and hiking shoes. Meet in front of the cafe at the corner of Cole and Carl streets at 10:45.   The N. Judah Muni stops right in front. Rain cancels. Contact Kevin at iceplant@yahoo.com or 415-386-6301. Check the PTS website 24 hours before the hike for any changes or announcements.

February 16, 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 PTS website 24 hours before the hike for any changes or announcements.

February 23, 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. 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 info contact Theo at tt4366@mindspring.com at least 24 hours before the hike. Heavy rain cancels. Check the PTS website 24 hours before the hike for any changes or announcements.

March 2, Sunday - Limantour Beach with Mt Whitenberg

Hike along the beach and up into the hills on this strenuous 10-mile hike. This is a beautiful hike combining the beach with lush forests and open hills.  Meet at 11:00 am at the Limantour Beach parking lot: hike leaves at 11:15 am sharp.  Take 101 north to Sir Frances Drake and follow Sir Frances Drake out to Olema.  At Olema, turn right and go 1/8 mile for a left onto Bear Valley Road.  Take Bear Valley Road until the sign and turn-off for the road to Limantour Beach.  Follow the road out until you see the beach. Drive takes about 1 1/4 hour from San Francisco.  Please contact leader if you can offer a ride to a carpooler.  For info contact Gail at Lgordon@peoplepc.com at least 24 hours before the hike.  Rain cancels. Check the Pacific Trail Society website 24 hours before the hike for any changes or announcements.

March 9, Sunday - Mt Tam; Northside Watershed

Hike along mostly narrow trails past three lakes (Phoenix, Bon Tempe and Lagunitas) and visit a truly amazingly large Madrone tree. While we'll not conquer Mt Tam, its peaks will star in many of the spectacular views throughout the day. The hike's pace will be brisk, but we'll climb just 1000' in all with no killer hills. Distance: 9 miles. Meet at 10:30am at the intersection of Bolinas & Waverly Aves in San Anselmo; hike leaves at 10:45am. Directions: Sir Francis Drake westbound from either the Richmond Bridge or 101. Turn left on Bolinas Ave, just past the town of Ross; continue four blocks to Waverly, at the Seminary Green. Street parking is permitted on Bolinas, but is restricted on Waverly: check signs. Come with layered clothing, water and lunch. Heavy rain cancels. Contact Jo at blafnout@yahoo.com. Check the Pacific Trail Society website 24 hours before the hike for any changes or announcements.

March 16, Sunday - Muir Beach/Pelican Inn

Join us for a nice coastal hike.  Meet at 11:30 am at the far end of the Muir Beach parking lot near the picnic tables; hike begins at 11:45 am. We'll hike about 7-9 miles; moderately steep climbing involved; late lunch break on the trail. For info contact Colleen at colleen_oshea@yahoo.com. Check the PTS website 24 hours before the hike for any changes or announcements.

March 23, Sunday – Mountain Theater/West Point Inn Loop

Join us for this 9 mile hike where we visit some of the history of Mt. Tam. This is a moderate hike; will climb approximately 1500 feet.  Meet at the Pan Toll Ranger station at 10:30 am; hike begins at 10:45. 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 and follow to Pantoll Ranger Station. Heavy rain cancels. For info contact Theo at tt4366@mindspring.com or Liv at livimset@yahoo.com. Check the PTS website 24 hours before the hike for any changes or announcements.

March 30, Sunday - Pt Reyes - Sky Trail Loop

Traverse Pt Reyes from its upper forests to its southern beaches. We'll cover terrain from the Sky Camp staging area to Arch Rock (some climbing required) and tide permitting continue along the shore to a "forbidden" beach for lunch. After an easy walk along Coastal Trail, we'll trek back up to Sky Trail with just 1.5 miles of backtracking. Distance: 10 miles. Meet at 11am at the Sky Trail/Sky Camp parking area; hike leaves at 11:15am. Directions: Sir Francis Drake to Olema. Turn right at Hwy 1; take the first left on Bear Valley Rd; continue past headquarters to Limantour Rd; turn left and continue uphill for about 5 minutes; look for Sky Trail/Sky Camp sign. Parking is limited; carpooling recommended  (you, not PTS, arranges). Come with layered clothing, water and lunch. Heavy rain cancels.  Contact Jo at blafnout@yahoo.com. Check the PTS website 24 hours before the hike for any changes or announcements.

April 6, Sunday - Mt Diablo State Park

Soggy footing and glorious wildflowers are expected on this challenging hike. Approx.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. 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 info contact Liv at livimset@yahoo.com Check the PTS website 24 hours before the hike for any changes or announcements.

April 13, Sunday - Calistoga Palisades

A car shuttle brings us to the pass on Mt. St. Helena for this moderate, 5-hour hike. We ascend a ridge and traverse the top of the palisades, a steep escarpment of volcanic origin, from which we will have sweeping views of the Napa Valley. We descend to Calistoga through fields of flowers and stands of pine and oak; 10 miles total. Meet at the crossroads of Highway 29 and the Silverado Trail at 11:00. Drive north on I-80. Exit onto American Canyon Rd. and head west. Turn right onto Highway 29 and proceed through to the east end of Calistoga. The start of the hike is a 1.5 hour drive from the S.F.Bay Area. Contact Mary at 510-841-4468 or mtnmusic@earthlink.net. Check the PTS website 24 hours before the hike for any changes or announcements.

April 27, Sunday - Mill Valley to the Sea

This is a chance to experience a trip to the beach from another century.  Are you from pioneer stock?  Join us on this hardy, romantic excursion by foot from small town backyards, across the flanks of Mt. Tam to the ocean and back.  This will be a beautiful trek by coastal streams, across open slopes and under towering redwoods with many wildflowers and vistas.  It is also a long day at a fast pace for experienced hikers (approximately 20 miles) and there will be three steep 1000 to 2000 ft climbs and descents.  Bring two water bottles, lunch, snacks, layered clothing, a hat, and sunscreen.  The group meets at 10 am and hike starts at 10:15 in front of the Library on Throckmorton Ave. and Elma St. in Mill Valley.  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 Chris at 415-986-6370 or email (weekdays only) wcc2@pge.com. Check the PTS website 24 hours before the hike for any changes or announcements.

 

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