PACIFIC TRAIL SOCIETY

January through April 2004

January 9, Sunday – Mt Tam from source to summit

We will hike the length of Bolinas Ridge from Tomales Bay to the tip of East Peak tracking Mt Tam all the way from its rolling inconspicuous origins off the San Andreas fault to its lofty flanks dominating the central Marin landscape.  This is an all day climb with many habitats, trails, and spectacular views.  It is also a long day at a fast pace for experienced hikers (approximately 20 miles) and there will be one long 2500 ft ascent.

 

Directions: Group meets at the San Rafael Golden Gate Transit Bus Station (3rd and Hetherton).  In order to take advantage of more daylight: 1) if you can meet at the San Rafael bus depot at 8 AM, my wife has agreed to ferry 4 of you to the trailhead, 2) if anyone wants to leave their car at Mountain Home (trail-end), I will pick them up at 7:15 AM to transport them out to the trailhead, 3) if anyone wants to drive to the trailhead (northern terminus of the Bolinas Ridge Rd at Sir Francis Drake Blvd. -- 3/4 mile east of Olema and 1/2 mile west of junction with Platform Bridge Rd.) once we get back to San Rafael, I'm willing to drive them out to recover their cars. Carpooling is greatly encouraged.  Bring two water bottles, lunch, snacks, layered clothing, a hat, and sunscreen. 

 

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.

January 16, Sunday – Mt. Tam - Rugged Mountainside to Beautiful Lakes

Come and start off the new year by exploring one of the Bay Area's well-known mountains with us on this strenuous but pretty 14 mile hike.  This will be a hard workout for strong and experienced hikers.  We'll start at downtown Mill Valley from the Zig Zag trail and traverse up and over to the lush north side's Alpine Lake and Lake Lagunitas and return via the Middle or East Peak.  Meet in front of the Old Mill Elementary School on Throckmorton Avenue in Mill Valley at 9:30 a.m.  Hike starts at 9:45 a.m.  Estimated finish time approx. 3:30 p.m.

 

Directions: Take Hwy 101 and take the East Blithedale exit.  Go west on East Blithedale towards downtown Mill Valley.  Turn Left on Throckmorton and drive a few blocks to the Old Mill Elementary School, which will be on your right.

 

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

February 6, Sunday – Mt. Tam - Double Dipsea

Join us on this 14.2 roundtrip hike from Mill Valley to Stinson Beach and back on the legendary Dipsea Trail.  We start by ascending 691 steps in downtown Mill Valley and trek through beautiful rugged terrain and approximately 4000 ft of ascent and descent.  This will be a hard and fast-paced hike for experienced hikers.  Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, hat, layered clothing and lunch.  Meet at Old Mill Park in Mill Valley at 9:00 a.m. Hike starts at 9:15 a.m. Estimated return is 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 go a few blocks to Old Mill Park, which will be on your left.  We will meet at 9:45 a.m. and hike starts at 10:00 a.m.

 

For more information, contact Vicki at nature_girl8@yahoo.com

February 27, Sunday – Mt Tam/Indian Fire Trail/Music Stand

We’ll start in Mill Valley, taking a lesser-traveled route to East Peak via the Indian Fire Trail.  We’ll then traverse across the north side, dropping down to the Music Stand for lunch.  We may also drop down into Muir Woods after lunch with possible stop at the Tourist Club.  We will return via the Tenderfoot Trail.  This will be a strenuous hike at a fast pace, 10-15 mi with 3000-4000 feet of elevation gain.  Meet at 9am at Old Mill Park in Mill Valley.  Hike leaves at 9:15.

 

Directions: From 101 N, take E. Blithedale/Tiburon exit to Mill Valley.  Make a right at the exit and follow E. Blithedale around until intersection with Camino Alto Road.  Keep going straight on E. Blithedale until you hit downtown Mill Valley.  Veer left into the downtown area until you reach Throckmorton.  Take Throckmorton until the intersection with Cascade where Old Mill Park is.

 

For more information email jennifer.barlow@travis.af.mil with any questions.

March 6, Sunday – 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.

March 13, 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, including the largest of the redwoods, Berry Falls, Silver Falls and Golden Cascade, and lunch at or near Sunset Camp, depending on the weather.  This hike is a true gem.

 

Directions: Take either the 101 or 280 freeways 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.  It 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.

March 20, Sunday –Mt Tam/Steep Ravine Cabins

We’ll start in Mill Valley, taking the Dipsea Trail out to the Lone Tree Fire Road and down to the Steep Ravine Cabins where weather permitting we’ll be rewarded with incredible ocean views.  We’ll then have a steep climb back up, with possible detours to Stinson Beach and O’Rourke’s Bench along the way.  This will be a strenuous hike at a fast pace, between 15-20 mi with 3000-4000 feet of elevation gain.  Meet at 9am at Old Mill Park in Mill Valley.  Hike leaves at 9:15.

 

Directions: From 101 N, take E. Blithedale/Tiburon exit to Mill Valley.  Make a right at the exit and follow E. Blithedale around until intersection with Camino Alto Road.  Keep going straight on E. Blithedale until you hit downtown Mill Valley.  Veer left into the downtown area until you reach Throckmorton.  Take Throckmorton until the intersection with Cascade where Old Mill Park is.

 

For more information email jennifer.barlow@travis.af.mil with any questions.

April 3, Sunday – Mt Tamalpais

This hike is approximately 15 miles and mostly moderate but with one very strenuous climb up the Collier trail--a good 30-45 minutes of practically straight up hill climbing.  It's beautiful but great when it's over.  This hike also includes waterfalls on the Cataract trail and views of Bon Tempe, Alpine and Lagunitas Lake.  Bring plenty of water, lunch, layered clothing, a hat and sunscreen.  Meet at Rock Springs Parking Lot above Pantoll Ranger Station.  Hike meets at 9:45 a.m., leaves at 10:00 a.m.

 

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.

 

For information, contact Adele at adoyle@thelenreid.com

April 10, Sunday – Castle Rock State Park

Sitting atop the Santa Cruz Mountains, falling within three counties, Castle Rock State Park is a treasure of diversity and wildness seldom seen next to a large metropolitan area.  Primarily a combination of grassland, mixed evergreen woodland, chaparral and deep redwood forest, Castle Rock boasts some unusual plant communities.  Castle Rock also has several stands of virgin Coast Redwood in addition to extensive acreage in second growth.  This rugged watershed, anchored by the San Lorenzo River, is a key piece in the mosaic of preserved lands in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

 

We will head out in search of spring wildflowers starting in the higher elevations of the park at the main entrance, passing by Castle Rock (elev. 3214'), Goat Rock and Varian Peak (elev. 2865'), then heading out toward Travertine Springs (our low point, at elev. 1800') for lunch.  We will return via the Saratoga Toll Road and Skyline Trail to our starting point, for a total of approximately 13 miles of mostly single track hiking together with some moderately strenuous up and down (or, more accurately, down and up).

 

Directions: Take either the 101 or 280 freeways 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.  At Skyline Drive, turn left and proceed three miles to park entrance on right.  Takes about 1 hour from San Francisco.  Meet in the main parking lot 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/calendar 24 hours before the hike for any changes or announcements.

April 17, Sunday – Limantour Beach with Mount Whitenberg

Hike along the beach and up in to the hills on this strenuous 10-mile    hike.  This is a beautiful hike with beach, lush forests and open hills.  We can add mileage to the hike if so desired.  Meet at 10:00 at the Limantour Beach parking lot: hike leaves at 10:15 sharp.  Please contact leader if you can take a carpooler.

 

Directions: 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 on to Bear Valley Road.  Take Bear Valley Road until the Limantour Beach turn-off and follow the road until the beach.

 

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

April 24, 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.

 

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