For the Summer CNPS hikes, please come prepared for any type of weather or conditions, dress in layers and bring wind protection, just in case. Although it may be sunny and warm when you leave home, the weather in West Marin could be cold and foggy. Please be prepared. Bring lunch and plenty of water, binoculars and/or hand lenses and your favorite field guides. For further information, call Joe Kohn (415-459-0231).
"2008 was the driest Spring in Marin's history, so it's safe to assume that wildflower season will be short and sweet, and over by early summer.
In light of that, we'll be slowing down our hiking pace this summer, and I'd like to urge everyone to
consider other outings in the Bay Area as well." - Joe Kohn
Sunday, June 29 10 a.m. The Rare Plants of Bull Point
As June turns into July at Bull Point on Pt Reyes, what looks to most like just another cow pasture turns into Rare Plant Central!! There's the fragrant and rare Horkelia marinensis which, on a warm day, will scent the air like honey perfume. There's rare Linanthus as far as the eye can see. And then there's rare orchids and lilies!
To get to Bull Point, take Sir Francis Drake Blvd west, past the town of Inverness, and at the fork in the road several miles past Inverness, follow the sign towards the Pt Reyes Lighthouse. Bull Point is a few miles from the fork in the road, about a mile or so past the Drakes Bay Oyster Farm.
Sunday, July 6 10 a.m. Tilden Botanic Garden
In Summer, it's Spring in the Sierra, and if you can't get to the mountains, don't worry, the mountains will come to you. More specifically, to the Siskyous and Sierra sections of the beautiful Tilden Botanic Garden in Berkeley. To word that another way, when the heat of Summer has baked the Bay Area hills, it's still green and gorgeous at the Tilden Botanic Garden.
To get there from Marin, take the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, and exit 580 at the Albany/Buchanan Street left exit. Take a left on Buchanan, and it will merge with Marin Avenue. Follow Marin Ave east for 1.5 miles to the traffic roundabout. Go halfway around the roundabout and continue up Marin Ave. Turn right on Grizzly Peak Blvd and continue for 1.2 miles to Shasta Road, on the left. Turn left on Shasta Road, follow it downhill for 0.4 mile (follow the sign to "All Other Facilities"), and merge right onto Wildcat Canyon Road. Continue for 0.1 mile to the Botanic Garden parking lot on the right.
Sunday, July 20 10 a.m. Strybing Arboretum, Golden Gate Park
At this time of year, when the hills have long since turned brown and the last of the wildflowers have gone to seed, the San Francisco Botanical Garden is a beautiful tableau of botanical color, with flowering trees, shrubs and flowers from around the world.
The Strybing Arboretum is located at 9th and Lincoln Way, in Golden Gate Park. Parking will not be an issue on Sunday. We will meet at the Main Entrance, which is the entrance closest to the Sunset District. Admission is free and parking is free.
Sunday, August 3 10 a.m. - Tomales Bay State Park Jepson/Johnstone Loop
Tomales Bay State Park is slated for closure under our Governor's proposed budget, so let's visit it while we still can. During late Summer, this trail comes alive with the fruits of fall. We'll eat Huckleberries, marvel at the fruit on the California Honeysuckle, search for the CNPS Listed 1B Campanula californica (Swamp hairbell), and have lunch at a beautiful secluded beach.
Take Sir Francis Drake Blvd west through Marin, several miles past Inverness. At the fork in the road, bear Right and go about a mile. Meet at the (unsigned) small parking area at the top of the Jepson Trail. If you reach the entrance to Tomales Bay State Park, turn around and go back 100-200 yards.
Sunday August 17 10 a.m. Deer Park, Fairfax
Whether it's Spring or Summer, Winter or Fall, the trails that start at Deer Park School are among some of the loveliest in all of Marin County. In fact, the man who wrote the definitive guide to Marin County Trails (Barry Spitz) calls the Yolanda Trail the best hike in Marin. And, who can argue? It really is lovely. There are generally late season flowers still blooming in August.
To get to Deer Park School, go out the Fairfax-Bolinas Road from downtown Fairfax, and just before it starts to twist and turn, make a left on Porteus Drive and take that all the way to the end, where you'll find a parking lot for the school.
David Herlocker's MCOSD Naturalist Outings
Broaden your horizons with David Herlocker of the Marin County Open Space District, as his 2-3 walks each week have a
much more general focus on nature, and he can teach you all about birds, insects, trees, snakes, birds, you-name-it
and David knows something about it.
Merritt College Classes
Alternately, noted Botanist Glenn Keator offers 8 weekday hikes during the month of July in his "California Native Plant Habitats" course at Merritt College. This course meets at 8 different parks around the Bay Area, so that you'll get to hike, and learn from the expert, in as many different native habitats imaginable. And don't worry; there are no tests and no meetings are held in college classrooms. And the low cost is only $40 for all 8 hikes. Such a deal!
Additionally, if you like to rough it and camp out (and laugh a lot), please consider signing up for Stew Winchester's "Alpine Labs" course at Merritt College. There are botanically oriented trips planned in July to the Ruby Mountains and to the Siskyous, and for the more adventurous, backpacking trips as well. The cost for this class is $20, plus $20 in expenses for each trip. If you sign up early enough, you'll get a seat in the school van on at least one trip, and the State of California will even pay for the gas.
For additional information, access the
online catalog for Merritt College
Once there, click on "Class Schedule Summer/Fall 2008." Then choose the
option to "Search For Classes" and then choose "Landscape Horticulture"
from the pop-up menu.