Photo: Paul McKown Coastal Medley, Marin County, California Highlights:
Includes:
Trip Number: 08051A Price: $695 Deposit: $100 Capacity: 20 Leader:
The Trip  Photo: Paul McKown Based from a rustic lodge, this trip will feature day-hikes though the rolling hills and lush meadows that comprise the many parks and open spaces of Marin County, just across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. Skyline views, redwoods, pristine beaches, and open spaces dotted with wildflowers are just some of the attractions we will encounter. In April, the hills are green and sometimes enveloped in fog. We will emphasize photography, astronomy, and conservation, especially with our evening programs. On daily 4-6 mile hikes over undulating terrain, we will take in the redwoods of Muir Woods National Monument, the beach at Stinson Beach State Park, an earthquake trail, a Miwok Indian Village at Point Reyes National Seashore, and waterfalls in Mt. Tamalpais State Park, as the leaders show you their favorite paths and trails. Throughout the trip, photographer Paul McKown will offer useful skills to budding photographers, drawing on his experience from more than 30 years of Sierra Club outings. An astronomer will join us one evening with a special telescope. Two evenings of photography instruction and one night with a guest speaker on local conservation issues should keep us busy. All of these activities, however, are optional.
 Photo: Paul McKown Each day we will visit a different area. One day we'll ramble through the redwoods alongside a rushing stream to reach the beach. On another, we'll visit the Marin Headlands of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, where we'll snap photos, take a private tour of the lighthouse, see the visitors' center, spend time with the ranger, and hike for the rest of the day. On a very picturesque day, we'll follow a ridge trail through a glorious wildflower preserve with outstanding views of Marin and San Francisco. We'll also spend a day at Point Reyes National Seashore, poking around the visitor center, perhaps walking through an Indian village and along an earthquake trail, picnicking, and hiking. Every day will be filled with activity. Brilliant wildflowers abound in this protected open space -- be sure to bring your camera! Binoculars will also be handy for observing migrating birds.
 Photo: Paul McKown We will be based at a rustic and charming private lodge in Mill Valley, California, tucked into the redwoods and adjacent to Mt. Tamalpais State Park. Perched on a scenic ridge, we'll enjoy privacy as well as proximity to many trails. The lodge boasts a large stone fireplace in a comfortable living room. We will dine in either a glassed-in porch or outside on a large deck. Each bedroom has 4-6 beds; a few private bedrooms are available for couples or families, but bathrooms are shared with other trip participants. Shower and toilet rooms are separate and have privacy doors. Our chef has planned delicious gourmet meals, including vegetarian options. As is customary on Sierra Club outings, participants will take turns assisting with the meal preparations. We will have one night on the town (set aside $30-40). All other meals will be included, starting with dinner on day one and ending with breakfast and a brown-bag lunch on the final day. Travel to and from the lodge is the responsibility of each participant. Please see the carpool policy below.
The ability to hike vigorously 4-6 miles a day for five days is essential for your enjoyment -- not to mention the group's. Elevation gains of 500-700 feet will be typical on the area's undulating trails. We will visit historic and informational sites as we hike.
Weather is often lovely in April. Dressing in layers works well when in the San Francisco Bay Area. Your day pack must be large enough to hold lunch, water, and a warm, waterproof jacket. Conservation We will discuss urban sprawl, limited growth, the importance of open space, San Francisco Bay wetlands preservation, and the local issues in your area that you might share with the group. We will have a guest speaker who specializes in Bay Area conservation issues.
See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy. The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.
Leader:
General Notes About Sierra Club Trips
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Mary Jane McKown has been leading Sierra Club trips for 10 years. She has led lodge-based trips. She has also led trips to Southern Africa and Hawaii. Traveling is her passion and she continues to be challenged by learning and by new adventures, especially in the natural world and ideally during hikes. Mary finds that being an avid amateur naturalist is both fun and helpful.
Aurora Roberts is an avid hiker who enjoys walking and exploring the outdoors. As she started noticing the destruction of forests and pollution of the environment, she saw the need to preserve them, which naturally led her to join the Sierra Club. Aurora became an Outings leader after participating in national and international outings. She leads international trips to destinations including Australia, New Zealand, and Scotland as well as National Outings in the Sierra Mountains. She spends a lot of her time reading, preparing gourmet meals and walking her dog. Her attention to detail, patience, and flexibility will ensure that you have a wonderful experience.
Susan Barkan has been a Sierra Club member for more than 30 years and has hiked extensively in the Sierra, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Europe.