December
hikes
Always bring lunch and water. Consider layered clothing, sunscreen and hiking poles.
Canine hikers should also bring leashes, litter bags, and water for their dogs.
Dec 3 Wed 3C hike
Mount Tamalpais. A moderately paced hike on southside trails. Meet: 9 am at Miller and Locust in Mill Valley (at the bus stop).
Milt Hagedorn (415)388-1625
Dec 4 Thu 1A hike Cosponsor: Marin Group
Laurel Dell. An easy half-day hike from Rock Spring to Laurel Dell. Bring a snack. Back by 1:30 pm. Rain cancels. Meet: 9:30 am at Miller and Locust in Mill Valley (at the bus stop) for carpools.
Richard Watson (415)461-9255 or rgwatson[at]pacbell.net
Dec 6 Sat 1A hike
Inner Sunset to Lyon Street stairs. A one-way inner city hike with interesting stops along the way. Rain cancels. Meet: 10 am at 9th and Irving Streets, northeast corner. Directions: take N-Judah or 44 Muni ($1.50/50c).
Gloria Navarra (415)731-6144
Dec 6 Sat 2B hike
San Bruno Mountain. Explore San Bruno Mountain with San Bruno Mountain Watch, a group dedicated to protecting the Mountain and its rare plants and endangered Mission Blue, Elfin, and Silverspot butterflies. Bring: wind/sun protection. Wear sturdy shoes and long pants. Meet: 10 am at the San Bruno Mountain Watch office, 44 Visitacion Avenue, Brisbane. Directions: drivers take Bayshore Boulevard to Old County Road, main entrance to Brisbane. Pass city park, and go straight up Visitacion. Or take #292 SamTrans bus, departing 9:12 from Transbay Terminal; five minute walk to meeting place. Call SamTrans at (800)660-4287 for northbound bus information. Cost: $2 voluntary donation; no one turned away.
David Schooley and Ken McIntire (415)467-6631 or sanbruno[at]mountainwatch.org
Dec 6 Sat 3C hike
Rocky Point Beach. Climb the Dipsea steps and hike the Dipsea Trail over Cardiac Hill. Descend to Steep Ravine Cabins and Rocky Point Beach for lunch. Enjoy spectacular ocean views. Return by Steep Ravine and overland route. Moderate pace. 14 miles with 3,000' elevation gain. Return by 4 pm. Heavy rain cancels. Meet: 9 am sharp departure from Old Mill Park in Mill Valley. Directions: drive west on Blithedale Avenue off Highway 101 and continue west to Mill Valley. Turn left on Throckmorton and continue through town to intersection of Throckmorton and Cascade Drive. Parallel park along street.
Katie and Brad Christie (510)402-8092 or adventure[at]bradchristie.com (preferred)
Dec 7 Sun 2A hike
Berkeley hills and architecture. A walk featuring hidden parks, plus houses designed by Bernard Maybeck. Return to start by 5 pm. Rain cancels. Bring: $ for optional post-hike pizza. Meet: 11 am at Euclid and Bayview (near Berkeley Rose Garden). Directions: by car, exit I-80 at University Ave. Go east on University to Oxford and turn left. At Hearst, turn right. Then, at Euclid, turn left. Follow Euclid to Bayview. By BART, get off at Berkeley BART, walk north to University Ave. and then walk to Bayview and Euclid as above (a 30 to 40 minute walk, minimum).
Guy Mayes (510)522-1590
Dec 7 Sun 2B hike Cosponsor: Marin Group
33rd annual Angel Island hike and picnic. A moderate hike over and around Angel Island with a potluck beach picnic. Spectacular views of all the Bay. We go to the top of Mount Livermore, and then have lunch on the beach so bring liquids and a great potluck dish for six hikers to share. Back by 4 pm. Rain cancels. Meet: 9:45 am at the Angel Island ferry dock in Tiburon. Cost: Angel Island Ferry $13.50.
Richard Watson (415)461-9255 or rgwatson[at]pacbell.net
Dec 10 Wed 2B hike
Brisk morning hike. A 3-4 hour hike on northside trails looking for Fungus Amongus and newts. Torrential conditions cancel, but rain enhances. Meet: 9 am at Fairfax Parkade (across from Fairfax Theater).
Jayah Faye Paley (415)699-3333 or jayah[at]adventurebuddies.net
Dec 10 Wed 3B hike
Mount Tamalpais. A nice hike on southside trails. Meet: 9:30 am at Mountain Home on Panoramic Highway.
Judy Sager (415)472-1275 or pjsager[at]sbcglobal.net
Dec 11 Thu 1A hike Cosponsor: Marin Group
The Dipsea and Muir Woods. An easy/moderate hike on the Dipsea Trail and through Muir Woods. Bring a snack. Back by 1:30 pm. Rain cancels. Meet: 9:30 am and/or 6 pm at Miller and Locust in Mill Valley (at bus stop).
Richard Watson (415)461-9255 or rgwatson[at]pacbell.net
Dec 13 Sat 2B canine hike
Tilden Park canine hike. Join Linda, Randall, Frolic and Breeze on a moderate loop, including the Seaview Trail. Return to cars around 1 pm with no lunch stop, but time for a quick snack. Dogless people welcome. Rain cancels. Meet: 10 am at the steam trains upper overflow lot. Directions: South Park Drive will be closed for newt crossing. For information check: www.ebparks.org.
Linda Wilford and Randall Ham (415)566-7070
Dec 13 Sat 4C hike
Inverness to Bear Valley. A moderately paced, scenic one-way hike with bus transfer. Meet: 8:55 am at Bear Valley visitor's center, Point Reyes National Seashore. Be on time and ready to hike so that we won't miss the bus. Cost: $2 bus fare.
David Armstrong (415)584-6650 (8-9 pm only) or darmstrong99[at]yahoo.com (preferred)
Dec 14 Sun 2B hike
Cascade Canyon/White Hill. Hike up Cascade Canyon to San Geronimo Ridge over to White Hill and its spectacular 360 degree views of the Bay Area. Enjoy Cascade Falls, open grasslands and plenty of views of this 8-9 mile hike. Pace is moderate-to-brisk and rain cancels. Meet: 9 am at Fairfax Parkade (across from Fairfax Theater).
Thomas Post (415)391-2409 or tpost123[at]hotmail.com
Dec 14 Sun 3B hike
Berkeley Hills loop. Take a break from your Christmas shopping and join us on an interesting loop in the Berkeley Hills. Steady, moderate pace. Steep in spots; good-gripping shoes or boots recommended. Light rain shortens, heavy rain cancels. Meet: 10:30 am at Oxford and University, southeast corner (2 blocks from BART). Return to downtown Berkeley approximately 5:30.
Bob Solotar (510)525-2110 or bob_solotar[at]hotmail.com
Dec 17 Wed 2B hike
An adventurous romp. A moderately paced, 2B hike to beautiful, less-traveled places, and certain to include some rugged terrain. Back by 3 pm. Meet: 9:30 am at Fairfax Parkade (across from Fairfax Theater).
Judy Hall (415)457-8730
Dec 17 Wed 3C hike
Mount Tamalpais. A moderately paced full 3C hike around the mountain. Meet: 8:45 am at Miller and Locust in Mill valley (by the bus stop).
Bill Mayers (415)785-3516 or whmayers[at]aol.com
Dec 18 Thu 2A hike Cosponsor: Marin Group
Deer Park. A moderate and beautiful hike from Deer Park towards Phoenix Lakes. Bring a small snack. Back by 1:30 pm. Rain cancels. Meet: 9:30 am at Fairfax Parkade (opposite Fairfax Theater) for carpools.
Richard Watson (415)461-9255 or rgwatson[at]pacbell.net
Dec 19 Fri 2B hike
Mount Tamalpais. A steady, moderate paced hike, slower uphill, and stopping for views. Rain may shorten, but not cancel. Return about 2-3 pm. Meet: 9 am at Miller and Locust in Mill Valley (at the bus stop).
Sandra Zwemmer (925)370-1830
Dec 20 Sat 2B hike
Mount Tamalpais Potluck and Hike. A moderately paced full 2B hike on some small challenging trails, to meet friends for a joint potluck. Rain changes destination. Bring: food and/or drink to share with 5-6 others. Meet: 9:30 am at Fairfax Parkade (across from Fairfax Theater). Cost: $7 per car or annual pass.
Judy Hall (415)457-8730
Dec 20 Sat 2B hike
Ohlone (Siplichiquin) Village Sites. A visit to Indian shellmounds: life-in-place along the Bayside ridges with San Bruno Mountain Watch. A hike through 5000 years of human presence and the intricate balance of the original San Francisco Bay people; native plants to crystals to grizzly bears. Bring: wind/sun protection. Wear sturdy shoes and long pants. Meet: 10 am at the San Bruno Mountain Watch office, 44 Visitacion Avenue, Brisbane. Directions: drivers take Bayshore Boulevard to Old County Road, main entrance to Brisbane. Pass city park, and go straight up Visitacion. Or take #292 SamTrans bus, departing 9:12 from Transbay Terminal; five minute walk to meeting place. Call SamTrans at (800)660-4287 for northbound bus information. Cost: $2 voluntary donation; no one turned away.
David Schooley and Ken McIntire (415)467-6631 or sanbruno[at]mountainwatch.org
Dec 20 Sat 3C hike
Winter solstice potluck. On our annual winter solstice potluck we attempt to turn the sun around in a northerly direction. Bring: a dish to share at lunch. Leaders will supply plates, utensils and a tablecloth. Meet: 9 am at Mountain Home on Panoramic Highway.
Judy and Pete Sager (415)472-1275 or pjsager[at]sbcglobal.net
Dec 21 Sun 2B hike Cosponsor: Marin Group
Drake's Estero. An “Almost Christmas” hike so everyone bring a small gift for another hiker. A most charming and moderately paced tour of beautiful Drake's Estero area on Point Reyes. Back about 5 pm. Rain cancels. Meet: 9:30 am at Fairfax Parkade (opposite Fairfax Theater) for carpools.
Richard Watson (415)461-9255 or rgwatson[at]pacbell.net
Dec 25 Thu 3C hike
Christmas adventure. Enjoy this Christmas hike on beautiful trails at a moderate pace. Return by 4:30 pm. Meet: 9:30 am at Mountain Home on Panoramic Highway.
Brian Chan (415)861-8956