Photo: Paul McKown Coastal Medley, Marin County, California Highlights:
Includes:
Trip Number: 09052A Price: $795 Deposit: $100 Capacity: 20 Leader:
The Trip  Photo: Paul McKown This trip features day-hikes though the rolling hills and lush meadows in various parks and open spaces of Marin County, California. Marin County is an anomaly. Just a half an hour’s drive from the traffic and congestion of San Francisco is a land of historic dairy farms, a 2,500 foot mountain, a lagoon where harbor seals lounge on sandbars while egrets and herons feed, and dozens of trails. This trip is for people who love to hike while enjoying skyline views, redwoods, pristine beaches and open spaces dotted with wildflowers. In April, the hills are green and sometimes enveloped in fog. After our hike each day, we will enjoy evening programs on photography, astronomy and conservation. On our hikes of 4 to 6 miles over undulating terrain, we will enjoy the ambiance of the redwoods of Muir Woods National Monument, the beach at Stinson Beach State Park, Point Reyes National Sea-shore, Mt. Tamalpais State Park, as the leaders show you their favorite trails.
 Photo: Paul McKown A sampling of the different areas we’ll visit includes rambling through the redwoods alongside a rushing stream to reach the beach, visiting the Marin Head-lands of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, where we'll snap photos and enjoy scenic vistas across the bay. We'll spend one 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. On an-other day, we’ll hike to the beach. Every day will be filled with activity. Brilliant wildflowers abound in these protected open spaces so be sure to bring your camera! Binoculars will aid in observing migrating birds. All hikes and programs are subject to change, depending on a variety of factors including trail conditions, permits, weather and availability of speakers.
 Photo: Paul McKown We will be based at the rustic and charming private California Alpine Club in Mill Valley, California, tucked into the redwoods by 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. Shower and toilet rooms are separate and have privacy doors. Participants are not allowed to remain at the lodge during the day unless a leader is on the premises. Our chef has planned delicious gourmet meals, including vegetarian options. As is customary on Sierra Club outings, participants will take turns assisting with meal preparation. We will have one night on the town. That evening’s meal will be at your expense ($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. Additional information regarding travel options will be provided to approved participants.
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.
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
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.
General Notes About Sierra Club Trips
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Claudia Hilligoss has been a Sierra club volunteer participating, cooking and leading service trips in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, and in the Midwest since she joined the club in 1992. Her favorite past times: hiking, cross country skiing. photography and watercolor. In the past she served as a local group chair in Northern Kentucky, Fundraising Committee of the Cumberland Chapter and on the Clair Tappaan Lodge Committee. She worked at Clair Tappaan Lodge the winter of 2004 and this will be her fourth year leading trail parties on the Donner Lake Rim Trail. She makes her home part year in Bear Valley CA. The remainder of the year she spends time in Indiana and Kentucky with her family.