Bay Area Ridge Trail (RT) & More

Happy (delayed) New Year, Bay Area Ridge Trail (RT) & More Members!

This is, I believe, our 6th annual New Years hike (5th at Taylor) -
The weather was bleak on New Years Day, but looks great for this Saturday.
Let’s restart the new year, once again. Saturday's weather looks mostly clear with temps in low 40's at start time, to the low 50's as we progress. It could still be a bit muddy by the weekend, but the trail should dry out some throughout this week.

I’ve borrowed the same route as last New Year's Day, once again – more trees, less access road, along the initial part. This outing will cover a portion of the Bay Area Ridge Trail, up on Bolinas Ridge. It tends to be wet along portions of the ridgeline, especially after a rainy week - waterproof hiking boots/shoes will help. Everyone seems to manage each year, either way.

Let’s meet by 10:00, or as early as needed to secure parking. There is an $8.00 day fee. We’ll begin hiking at 10:15 AM, finishing around 3:30, plus or minus. We’ll meet near the restrooms between the Azalea and Redwood Grove picnic areas, just past the far end of the parking lot. Carpooling is encouraged.

Park Address: 8889 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Lagunitas, CA 94938

GPS coordinates: 38.01944983933834, -122.72964762080497

Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Samuel+P+Taylor+State+Park+Entrance/@38.0185444,-122.7307153,609m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x8085c08976ac64cd:0x7bf63739a137a2ae!2s5+Taylor+Park+Rd,+Lagunitas,+CA+94938!3b1!8m2!3d38.0194248!4d-122.7340432!3m4!1s0x8085c1281ff65cf9:0xe81897343d682386!8m2!3d38.0193159!4d-122.7296106

The address is a little tricky to find, especially if your cell coverage is weak; aside from the coordinates noted above, perhaps the best way to not miss the turn off is to check your odometer from what will be our post-hike venue, Artie Natural Indian Café. It is 2.6 miles from there along Sir Francis Drake, headed away from Fairfax. The turn off for the parking is on the left:

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/''/Samuel+P+Taylor+State+Park+Entrance,+Samuel+P+Taylor+State+Park,+Sir+Francis+Drake+Blvd,+%26,+CA+94938/@38.0136799,-122.7290934,15.08z/data=!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x8085bf93fe72f6b7:0xf02e41aab4da2c57!2m2!1d-122.7014958!2d38.0127109!1m5!1m1!1s0x8085c1281ff65cf9:0xe81897343d682386!2m2!1d-122.7296106!2d38.0193159

See also top right inset map on the 4th page, here:
https://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/469/files/SamuelPTaylorFinalWebLayout2018.pdf

From the restrooms, we’ll swing around and cross the bridge over the Lagunitas Creek, hiking clockwise along the mapped route. We’ll turn off the Cross Marin Trail onto the Pioneer Tree Trail for a very nice wooded section, until it rejoins the Cross Marin Trail. After crossing to the other side of Sir Francis Drake and then the San Geronimo Creek, we’ll cross the bridge and the road again, passing by the Cronin Fish Viewing Area (where we may see some salmon – there were a few, on last year’s hike).

From Cronin, we’ll head up Shafter Grade, our only notable climb for the day. From there well head to Bolinas Ridge, Jewell, Cross Marin Trail, South Creek Trail, and Cross Marin again back to our cars. Last year, there were a some salmon putting on a show near the bridge back to our cars, as well as at Cronin..

I may opt to do this route in reverse direction, depending on the group. Most of the elevation is one hill after the Cronin area. That would send us down the one major hill instead of up.

Route: AllTrails –
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-december-26-2022-ad80947?u=i

The actual mileage and elevation from the last couple of years are posted in the outing title -- AllTrails tends to be off from the original mappings.

Dress accordingly, including layering as needed. Bring sunblock, 2 liters of water or as needed, and snacks/lunch. Lunch break will be at roughly the mid-point, along Bolinas Ridge. I will have my usual treats to share. There is a rock outcropping we stopped at each year, with a picnic table and with some trees not far behind (read: natural restroom).

We will hike at about 2.5 mi/hr pace. Again, be sure to wear sturdy boots, and consider bringing poles, as some mud is likely.

Weather forecast: https://www.wunderground.com/forecast/us/ca/lagunitas

Post-hike food and adult beverage:
Arti Natural Organic Indian Café -- 7282 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Lagunitas-Forest Knolls. Great food, and open on New Years Day!