5th Spirit Walk on for Saturday, January 12th

5th Spirit Walk Coming Up on Saturday, January 12th

The last and most difficult outing in the Spirit Walks series will occur on Saturday January 12th. It will follow the Cataract Gulch Trail in the Mt. Tamalpais watershed from Alpine Lake to Laurel Dell, then follow the trail to Rock Springs. We will return to Laurel Dell via the Simmons and Mickey O'Brien Trails, then retrace our steps down the Cataract Gulch.

The steep ascent involves climbing almost 400 steps; the roundtrip hike is about 5.5 miles in length and will take approximately 4 hours. Hikers will meet at 10 am.

Hikers are advised to bring appropriate, layered clothing, sturdy boots, water and a lunch. Heavy rain will cancel a hike, which will be rescheduled. Each hike is limited to 25 participants and will be by reservation only. The hikes are free. However, following each hike, participants will have the opportunity to make a donation to a local land conservation organization.

Sonoma hikers who wish to car pool will meet at the Sonoma Methodist Church on Patton St. at 9:15 am. In Marin we will rendezvous at the west parking lot of the former Lucky Market in Fairfax, between Sir Francis Drake Blvd and Center St. at 10 am. Look for the Java Hut coffee stop. Hikers coming from the coast may wish to join us at the Alpine Dam on the Fairfax-Bolinas Road at about 10:30 am. For other hike details or to register, call 707-939-8402.

Hacker has spent many years exploring the Mt Tamalpais watershed, Pt Reyes and the parks and open space lands of Sonoma County. “Each hike has a gift to offer,” Hacker said of the Spirit Walks. “I want to share them now with people who will enjoy taking some time apart from their busy lives to experience the peace and harmony of nature.”

This series of hikes will continue indefinitely if there is sufficient interest.


END

Recap of 4th Hike - Saturday, 12/29 - Pt Reyes

An intrepid group of ten hikers braved thick fog and drizzle to take the 4th Spirit Walk at Pt Reyes National Seashore. We met at the Bear Valley Visitor's Center parking lot at 10 am. Leaving some cars there, we shuttled over to Limatour Beach, left a few cars there, and then returned to the Sky Trail parking lot where the hike began. During the long uphill trek to Sky Camp the fog thickened. The hike along the Innverness Ridge through old growth forest was magical. Fog partially obscured the trees creating a serene landscape worthy of a Japanese print. The fog also dampened sound. All was quiet, shrouded, mystical. We turned onto the Woodward Trail and wound our way through dense forest. The grass beneath was a lush, psychedelic green. As we emerged on the open hills we saw three chalk-white Fallow deer across the way on a hillside. We descended to the Coast Trail and followed it north to Coast Camp where we had lunch. A raucus group of sparrows and Towhees gathered around us. Proceeding on we left the Coast Trail as it bends to the right to go up the ravine to the Youth Hostel. We turned left and walked along the beach, returning to the Limatour parking lot about 3 pm. We shuttled back up the hill to Sky Trail parking lot and parted company, a somewhat damp and weary group, but in high spirits after a very special hike under special conditons. The entire hike was about 7.5 miles and lasted about 4 hours.