You Mon Tsang November 5th, 2008
After a big day of eating turkey and hanging out with the family, it’s time to flex your arms and legs and work off the second helping of stuffing! Head out to Point Reyes. Here are some great things to do:
Point Reyes 2008 Thanksgiving Open Studios Map
You Mon Tsang March 14th, 2008
As readers of this blog know, I enjoy visiting Audubon Canyon Ranch (see previous post).
Well, the ranch is open for visitors until mid-summer.
Here’s what they say:
Bring a picnic and hike the 8 miles of trails.
Donations appreciated.
Open weekends and holidays: 10 am – 4 pm
Tuesday through Friday by appointment only
Here’s the ranch on the map. Go and enjoy an afternoon.
View Larger Map
You Mon Tsang February 5th, 2008
Gregory Dicum and his wife took three days hiking from Olema to San Francisco, taking in the wonderful landscape and staying / eating in some of West Marin’s classic joints. Their trip took them on the Bolinas Ridge and the Coastal Trail to Stinson. Then up the Dipsea Trail to Mt Tam and back down to Muir Beach. Finally, they found their way back over the Golden Gate Bridge. The journey sounded perfect.
As Gregory writes,
people we met found our ramble enchanting: many who know these trails well had not considered linking them together, and surprisingly few take multiday walks there.
He is right; I didn’t think of it. But now I have it on my list of adventures to do in West Marin.
Read the entire article…
You Mon Tsang September 27th, 2007
facing off by artolog
Every season, there is something unqiue to do at Point Reyes. In the early fall, it is the tule elk rutting (mating) season.
The rutting, best seen along Pierce Point Road and out on Tomales Point, can be a terrific sight as males bugle (a high-pitched cry from the males) and battle each other to form their “harems.”
I’ve seen the dominant male with two dozen females close around him, while other males guard their sad, female-less patches of land from afar.
As of late Sept, the Park HQ says that the rutting season should last until late October and that the elk are most active in the late afternoon.
Bring a pair of binoculars!
Here are some great resources on tule elk elsewhere on the Web…
You Mon Tsang June 21st, 2007
Only on the busiest beaches on the busiest holidays on gorgeous days does Point Reyes feel crowded. But if you really want to get away from it all and explore the unspoiled coasts of Point Reyes, you will have to read the article and terrific audio slideshow from the Marin Independent Journal.
Rick Polito of the MarinIJ chronicles his 15-mile hike from the Palomarin trailhead to Limantour Beach:
People have always been a part of Marin’s Lost Coast, but the equation has consistently tilted away from humanity’s crush. The Miwok came here, but only seasonally, to collect horseneck clams and moon snails, gather mussels where the creeks meet the sea. The steep ridges separated the area from much of the dairy activity in Olema Valley.
Photo from Marin Independent Journal
I have only hiked part of this 15-mile stretch but I can attest that it is a terrific way to see the most unspoiled parts of the coast.
Notes:
Hiking
Beach
You Mon Tsang June 6th, 2007
Twice already this year, we have taken trips to Audubon Canyon Ranch. In the mix were boys between the ages of 6 and 8. During the spring and summer seasons, the highlight is watching the snowy egrets and great blue herons nest high up in the trees.
Photo by Michael Harrold
The birds are a beautiful sight: impossibly white against the lush green. They swoop from their nests every so often and it is a wonder that these gangly creatures can fly.
Later in the season (July if I remember from last year), the chicks also attempt to take flight.
The preserve is well run, with well-marked paths, places to picnic, lots of friendly and knowledgeable volunteer docents, and several well-equipped lookouts.
Photo by Michael Harrold
Photo by Michael Fitzhugh
The boys really enjoyed the ponds, where they can take nets and fish newts, tadpoles and bugs out of the pond water into buckets where they can take a closer look. The hunter instinct is strong in boys; they could have stayed at the ponds for hours.
Photo by Michael Harrold
Photo by Michael Harrold
For those interested in birds, a nice quiet hike or have some kids to distract, this is a recommended stop in West Marin.
Map of Location | Web Site for Audubon Canyon Ranch
Notes:
Good for Kids
Birding
Hiking
Hands-On
No Fee, but Donation Request
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