Hike, Bike, and Kayak in Marin County, California

The Trip

If you like versatility in outdoor exercise and exploring new places, you'll enjoy this outdoor adventurer’s must-do trip! Join us for a full week of fun-filled activities as we explore Marin County. We’ll hike among the redwoods, observe the ocean, kayak estuaries of Point Reyes National Seashore, and bike around scenic Angel Island. As we experience the great outdoors through a variety of physical activities, we will hear and see more of what nature has to offer up close and personal while leaving a minimal carbon footprint.

We will learn a great deal about the ecosystems around this particular area, and have informed discussions at the end of each day. We will retire to our lodging for vegetarian-friendly meals and conversation with our newfound friends. In the evenings we can watch the stars appear as the sun sets, and prepare for our next day of active adventures.

Day 1: We gather in Sausalito, California at a meeting point that will be discussed in pre-trip communication once you are accepted for the trip.

We tour the Marine Mammal Center to learn more about the endangered animals, and how Point Reyes National Seashore rehabilitates them prior to releasing them back into the wild. It is a fabulous learning experience. Then we transfer to our first night's stay, have dinner, and (if time permits) enjoy a short visit to the famous Muir Woods before dark!

Day 2: Today we explore parts of Marin County and Angel Island via ferry and bicycle. Short bike distance of 6 miles. Hills are included, but limited. We will stop at a scenic spot along our route for a picnic lunch. Then we transfer to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Bay Model for an overview of the geological formation of the areas around Marin County. Afterward we return to our lodging for dinner.

Day 3: Today in Point Reyes National Seashore, we do an undulating scenic loop hike. We take in a vast variety of scenery along the 10-11 miles of trails with 1,300 feet of elevation gain in the first half of the hike. We will enjoy our lunch along the route. A long gradual decline in shady trees back to our starting point. Then we have a filling dinner and call it a day!

Day 4: This is our project service day in the National Seashore. After seeing and learning about the area, it is a day to give back to it! While we rest and recover, we assist in moderate to light activities. This may include pulling small invasive plants, planting seeds with the Nursery, or doing a short office project that utilizes your organizational skills. Each project is determined by the NPS closer to the trip dates and based on the needs of the park during our stay. The evening a guest speaker will acquaint the group with Point Reyes and the surrounding area and discusses environmental impacts facing the National Seashore. 

Day 5: It’s an early morning breakfast today and then we meet our guide for a kayaking adventure on Tomales Bay, with possible views of Tule elk, sea otters, eagles, and more! Afterward, we enjoy a tasty dinner before transferring back to our comfortable lodging.

Day 6: We will enjoy beautiful scenic views, a lighthouse, all within 3.2 miles of hiking! Today we do more observing, looking, and learning about flora and fauna and this area's present and past. We will also see the Marine Wildlife station we learned about earlier in the week.

Day 7: On our last morning we’ll enjoy a healthy and filling breakfast together. Then we head to the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge vista point for some great group photos. We then transfer to the appointed final drop-off location for your travel home or to your next destination.

Getting There

San Francisco (SFO) is the nearest airport. Participants are responsible for transportation to Sausalito and the return home. Using the Marin Airporter service can enable you to leave and return to the airport without having to rent a vehicle for the duration of our adventure. Upon acceptance to the trip, you will be advised of the meeting point and provided additional information. Carpooling is also a necessary option.

Accommodations and Food

We will be staying in a couple of different cozy accommodations throughout the week. Affordable lodging offers, the Marin Headlands Historic Hostel and the newly renovated Point Reyes Hostel, which is another quaint lodge for our group!

We will provide tasty, hearty meals daily. Meals will be plentiful and always contain vegetarian dishes. Meat will be served at least once a day. We will have a variety of hot and cold delicious and nutritious foods in addition to small snacks throughout the week. 

Trip Difficulty

Hiking, biking, and kayaking by definition can be strenuous activities, but they are activities that many people can do. Overall, the week's activities are on a Moderate 3 level. The ability to hike vigorously 6 to 12 miles and bike 6 to 15 miles with little elevation gain is essential for you and your fellow travelers' enjoyment. Moderate day hikes will include ascending and descending stairs, walking on rocks and uneven terrain, and possibly having some wet feet. Closed-toe, well-broken-in hiking shoes are strongly recommended. Bike routes will be bike paths on an island. Kayaks will be tandem, with a guide. We paddle only in the bay. We do not paddle in open ocean waters. Training is encouraged for all activities, but rest stops are plentiful as long as weather permits!

Equipment and Clothing

Dressing appropriately for the daily activity and weather conditions will make or break your spirits on a trip. Lodging at Point Reyes may have chilly mornings so please bring some comfortable warm clothing. Dressing in layers is the best method. A marine layer or fog is common and can create chilling conditions. A detailed packing list will be provided upon approval for the trip.

References

Books: 

• Ashley, Beth and Philip Marin Munz, Introduction to Shore Wildflowers.

Maps:

• Harrison, Tom, Trail Map of Pt. Reyes National Seashore.
• Olmstead, Gerald, Trails of Mt. Tamalpais and The Marin Headlands.
• Harrison, Tom, Mt. Tamalpais, Trail Map.

Websites: 

• Marin Headlands: http//www.nps./goga/marin-headlands/
• Pt. Reyes: http://www.nps gov/pore/
• Mt Tamalpais: http://www.nps.gov/muwo/

Conservation

Your volunteer leaders have a long term dedication to the Sierra Club Mission — “to explore, enjoy and protect the wild places of the Earth.” They hope to impart to you some of their love for this area and for the work of the Sierra Club. They believe that the Sierra Club’s outings program provides an excellent opportunity for members to enjoy the fruits of past conservation victories and to learn about current concerns. During this trip we plan to have a park service ranger join us to speak about the monitoring of eel grass taking place in Tomales Bay. We also plan to have a speaker who will share information about creating a fire-resistant environment for California after the state’s experience in 2017. Other topics may include water conservation and the effects on the environment the National Park Service has seen as a result of global climate change in the last decade.

Because of its natural beauty and proximity to a densely populated urban area, West Marin is a popular destination. Much has been lost to the development since the gold rush days, but much has been saved—primarily due to the heroic efforts of individuals and local environmental organizations. Marin County is a shining example. More than 60% of its land is protected in public ownership and easements through national parks, state parks, watershed, county open space, and land trusts.

We learn and practice the seven principles of Leave no Trace to minimize our impact whenever we choose to explore nature. We will model conservation and minimal use of disposable products. We ask that you bring reusable sandwich/lunch containers and a reusable water bottle. Since any travel leaves a carbon footprint, check out the information the Sierra Club offers about carbon offset at: http://content.sierraclub.org/outings/carbon-offsets/.

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal-opportunity provider and when applicable will operate under permits obtained from U.S. federal land agencies.