Novato Skatepark, Bel Marin Keys - April 16, 2014

Walking Distance: 4.5 miles (estimate)
Walking Time: 2 hrs., 12 min. (4:49 - 7:01 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Novato Skatepark parking lot, Novato, CA

Today's walk was a mix of sidewalks, packed dirt trails, smaller "goat trails" and road shoulders.

From the Novato Skatepark parking lot (1200 Hamilton Parkway), I walked southeast on Hamilton Parkway on the sidewalk, and made a left onto a trail that paralleled Aberdeen Road, that forked to the right and left. After exploring the right fork and returning, and then the left fork, I found the connection to a trail that would lead to the Bay Trail that would lead north-ish toward Bel Marin Keys.

Walking through the old Hamilton Air Force Base, you'd hardly know there was a base there back in the 1970s, until you start seeing no trespassing signs, and old bunkers and cement walls poking through the grass amongst grass covered hummocks and a smattering of trees and brush.

Soon enough I was passing marshes and enjoying a new section of Bay Trail. I followed trails that headed northwest to Bel Marin and took a left toward toward Bel Marin Keys and Pacheco Pond.

This led to a narrow, unimproved path that popped out on the other side onto Bel Marin Keys Blvd. From there I headed left (westish) and passed by Pacheco Pond on my left side. It was late in the day, and I enjoyed watching a swam glide by in the distance and the evening colors being picked up by the reeds, water and trees.

I continued (west) on the side of the road up Bel Marin Keys Blvd., until I reached a commercial, light industrial area where sidewalks began to appear. As I got closer to Highway 101, the road began to turn west and south.

Closer to the highway, I went down a flight of cement stairs and followed a railroad right-of-way path for a bit before reaching a large shopping center (Hamilton Marketplace, 5800 Nave Drive, Novato, CA.

After traversing the shopping center and Safeway parking lots, I took a left onto Hamilton Parkway, passed the Marriott Courtyard Novato hotel, crossed the railroad tracks, and made my way back to the Skatepark.

Restrooms are not glamorous, but they are an essential amenity for long, urban hikes. The freshly graffiti-ed portable restroom at the Skatepark was just what I imagined it would be. But, better having one here than nothing.

Wildlife Sightings:
11 ducks; 22 red-winged blackbirds; 5 lizards; 9 little brown jobs (LBJs) + 2 rosy finches; 1 California Thrasher (pretty, medium-larger sized drab olive - golden green songbird); 1 black-necked stilt going after 2 grebes (too close to nesting area?); 2 grebes; 3 starlings; 1 turkey vulture; 38 swallows (both types); 7 Canada geese; 1 white swan in Pacheco Pond; 2 crows; 2 blue jays (scrub jays)

Pacheco Pond, Bel Marin Keys - April 25, 2010

Walking Distance: 2.6 miles (2 segments combined)
Walking Time: 1 hr., 13 min. walking time (6:50 - 7:42 p.m. and 7:47 - 8:08 p.m.)
Start and End Points: 1.) Pacheco Pond Wildlife Protection Area parking lot; 2.) street parking near 4 Commercial Blvd., near Bel Marin Keys Blvd., Novato, CA

Starting at Pacheco Pond, I worked my way west along Bel Marin Keys (double yellow lines on map). I was able to photograph a lizard enjoying the last few moments of sun on a rock by the pond. And I was able to take pictures of a swan (shown) and some pairs of Canada geese (shown in a blurry picture to the right with four goslings, although the latter are almost impossible to see in this picture). The presence of goslings probably explains why the Canada geese were chasing away the swan.

As dusk approached, it was time for the mosquitos to come out at Pacheco Pond, particularly at the northeast end. I found myself walking and swatting at the same time. To those in passing cars, I'm sure I looked like a very strange person.

By the time I reached the commercial end of Bel Marin Keys Blvd., it was getting dark. I walked by Cafe Bowl of Sol, Pug Snuggly, Who Does Your Dog, and other fun small businesses, that were closed for the evening.  And I passed by Arroyo San Jose (creek shown).

I finished today's walk when I hiked to the top of the overpass that was part of the Highway 101 interchange, and looked around to find the trail (beginning of short red line shown on map, heading north). However, all I could see was some overgrown railroad tracks below. Perhaps this is the trail? I'll have to come back later to find out.

Wildlife Sightings:
1 lizard on rock; 1 dove; 24 mosquitos (1 was biting my hand!); 5 barn swallows; 10 Canada geese + 4 goslings; 1 large white swan; 7 ducks; 3 clouds of gnats; 6 red-winged blackbirds; 9 little brown jobs (LBJs); 1 great egret; 2 crows; and 1 tennis ball.