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)

Hamilton Parkway, Park, Novato - March 19, 2014

Walking Distance: 1.1 miles (estimate)
Walking Time: 1 hr., 4 min. (4:51 - 5:55 p.m.)
Start and End Point: small parking lot off Hamilton Pkwy., Novato, CA

The Old Hamilton Air Force Base closed many years ago. The large hangars that once sheltered planes now house businesses in this mixed use community. Today's walk took us up and over a hill with a view of this area, now part of Novato.

We started at a small parking lot off Hamilton Parkway, at the foot of hill. We walked up the trail which curved back and forth up the hill. It felt like Spring. We did have to make one stop—for a rope swing tied to a large tree. (We stopped to swing on the way back and swinging was delightful. I hope it's still there.)

We continued to walk uphill to a vista area. This vantage point afforded some nice views of the marsh/wetlands areas that have been partially restored.

I walked downhill (past a cat hiding in green grass and old fennel stems), to the point where I'd left off last weekend, then walked back up the hill. I then re-joined my friend Elise and we walked back up over the top, then downhill back to the car.

Thank you Elise!

Wildlife Sightings:
2 turkey vultures
3 lizards
5 ducks
5 butterflies (inclu. large orange and black one)
lots of bees buzzings around large bush/tree with "teeth" flowers
1 domestic cat (white and dark gray)

Old Hamilton AFB, Novato - March 16, 2014

Walking Distance: 1.8 mi. (estimate)
Walking Time: 1 hr., 26 min. (1:55 - 3:21 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Parking lot, behind Hangar 7, Novato, CA

The portion of the Bay Trail in Novato located in the old Hamilton Air Force Base has the advantage of interesting buildings, history—and good parking.

We stopped to look at a tiny plane attached to the Hamilton Field History Museum. The museum wasn't open, but we learned quite a bit just from reading the signage for the outdoor displays.

We parked in a large parking lot, behind Hangar 7, not too far from the old (air) control tower. The lot was also conveniently located to an entrance to the Bay Trail. After watching a fire truck performing a drill using the tower, we hit the trail.

We walked up a short ramp and started walking on what looked to be a newly groomed dirt/gravel trail. (There was a trail further down by the water, on the other side of a low wall, and we took that on the way back.)

We walked south, passing a Coast Guard yard, with boats at the ready. Eventually the trail curved to right.

We followed the Bay Trail until we reached a ballpark (Palmisano Park) where I'd started on previous walk last month (February 2014), and turned around here.

We came back on the packed dirt trail on the Bay side of wall. We kept going until we reached a "#1 marker" on wall; and turned around just past where 2 trails merged. Then we walked back to car in parking lot.

We enjoyed seeing a group of several large, graceful white swans, as well as a few lizards basking in the sun.

Thank you John for the great walk.

Wildlife Sightings:
2 Brewer's? Blackbirds
18 red-winged blackbirds (RWBs)
1 bumblebee
1 orange and black butterfly
16 Canada geese
10 swans
3 lizards
4 crows/ravens
1 great egret
1 ladybug

Vista Trail, Reservoir Hill, Novato - April 24, 2010

Walking Distance: 3.66 miles (estimate)
Walking Time: 1 hr., 28 minutes (4:00 - 5:28 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Novato Skate Park, parking lot, Novato, CA

Today I had a chance to see how much the old Hamilton Air Force Base has changed. It took me awhile to decipher the map; I parked at the Novato skateboard park, instead of the trailhead parking lot for the Vista Trail up Reservoir Hill.  But, this extra stretch of walking gave me the opportunity to notice another trail as I walked down Hamilton Parkway -- which I explored on the way back.

The climb to the top of Reservoir Hill yielded a sweeping view of San Pablo Bay, and the hangers (now occupied by businesses), and housing below (pictured right).


It was also a good day for wildlife. Several American avocets swept their bills from side to side feeding in the shallow water (pictured right).  Canada geese had paired off (pictured right). Little brown lizards were out sunning themselves and went skittering into hiding when I approached.

There were large patches of red clover, purple lupine, and orange California poppies, and several other wildflowers in bloom.

Wildlife Sightings:
13 barn swallows; 26 little brown jobs (LBJs); 7 lizards; 2 crows; 1 ladybug; 1 white butterfly; 4 Canada geese (2 prs.); 6 red-winged blackbirds; 9 ducks; 1 unidentified flying bug; 2 swarms gnats; 3 reddish finches; 14 American Avocets; 1 unidentified brownish shorebird; 1 snail; 1 bumblebee; 1 hummingbird; lots of wildflowers; and 1 house with 13 (!) barn swallow nests under the eaves.

Las Gallinas Wildlife Ponds, Apr 23, 2010

Walking Distance: 5 miles (estimate)
Walking Time: 3 hours (4:20 - 7:20 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Las Gallinas Valley Sanitation District Wildlife Ponds, Public Parking Lot, end of Smith Ranch Rd., San Rafael, CA

The Las Gallinas ponds were alive with several different birds, taking off and landing, and just floating about. (Thank you to Rosina for pointing out the ducklings.)  I walked the large loop, and out to the end of the trail (the straight line that extends up toward Hamilton Wetlands Restoration area, and ends at a concrete barrier. I then retraced my steps and walked the smaller "inside" loop. 

The day belonged to the red-winged blackbirds -- that were warbling and singing up a storm. They were everywhere - perched on cattails, bushes. One (pictured at right) posed on top of a warning sign (stating that ponds contained effluent water).

Wildflowers were out in full force, and strong afternoon breezes made for lots of blurry pictures. For example, the quail pictured at right. It caught my eye as it was sitting up on top of a 4-foot metal 
pole/post. Up until today, I'd only seen quail on the ground scuttling
into the underbrush, and maybe occasionally hopping onto low branches. This one might as well have climbed Mt. Everest as far as I was concerned.  I have much to learn.

Wildlife Sightings:
61 LBJs; 44 ducks; 14 Canada geese; 24 red-winged blackbirds; 4 cormorants; 2 great white egrets; 1 snowy egret; 2 Am. Avocets; 3 Black-necked Stilts; 2 dragonflies; 2 killdeer; 1 Western Grebe; 3 quail on the trail (I was sitting on top of metal fencepost; 3

hawks/falcons; 2 mockingbirds; 8 orange and brown butterflies + 3 white ones; 3 turkey vultures; 1 great blue heron; 1 bumblebee; 40 barn swallows; 1 kite; 1 crow; 3 unidentified flying bugs (UFBs); 2 smaller yellow birds (finches?) and 2 reddish birds (finches?) up on utility wires; 1 dove. Someone pointed out where they saw an otter, but I didn't see it. Several cows were munching grass in the distant background.