Marin Uplands trail - Feb. 23, '13

Walking Distance: 1 mi.
Walking Time: 1 hr., 35 min. (4:30 - 6:05 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Side of road (shoulder), Paradise Drive, Tiburon, CA

If you happen to be driving along Paradise Drive (on the north side of the Tiburon peninsula) and you pay close attention, you will see a wooden sign (on the northwest or hill side of the road) labeled County of Marin Tiburon Uplands Nature Preserve.

While this is not part of the Bay Trail, the Uplands trail is a great, off-map hike for those who love almost 360 degree views of the Bay. This packed dirt trail starts with a series of steps at the Paradise Drive trailhead and quickly blends into the wooded hillside.

Along the way uphill to the ridge, in the winter/spring (the wetter months in California), the path is dotted with wildflowers, and interesting moss, fungi and lichens.

On this walk I enjoyed seeing Hounds Tongue (small blue-purple flowers with white centers); Indian Warrior (scarlet-pink); irises; and white camas. Look up and you might see a leafy nest or two in the trees (perhaps a squirrel nest, or drey).

I had hiked this .7 mi. loop trail (plus another 1/2 mile up on the ridge, at the top) during my first walk around San Francisco Bay (2009 - 2011), also in the winter. The wooded hillscape looked a little drier this time, with some trees looking a little drought-stressed. But, this could have been my imagination.

There is at least one bench, in a clearing, about 2/3 up to the top, where you can stop and catch your breath.

Eventually you'll arrive at the top, a ridge area with views across the Bay to Richmond, and further south, on a clear day, you'll be able to see the skylines of Albany, Berkeley, and Emeryville in the East Bay. If you follow the trail (to the left/south) along the ridge just a bit further you'll be able to see views of the San Francisco skyline, the Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Wildlife Sightings:

20 robins - maybe even more, but that's all I could see well enough to identify

Paradise Drive, Foods - Dec. 30, '12

Walking Distance: 2.6 mi.
Walking Time: 1 hr., 19 min. (4:56 - 6:15 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Parking lot, near Paradise Foods (market), Corte Madera, CA

This evening was clear and cool; it was a great evening for walking. I said farewell to Paradise Drive, where I'd been walking for the past several walks. And I moved back to the official San Francisco Bay Trail (shown as a solid dark green line on 2012 - 2013 Bay Trail maps). This meant I was walking primarily on sidewalks and packed dirt trails, set far back from busy streets, near the Bay, in Corte Madera. This separation from car traffic meant I could walk at night without fear of getting run over.

And, night walking meant I could enjoy views of San Quentin Prison and the Richmond - San Rafael Bridge; both were islands of light surrounded by dark sheets of water, soon to be illuminated by moonlight.

From the Paradise Foods parking lot (5627 Paradise Drive), I walked south on Paradise Drive from the Paradise Foods parking lot, back toward where I left off before. I turned around when I reached Westward Drive, and then headed back in the other direction.

I followed Bay Trail signs, and walked on a levee trail (passing a rest area and some possible trailheads in the dark). I made a note to go back and check later to see if I'd missed any trails, or parts of the Bay Trail. I caught sight of bits of objects left behind, under streetlamps, like a little child's shoe left on a post.

I turned around at a stoplight, at the intersection of Tamalpais Drive and San Clemente Drive, where Mt. Tamalpais appeared, silhouetted, in the distance.

I walked back to Paradise Foods, where I bought a very tasty dinner from the deli section of the market. I concluded this adventure with a roasted chicken dinner, salad and dessert in the comforts of my trusty vehicle with some music on the radio. It was magnificent, with a little touch of hobo heaven.


Wildlife Sightings:
1 little brown job (LBJ); 2 balls (basketball in fennel plant, 1 white ball in creek); 1 hummingbird; 3 black-necked stilts (possibly the same three I saw a few days ago)

Paradise Drive, Triangle Marsh - Dec. 24, '12

Walking Distance: 1.8 mi.
Walking Time: 47 min. (4:18 - 5:05 p.m.)
Start and End Point: side of road, Paradise Drive, Tiburon, CA

For me, there is no better way to celebrate the holidays than to enjoy a walk between festivities. I returned to Paradise Drive for another late afternoon walk -- once again trying to eke out as much daylight time as possible before sunset.

Sometimes you have to squeeze in walking time whenever you can find it during the day. And daytime is the best time for walking or riding on Paradise Drive (not technically part of the SF Bay Trail, and shown as a dotted, dark green line on the newest 2012 - 2013 Bay Trail Maps), due to stretches of winding road through trees, with limited set-backs. However, views of San Quentin, the Richmond - San Rafael bridge, and boats passing below help justify this walk.

I started this afternoon's amble by heading south on Paradise Drive to Ranch Drive (where I'd ended my previous walk last week). I then walked down (and back up) Ranch Drive, back to Paradise Drive.

Along the way, I enjoyed bright spots of winter color. Red berries, evergreen trees and green foliage -- perfect for Christmas week in Northern California, along with interesting mosses and lichens on rocks.

After turning around, I then headed North. I passed my parked car along the way, and continued north on Paradise Drive. I felt I was returning to civilization, or at least a more urban setting. I passed Marin Montessori, and Marin Country Day School (MCDS), and was able to walk on sidewalks for part of the time.

At the other (north) end of today's loop walk, I turned around at the intersection of Paradise Drive and Westward Drive, near the city boundary (cross-over point for me), between Tiburon and Corte Madera.

I enjoyed passing Triangle Marsh, at the base of Ring Mountain on the Tiburon peninsula, where I returned to the shoreline, after enjoying the views from above for the past few weeks, up in the hills and trees. I was rewarded by the sight of a few black-necked stilts (shorebirds) in the marsh, and the sight of a rising moon.

Wildlife Sightings:
2 crows; 3 sea gulls; 3 little brown jobs (LBJs); 2 robins; 3 black-necked stilts

Paradise Drive, continued - Dec. 19, '12

Walking Distance: 1.15 mi.
Walking Time: 24 min. (4:08 - 4:32 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Side of paved road, Antilles Way, Tiburon, CA

Today was another short walk on a December afternoon with clear skies, due to getting out late and the sun setting early. Sadly, as I walk further north along the San Francisco Bay Trail (and toward the farthest point away from my home), more time is spent on driving and less on walking when the days are shorter.

I have been trying to walk stretches of Paradise Drive (not technically part of the developed Bay Trail and shown as a dotted line on 2012-2013 Bay Trail map set) for a few weeks now. However, it's not a stretch of road I hike after dusk, due to narrow setbacks and cars and bicycles that tend to appear suddenly around corners.

However, today's section of Paradise Drive was a bit safer than previous sections.

Some areas had wider setbacks, and today I was actually walking on a cement sidewalk (something I hadn't seen in awhile). Generally a sign that I'm returning to a more developed area.

Sights included a scenic view of San Quentin prison; the Richmond - San Rafael Bridge, a housing development down by the water (Paradise Cay); and interesting rocks and trees.

I walked until I reached the intersection of Ranch Road and Paradise Drive, before turning around and heading back. 

I smiled as I passed carports on Paradise Drive with million dollar views of the Bay. (These carports were, arguably, nicer than my entire house.)  

I continued (roughly southeast) along Paradise Dr., past Antilles Way then to far end of Antilles Way where it rejoined Paradise Dr. 

And, through the trees, I caught sight of East Brother Light Station, located on a small island in the bay with a Victorian Bed and Breakfast that will accommodate overnight visitors (by reservation only). The two Brother islands (East and West) could be glimpsed in the far distance, through/under the Richmond - San Rafael Bridge.

Wildlife Sightings:

2 little brown jobs (LBJs)

Trestle Glen - Dec. 18, 2012

Walking Distance: 1.4 mi.
Walking Time: 27 min. (4:13 - 4:40 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Blackie's Pasture overflow (packed dirt) parking lot, Tiburon, CA

This afternoon's walk segment, on a beautiful, clear, December day, was a continuation of a previous walk, after a brief break in between.

It's a subject few people talk about (except distance hikers perhaps). Restrooms are an important part of long-distance walking. A big thank you to those who provide and maintain facilities in parks and public spaces. Without this service, bikers and hikers would have to ride or drive miles into town and back. And, today, I wouldn't have had time to walk the last part of Trestle Glen (that connects Tiburon Blvd. with Paradise Drive), if there hadn't been facilities near Blackie's Pasture.

Now, on to the walk...

After admiring a new piece of headgear (a red Boston University ball cap) on the statue of Blackie* (a horse), I followed the asphalt trail toward the intersection of Tiburon Blvd. and Trestle Glen.

After crossing Tiburon Blvd., I hiked up Trestle Glen (the first solid, dark green line is considered part of the official developed Bay Trail, with wider setbacks for pedestrians and cyclists), as far as a white road marker, where I'd left off earlier this afternoon.

I then turned around and walked back down to Blackie's Pasture parking lot to my car, just as the light was fading and the shadows were lengthening. I enjoyed seeing two deer, very close to the spot where I'd spotted a pair of deer on my first walk around the Bay Trail a few years ago. I couldn't help but wonder if these were the same deer.

Wildlife Sightings:
1 green tennis ball; 6 turkey vultures; 2 deer on hill (where I saw a pair a few years ago); 2 robins; 2 little brown jobs (LBJs)

*Mysterious hats, scarves, bandanas and other gifts of clothing tend to show up on Blackie, a beloved local horse who left this world several years back.

Paradise Drive - Dec. 18, 2012

Walking Distance: 2.4 mi.
Walking Time: 1 hr., 1 min. (3:05 - 4:06 p.m.)
Start and End Point: dirt pull-out area, near 4220 Paradise Drive, Tiburon, CA

This afternoon I continued walking on Paradise Drive and Trestle Glen on the Tiburon peninsula. Paradise Drive, a winding road with narrow setbacks, is not part of the developed SF Bay Trail, and as such is shown as a dotted, dark green line on the latest Bay Trail map set). Paradise Drive offers scenic views on the Bay side (on the north side, often between trees) and wooded hills on the Tiburon peninsula (southwest side).

I followed a stretch of Paradise Drive and enjoyed intermittent glimpses of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, homes below by the water (Paradise Cay) and the Tiburon Yacht Club, as well as a few ships gliding by on the Bay.

I concluded this walk by turning onto Trestle Glen (like Paradise Drive, a road marked as an undeveloped trail segment, shown as a dotted, dark green line on the 2012 - 2013 Bay Trail Map set). Trestle Glen connects Paradise Drive and Tiburon Boulevard on the Tiburon peninsula. Some stretches of the road have better setbacks than others.

There were small treasures (in yards) that were close to the road, such as the small lion statue shown. And, there might be glimpses of the occasional deer amongst trees, or between yards; although there were none today.

Robins and Statistics
Happily, I saw several sparrows and smaller birds (sorry, I've lumped these together and called them little brown jobs) by the road's edge, foraging about for seeds and insects in the green shoots of grass that thrive in the few winter months here.

I saw five robins (mostly high up in trees) -- more than I remember seeing for many years. One can hope they're making a comeback after being affected by the pesticide DDT (which weakened bird eggshells and led to bird die-offs) back in the 1960s. During my first walk around the Bay Trail (2009-2011) I spotted 30 robins over 1,000 miles of walking.

So, these five robins this afternoon represent a relatively large percentage of that previous total. (As of today, I've covered about 1/3 of the Bay Trail on my second trip around the Bay, and have spotted 10 robins total so far. About the same, but they're concentrated in certain habitats, so that doesn't tell the whole story. One park with an inviting lawn and some interesting worms might attract a cluster of robins, whereas a long stretch of shoreline might not.

Wildlife Sightings:
9 little brown jobs (LBJs); 1 old tennis ball; 5 robins