Andersen Dr., WildCare - March 10, '13

Walking Distance: 3.1 mi.
Walking Time: 1 hr., 55 min. (3:05 - 5:00 p.m.)
Start and End Point: diagonal parking space (4-hour limit) on Albert Park Lane, San Rafael, CA

This afternoon's walk on Andersen Drive in San Rafael was primarily on sidewalks (shown as a solid, green line on 2012-2013 Bay Trail Map Set). I parked a few blocks off the Bay Trail near the Terwilliger Nature Education Center and WildCare* facility so I could see some additional birds (pelicans, turkey vulture, others) after my stroll down Andersen Drive.

First, I walked (north) through Albert Park, between rows of palm trees with a view of the Mission San Rafael Arcángel. When I reached Andersen Drive I headed right/south on the sidewalk (on Andersen) toward Bellam Boulevard. 

Along the way, I passed through a light industrial area, and a few metal quonset huts sticking up over the fence to my right. Some of these arched steel, prefabricated structures were inscribed with interesting painted, partly faded signage; others had letters which spelled out mysterious words like: "PUMPS."

Trees lining the sidewalk were laden with white blossoms, a sure sign of spring. A bush with bright pink/purple sweet pea flowers spilled through a fence within smelling distance of where I stood. Tiny patches of grafitti sprouted on cement surfaces.

I became aware of the Cal Park Hill bicycle/pedestrian trail to my right, and merged with it before I reached Bellam Blvd. Somehow this bike path had escaped my notice on my first walk around the Bay. I turned around when the bike path passed the intersection of Bellam Blvd. and Andersen and started to curve south.

After turning around, I walked west, back up Andersen Drive, and made a stop at Safeway for something to eat and drink, then proceeded on (southeast) to WildCare. I arrived before closing time (and the last feeding of the day), and caught glimpses of pelicans in the courtyard/pool area. I also saw a great (white) egret that may have flown in hoping for a fish.
Wildlife Sightings:
1 duck (in creek); 2 sea gulls; 33 pigeons; 9 crows/ravens; 2 hawks/birds of prey (one screeching and chasing another one - possibly a fledgling asking for food from an adult); 1 rusty screw (and several nails)

*WildCare treats approximately 3,000 injured or sick animals per year, and seeks to educate the public on how to best co-exist with fellow wild creatures.

San Rafael, Shoreline Park - Mar. 3, '13

Walking Distance: 3 mi. (estim.)
Walking Time: 1 hr., 39 min. (4:31 - 6:10 p.m.)
Start and End Point: street parking near entrance to Jean and John Starkweather Shoreline Park

While I am walking around the Bay in a clockwise direction, I occasionally skip segments and then go back to walk them later. After hiking the southern end of China Camp State Park last week, today I backtracked (south) to walk a stretch of Shoreline in San Rafael that I missed.

This area was north of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge (and San Quentin Prison), and south of China Camp and McNears Beach, and included a few miles of scenic shoreline trails (some paved and some packed dirt). Today's stretch is shown as solid, dark green (asphalt) and medium green (packed dirt) lines on the 2012-2013 Bay Trail Map set.

This afternoon's walk at Jean and John Starkweather Shoreline Park was a beautiful one by the Bay, with a winter bonanza of ducks -- more than 200 sighted in less than 2 hours, and great views of the Bay, the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, and Mount Tamalpais.

The entrance to this trail was located at the NE end of Bellam Blvd., marked by a sign (Jean and John Starkweather Shoreline Park). I followed a paved (asphalt) path toward the Bay and headed north.

Along the way I could see the Richmond - San Rafael Bridge to the southeast, two small islands in the Bay (part of Marin Islands National Wildlife Refuge). These islands are home to egrets and other nesting birds.

I walked north until I reached a small point and turned around. I then walked south, along a packed earth path for some of that time, then a paved path again, passing some light industrial/office buildings. At the south end of this stretch I reached a small beach. I sat down on a large driftwood log to watch birds for a moment. A gate blocked shoreline access further south (toward a shooting range and San Quentin).

On the return walk (north) back to the car, the sun was setting in the west and I enjoyed watching Mount Tamalpais turn into a dark and beautiful silhouette, surrounded by the sunset.

Wildlife Sightings:
209 ducks, including 20 lesser scaups; 24 little brown jobs (LBJs); 2 red-winged blackbirds; 2 UFO grebes; 4 Canada geese; 4 unidentified brownish shorebirds (UBBs); 7 crows/ravens; 5 bumblebees; 5 black-necked stilts; 1 killdeer; 1 coot; 1 cormorant; 3 sea gulls; 2 mockingbirds; 2 doves

China Camp, part 1 - Feb. 27, 2013

Walking Distance: 2.5 mi. (estimate)
Walking Time: 2 hrs., 34 min. (12:58 - 3:32 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Parking lot, China Camp State Park (Marin County), CA

I skipped ahead almost a mile this afternoon, to take a walk at China Camp, a California State Park. Thanks to Mark for joining me today.

From the parking lot, we walked downhill to a beach and a partially restored Chinese shrimp fishing village (China Camp Village) that had been most active in the 1880s. We made our way through exhibits in one building and passed the Quan Brothers snack bar (open on weekends).

After looking at some historical artifacts on display (old furnaces, equipment, examples of shrimp nets), we walked to the south to end of the beach, and stopped to look at an old stand of fruit trees that were full of white blossoms and buzzing bees -- a sign of early spring in February.

We turned around and headed back along the beach, and back uphill to the parking lot, and through a picnic area along the shore/bluffs. From an outlook (China Camp Point) we had a nice view of Rat Rock (in the Bay) and beyond.

From this outlook area we continued walking, on a narrow dirt path, passing several oak trees; and the dirt path became even narrower, until we decided to make our way back to Point San Pedro Road, the main road running through the Park. (Note: Point San Pedro Road turns into North San Pedro Road, as you head north through the park.)

We crossed this road, from the shoreline side to the hillside, close to a Ranger's Station.

Near the Ranger Station was a trailhead leading slightly uphill to the Shoreline Trail. We followed this trail and made a loop, eventually coming back down toward the car.

Next up: hike the trails in the northern part of China Camp State Park, and the rest of the North Point San Pedro Rd., eventually leading out of the park and toward the Marin Civic Center.

Note: China Camp does have some overnight camp sites. Check the website for more details.

Wildlife Sightings:
1 pelican; 2 sea gulls; 6 little brown jobs (LBJs); 5 crows/ravens; 1 cormorant; 2 Canada geese

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

Andersen Drive, cont. - Feb. 1, 2013

Walking Distance: 1.05 mi.
Walking Time: 45 min. (3:15 - 4:00 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Orchard Supply Hardware, parking lot, San Rafael, CA

This afternoon's meander was a short continuation of a walk earlier this afternoon -- when I walked the southern end of Andersen Drive and continued up Andersen to the Orchard Supply Hardware store. This walk was more casual than usual, with a few stops along the way. Sidewalks were available for this segment and, in fact, most of Andersen Drive is shown as a solid, green line -- a developed trail -- on the San Francisco Bay Trail map set.

I started this walk by buying some bottled water at Orchard Supply for the walk. And I headed northwest on Andersen Drive until I reached the intersection of Andersen Dr. with Bellam Boulevard (traffic light), where I turned around. Not many birds today other than ones you'd expect to see in more urban or light industrial areas near the shore: sea gulls, and a few crows perched on fences.

Tap Plastics stop
Occasionally I've noted possible places of interest while walking the Bay Trail. Here's one that might appeal to a select few. On the way back to my car, I stopped at Tap Plastics -- (a chain of) stores in the Bay Area that offer custom-made and off-the-shelf plastic sheets, dowels, cases, and many other shapes and options. It's a great store for people who are building specialty items, creative projects, or just want to solve a simple problem. I lingered over the displays and bought some custom cut plastic sheets (for a photography shoot) and happily lugged them down Andersen Drive back to my car.

Three Twins sundae
One more place of note...After I finished this walk, I drove south along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard (and the SF Bay Trail), and I stopped at Three Twins ice cream (at Marin Country Mart shopping center) for a truly great ice cream sundae, called the California Cliche: two scoops of ice cream, drizzled with olive oil, and topped with pistachio nuts and fresh whipped cream. Food tastes even better after a walk on the Bay Trail.

Wildlife Sightings:
11 sea gulls; 3 little brown jobs; 3 crows