MARIN HEADLANDS INN ADVENTURE

 

Dates: August 28 - 31
4 days, 3 nights
Cost: $480
Your Fees Include: Dormitory-style lodging, most meals, entrance fees, tour of Pt. Bonita Lighthouse, guided day hikes & evening programs, trail shuttles
Walk Status: OPEN
   
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View a photo slideshow of the Marin Headlands Inn Adventure
(you must have the Flash Viewer 7 or later for this to work).

“What a great time we all had – 12 people from all walks of life who got along from start to finish. I think the compatibility came from our common desire to learn more about our coast, combined with all the behind-the-scenes work before the trip and the 2 delightful energizer bunnies who smoothed out any bumps in our path.
“All the ‘extras’ - rangers, guides, lecturers, etc., added so much to our learning and laughter. Who could compete with Ranger Ken or Road Kill Nancy? Just add salt air and open trails, and stir."
      - Ann and John Perkins, '07 Marin Headlands participants

The Marin Headlands, the northern beacon of the Golden Gate, is a national park wilderness just minutes from San Francisco. Its sweeping views of the Farallon Islands, the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco Bay Area are unparalleled.

Join us for an unforgettable exploration of the Marin Headlands and Mt. Tamalpais, at the southern end of Marin County just north of San Francisco. We will mix spectacular hiking with learning about coastal preservation; and guarantee you enough time to smell the coastal sage, browse in a bookstore, and feast your eyes on broad vistas of the beautiful Northern California coast.

Our base for four days will be the Headlands Institute at Fort Cronkhite in the Marin Headlands Golden Gate National Recreation Area. We will sleep in gender separated dorm rooms and the Institute will provide hot showers, delicious breakfasts and lunches, and hearty, health-conscious dinners in their dining room. Interesting and entertaining evening programs will also provide the opportunity to learn more about coastal issues and what is happening in the Marin Headlands.

After arriving at the Institute on Thursday morning, August 28, we will start with a short hike to the newly remodeled Marine Mammal Center, a non-profit marine mammal rehabilitation center. Following the visit, we will hike up Wolf Ridge to the top of Hill 88 , site of a Cold War Nike anti-aircraft missile radar site, stopping along the way for lunch and to visit WW II coastal artillery fortifications at Battery Townsley and learn how the headlands bears witness to U.S. military history. After enjoying perhaps the best views in the Headlands, we will hike back to the Headlands Institute for dinner followed by a Coastwalk orientation program.

On Friday, August 29, we will travel by van to the Tennessee Valley trailhead and hike to Tennessee Cove. After spending some time at the beach and perhaps seeing some of the exposed remains of the S.S. Tennessee that went aground in the cove in 1853, we will hike along the rugged Coastal Trail to Muir Beach. An easier hike option will be available for some if desired. The group will rejoin at Muir Beach for lunch provided by Coastwalk. After lunch we will have an interpretative talk by National Park Service staff regarding the Big Lagoon Restoration Project and hike around the lagoon to the Green Gulch Farm and Zen Center. We will visit the center, also known as the Green Dragon Temple (Soryu-ji), which is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Plan (GGNRA) Master Plan and is an example of a sustainable community living within the coastal zone. Its members practice Zen Buddhism, and part of their mission involves stewardship of the land, including their bio-intensive organic gardens. We will return by van to the Institute for dinner and an entertaining campfire program.

We will travel by van again on Saturday, August 30, to State Parks and Recreation Pan Toll Station trailhead on Mt. Tamalpais and hike down the Steep Ravine and Dipsea trails to Stinson Beach. This is a beautiful hike through Coastal Redwoods and open bluffs with great views of Stinson Beach and Bolinas Lagoon. Walkers can either bring their lunch or eat at one of the quaint little restaurants and browse through the local shops in Stinson Beach. After lunch we will hike along the Bolinas Spit and learn about the delicate balance between man and nature in the Bolinas Lagoon. We will be picked up by van at the end of the spit for our return to the Institute for relaxation, dinner and another interesting campfire program.

On Sunday morning, August 31, we will hike from the Institute to the Point Bonita Lighthouse for a private tour by National Park Service staff. After learning how this beautiful little lighthouse played a big part in San Francisco's maritime history, we will hike to the National Park Service visitors' center. After a short visit, we will return to the Institute for a farewell lunch and early afternoon departure. An optional visit on your own after lunch to Hawk Hill, site of the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory, is well worth a stop on the way home.

Hike Ratings: Easy - Moderate with some Strenuous uphill and downhill sections on uneven dirt trails. Easy hike options available each day.

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