With no time for a hike we headed out to the cliffs by Battery Mendell and watched the sun disappear.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Marin Headlands Sunset - 11/25/2011
Sarah and I drove out to the Marin Headlands to catch sunset and unwind from a days work. It's almost as if the Bunker Road tunnel is a gateway to a realm where you can forget about your troubles and let nature guide your thoughts. Always uplifting and yet very grounding at the same time. The saline air being brought in from offshore breezes and the pounding Pacific brings a calming affect and is quite beneficial to your health as well.
With no time for a hike we headed out to the cliffs by Battery Mendell and watched the sun disappear.
Marin Headlands Sunset
Battery Mendell
Slab near Parking Lot
With no time for a hike we headed out to the cliffs by Battery Mendell and watched the sun disappear.
Kent Trail to Hidden Lake Hike - 11/25/2011
The Kent Trail is one of my go to trails with several loop options to choose from. Utilizing the last few weeks of our annual pass before it expires, we parked at Lake Bon Tempe and started our hike by climbing up to lake level and crossing the dam. With views of Bon Tempe as well as Alpine Lake we watched for Osprey and other frequently seen birds such as Mergansers and Cormorants. At the end of the dam we took a right on the fire road toward the pump house and the Kent Trail. The fire road brought us down to Alpine Lake where the Kent trail sets off as a singletrack closely following the southeastern shoreline. The next two miles of trail before the junction with the Helen Markt trail are fascinating and offer views out over Lake Alpine with Azalea Hill and Oat Hill Ridge to the north northwest.
Just before reaching the junction with Helen Markt the Kent Trail veers uphill paralleling the East Fork of Swede George Creek. The uphill sections of the Kent Trail appeal to me because they aren't too steeply graded, yet elevation is quickly gained.
The next mile and a half of the trail was dark and moist which provided the perfect conditions for many mushrooms and strange colorful fungi.
Orange Peel Fungus
Lion's Mane
Coral Fungi
We passed by Foul Pool, an interesting stagnant swamp filled with tannin tea. At the junction with Willow and Stocking we headed left on the Stocking Trail toward Hidden Lake.
Hidden Lake, once called Wildcat Lake in the early 1900's, is now a fascinating swamp supporting all types of wildlife including aquatic, land, and tree dwellers. This time of year the pond was full and the surface was blanketed with a green algae type moss. I halfway expected to see Yoda at the edge of the bank for it resembles a scene right out of Star Wars.
Hidden Lake
Hidden Lake
Hidden Lake Swamp
Hidden Lake
Recent rains had brought out the newts which we were careful not to step on as they were crawling around everywhere. We came across one particularly small baby one which I couldn't resist taking a picture of with a finger in the frame for scale.
Baby Newt
Continuing on, the Stocking Trail passes beneath some fairly large redwood trees with large ferns fanning out around their trunks. The trail undulates and crosses Van Wyck Creek entering a chaparral environment including scrub oak, chamise and poison oak as it climbs toward Rocky Ridge.
We reached the Rocky Ridge Fire Road and took a right for a few hundred yards before taking a left onto the unmarked Upper Berry Trail. The trail begins at the bottom of a clearing holding and old water tank. Narrow and eroded in places the trail descends rather steeply and eventually connects with the Rock Spring-Lagunitas Fire Rd. where we continued along single track on the Lower Berry Trail. Even steeper in parts than the Upper Berry Trail we dropped down toward Lake Bon Tempe. Halfway down the Lower Berry Trail slightly hidden off to the left of the trail is a great rock outcropping with vistas and an open feeling that the rest of the trail lacks.
The Lower Berry Trail dropped us out along the far end of Lake Bon Tempe on the Shadyside Trail where we hiked another mile or so back to the dam. In springtime around April and May the Shadyside trail is a good place to see Striped and Spotted Coral Root Orchids amongst a vast variety of other wildflowers.
We crossed the dam and descended to our car with a great feeling of satisfaction.
Just before reaching the junction with Helen Markt the Kent Trail veers uphill paralleling the East Fork of Swede George Creek. The uphill sections of the Kent Trail appeal to me because they aren't too steeply graded, yet elevation is quickly gained.
The next mile and a half of the trail was dark and moist which provided the perfect conditions for many mushrooms and strange colorful fungi.
We passed by Foul Pool, an interesting stagnant swamp filled with tannin tea. At the junction with Willow and Stocking we headed left on the Stocking Trail toward Hidden Lake.
Hidden Lake, once called Wildcat Lake in the early 1900's, is now a fascinating swamp supporting all types of wildlife including aquatic, land, and tree dwellers. This time of year the pond was full and the surface was blanketed with a green algae type moss. I halfway expected to see Yoda at the edge of the bank for it resembles a scene right out of Star Wars.
Recent rains had brought out the newts which we were careful not to step on as they were crawling around everywhere. We came across one particularly small baby one which I couldn't resist taking a picture of with a finger in the frame for scale.
Continuing on, the Stocking Trail passes beneath some fairly large redwood trees with large ferns fanning out around their trunks. The trail undulates and crosses Van Wyck Creek entering a chaparral environment including scrub oak, chamise and poison oak as it climbs toward Rocky Ridge.
We reached the Rocky Ridge Fire Road and took a right for a few hundred yards before taking a left onto the unmarked Upper Berry Trail. The trail begins at the bottom of a clearing holding and old water tank. Narrow and eroded in places the trail descends rather steeply and eventually connects with the Rock Spring-Lagunitas Fire Rd. where we continued along single track on the Lower Berry Trail. Even steeper in parts than the Upper Berry Trail we dropped down toward Lake Bon Tempe. Halfway down the Lower Berry Trail slightly hidden off to the left of the trail is a great rock outcropping with vistas and an open feeling that the rest of the trail lacks.
The Lower Berry Trail dropped us out along the far end of Lake Bon Tempe on the Shadyside Trail where we hiked another mile or so back to the dam. In springtime around April and May the Shadyside trail is a good place to see Striped and Spotted Coral Root Orchids amongst a vast variety of other wildflowers.
We crossed the dam and descended to our car with a great feeling of satisfaction.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Sunrise at Albany Bulb - 11/18/2011
Another cloudy morning presented itself worthy of a side trip to watch sunrise. I headed to the Albany Bulb not far from where I work in Berkeley to await the rising sun.
The Albany Bulb is an interesting place to say the least. The whole place is strewn with art including old and new. From paintings to sculptures and statues and rock art, the Bulb is a Gallery in progress. The bulb is home to a few hardy souls who choose to camp out under trees and in forts amongst the concrete slabs and twisted rebar. Here is a link to a great piece written about the Bulb by Gambolin' Man.
Sunrise at Albany Bulb
Albany Bulb Sunrise
As I watched the cloud cover start glowing red a few early risers made there way out of the bushes and headed towards town to start their daily grind to find food.
Lighting of the Bulb
Bulb Art
Albany Shoreline
There's not a better way to start the day than with a little color! I must admit I have a small sense of jealosy for the folks that call this place home.
The Albany Bulb is an interesting place to say the least. The whole place is strewn with art including old and new. From paintings to sculptures and statues and rock art, the Bulb is a Gallery in progress. The bulb is home to a few hardy souls who choose to camp out under trees and in forts amongst the concrete slabs and twisted rebar. Here is a link to a great piece written about the Bulb by Gambolin' Man.
As I watched the cloud cover start glowing red a few early risers made there way out of the bushes and headed towards town to start their daily grind to find food.
There's not a better way to start the day than with a little color! I must admit I have a small sense of jealosy for the folks that call this place home.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Sunrise at San Quentin Promontory - 11-11-2011
On my way to work I stopped off at the San Quentin Promontory where there is a quaint little beach with views of the Richmond Bridge. It's hard to believe that just a few blocks away is the state prison. The clouds were patterned nicely in the sky and I was hoping for some dynamite color, however; Several minutes later I realized the cloud cover was too thick and I would only get a small sliver of vibrant orange red just at the horizon line.
The receding tide revealed some small tofani formations which made for nice foregrounds.
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Not a bad way to start the day!
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Battery Mendell Sunset - Marin Headlands - 11-9-11
Another after work adventure left me with just enough time to drive out to Battery Mendell in the Marin Headlands to catch sunset.
I parked in the newly redone parking lot near Battery Mendel which now holds only several cars. In years past you could pull right up to the Battery itself with parking for many cars. I guess it is for the best to keep impact to a minimum.
I climbed up a couple of flights of steps which led me to the top of the main building overlooking the ocean. Following a use trail I headed south along the precarious bluffs toward an old tower and some bunkers where I posted up and waited for sunset.
To the east, the rising full moon above Hawk Hill and Conzelman Road momentarily took my attention away from the setting sun.
The remnant war time bunkers and buildings with their quilt works of graffiti were a nice juxtaposition to the natural pacific landscape of the Marin Headlands.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Ring Mountain Sunset - Turtle Rock - 11-6-11
Ring Mountain Open Space is a convenient area for me to go hiking without having to drive too far from home. Its beautiful rolling hills are studded with fascinating geological features, one of the most prominent being Turtle Rock.
I parked my car at top of Taylor Rd. in Corte Maderawhere there is ample parking and then hiked up to the top of the ridge and did some exploring before dropping down to Turtle Rock. Often times occupied by rock climbers, I was lucky enough to have the exotic block to myself. I circled the giant rock waiting for the sun to set behind the ridge to the west.
Turtle Rock
Turtle Rock at Sunset
Turtle Rock on Ring Mountain
Turtle Rock and San Francisco
The moon had risen and was a nice addition to the already amazing scenery.
Moonrise over Turtle Rock
Most of the color ended up on the clouds to the east. I climbed on top of Turtle Rock for a better view.
Sunset from atop Turtle Rock
Moon Over Turtle Rock
Moon and Turtle Rock
Although I’ve never seen any in person, there are coyotes up on Ring Mountain and I could hear the frequent yips and howls starting at dusk. It is my goal to seek out the wildlife of Ring Mountain in months to come. It was dark by the time I headed back but the fire road was easy enough to follow without a flashlight.
I parked my car at top of Taylor Rd. in Corte Maderawhere there is ample parking and then hiked up to the top of the ridge and did some exploring before dropping down to Turtle Rock. Often times occupied by rock climbers, I was lucky enough to have the exotic block to myself. I circled the giant rock waiting for the sun to set behind the ridge to the west.
The moon had risen and was a nice addition to the already amazing scenery.
Most of the color ended up on the clouds to the east. I climbed on top of Turtle Rock for a better view.
Although I’ve never seen any in person, there are coyotes up on Ring Mountain and I could hear the frequent yips and howls starting at dusk. It is my goal to seek out the wildlife of Ring Mountain in months to come. It was dark by the time I headed back but the fire road was easy enough to follow without a flashlight.
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