Marin Headlands Hike

We escaped the gloom of overcast skies in the Big Valley to the beautiful sunny hills of the Marin Headlands for the February hike of the Sac County Hikers.

Twenty-six hikers (including our hike leader Rich Blackmarr's 7 month old grandson Weston who is visiting from VT) basked in the sunny blue skies of the Marin coast.

The 5 1/2 mile loop hike started at Rodeo Beach in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) and ascended the hills to a high-point of Hill 88, elevation 960'.

This loop trail offering panoramic views of the coast and SF skyline is one of the most popular hikes for day trippers.

The route took us past a number of historic bunkers and gun placements utilized during WWII to protect the entrance to SF Bay.  The GGNRA established in 1972 encompasses 80,000 acres of prime coastal land formerly used by the US Army into one of the largest urban parks in the US.

To view the album, click on "Marin Headlands Hike" below the photo:

From Marin Headlands Hike

Fiske Peak Hike

At 2,868', Fiske is the third highest and northern most peak on the Blue Ridge in California's north coast range.

The 4.2 mile trail to the top is quite steep and switch-backs 2,300' to the summit.  The trailhead is located at a regional park about a mile north of the Cache Creek Bridge on Hwy 16 at the north end of Capay Valley.

The best time of year to tackle this hike is during the winter or early spring when the temperatures are cool and the hills green.  The Blue Ridge Range is very hot and dry during the summer months.

Joining me on today's hike were Dick Fraschetti, Frank Gerace, Stew Patrignani, Kathy Douglas, David and Kristina Vandershaf.  For early February, the weather was spectacular.

To view the album, click on "Fiske Peak Hike" below photo:

From Fiske Peak Hike