Muir Beach to Tennessee Beach via the Pacific Coast Trail

(includes a tour of the Bay Model in Sausalito after the hike)

  Thursday, June 11, 2009

OVERVIEW OF THE DAY:  This is a day trip with a bit of variety, making the long drive well worth while.  The day will start early with a drive to the coast to avoid the triple digit temps of Lincoln.  A relatively short hike (6.6 miles) overlooking the Pacific with spectacular scenery and ocean breezes will highlight the day.  After the hike we will take a short drive to Sausalito to view the most interesting Bay Model (see description below).  Finally we will let rush hour traffic clear out while enjoying a salad, burger, sandwich, pizza or brewery favorite at the Marin Brewing Company at Larkspur Landing.   Plan to join us for a fun day of less strenuous but spectacular hiking, cooler temps, a lesson on water management in the Delta and a relaxing meal at a fun restaurant.

HIKE DIFFICULTY:  Moderate

ELEVATION GAIN:  Approximately 1000 feet.  You climb 400 feet from Muir Beach to the ridge, hike along the ridge, and then descend 400 feet to Tennessee Beach.  Then you go back the way you came.  With other ups and downs the total elevation gain is around 1000 feet.   The cooler temperatures will make the elevation gain feel more like 966 feet.  

HIKE DISTANCE:  6.6 miles total – out and back  

GENERAL LOCATION:  The trail head is at Muir Beach on the Pacific Coast, west of Sausalito.  

HIKE DESCRIPTION:   With the heat bearing down in Lincoln, take a refreshing trip to the coast for a 6.6 mile hike overlooking the blue waters of the Pacific.  This hike is relatively short with spectacular scenery.  (See pictures below.)  The trail is the Pacific Coast trail (not to be confused with the Pacific Crest trail in the Sierras) and is right on the coast overlooking the Pacific where the temperatures will be refreshing and a breeze you can count on.  Wildflowers were in bloom on the May 16th prehike.   After about 3 miles we will drop down to Tennessee Beach for our lunch break.  Bring a towel (or something similar) to use on the beach sand while eating lunch.   And after lunch we will retrace our steps to the north and now view the Pacific on our left side.  The ocean view will likely look even more beautiful when viewed in this direction.  

After the hike we will take a short drive to Sausalito and view the Bay Model.  My goal would be to be there by 3:00 PM.  A 9 minute video is constantly running.  Self guided tours via headsets ($3.00 charge) will be available or we can merely investigate the huge model in whatever time we have.  There is no admission charge.

BAY MODEL DESCRIPTION

At two acres, this indoor scale model of the San Francisco Bay and its tributaries is one of the largest in the world.  To understand how the water flows in the Bay, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed the San Francisco Bay Model in 1957.  The hydraulic model, the largest of its kind, was used as a scientific research tool from 1958-2000 to evaluate circulation and flow characteristics of the water within the Bay and its related waterways. Assessments could be made regarding the impact of man's activities such as dredging navigation channels, filling portions of the Bay, diverting water, introducing wastes and oil spills.

The limits of the model encompass the Pacific Ocean extending 17 miles beyond the Golden Gate, San Francisco Bay, San Pablo Bay, Suisun Bay and all of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to Verona, 17 miles north of Sacramento on the north, and to Vernalis, 32 miles south of Stockton on the San Joaquin River on the south.  Features that affect the water flow of the San Francisco Bay and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta are reproduced, including ship channels, rivers, creeks, sloughs, the canals in the Delta, fills, major wharfs, piers, slips, dikes, bridges, and breakwaters.

Here is the link to the website.

http://www.spn.usace.army.mil/bmvc/index.html

LUNCH:   Bring your lunch.  A lunch break is planned for mid hike at Tennessee Beach.  Also a towel is recommended to use on the sand.  

TRAVEL TIME / DISTANCE / PARKING:  Travel time is approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes and 120 miles from Lincoln.  We will stop for dinner prior to returning home to Lincoln.  Suggested contribution for riders is $18.  Detailed driving directions will be handed out to all drivers.   

HIKE LEADER / SWEEP:  Dennis Ratay / Margaret Ratay  

SPECIAL NOTES:

            FACILITIES AVAILABLE:  A comfort station is available at the trailhead (I think).   We will stop at American Canyon for a pit stop on the morning drive.

            PREPARATIONS FOR HIKE:  Hiking boots and poles recommended.  Be prepared for any type of weather - bring layers and sun screen, a hat and some water. 

          RISKS:   Weather on the coast can be unpredictable, so plan for anything from fog to sun. 

          QUESTIONS:   Call Dennis Ratay at 543-9935.  

 MEETING TIME:  7:00 AM  -- Leaving time: 7:15 AM.   We will not return to Lincoln until 8 or 9 o’clock in the evening.

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