Mt. Tam/Julia Pheiffer hiking, CA

“Hi everyone. Lookingglass & I will be traveling to Pacific Grove, CA. We are looking to hike Mt. Tam, n. of SF on July 14th, and maybe Julia Pheiffer, the trail with the waterfall on the 15th.

If there is anyone that lives near these destinations, and wants to go, let me know. We are open to suggestions too.”

“LH, I may be up for a hike at Juila Pfieffer. It's too early for me to commit at this time but it sound good.

Bill”

“We'll have to get Hikerchick to come along also.”

“Pantscandy, you mean hikerchic5, sure, that would be nice. Don't scare her off now, lol.

Don't worry about making a committment, since we will be going there anyway. You can decide at anytime.”

“Hey LH-

Tam is across the bay from me...

it's a drive up mountain (doesn't mean it not beautiful, but...).

I just did a great hike in that area--Pantoll Ranger station to Steep Ravine trail to Stinson Beach to Matt Davis to Pantoll. Great trail diversity, a hell of a climb (probably on par with tam), and just flat out beautiful...

Either way, if I am free that weekend, it'd be fun to meet up.”

“Now see, gosh darn it! Wouldn't you know it! When there's a hike in my area and when I could meet some of you guys...LH, pantscandy (finally), and bongofreek, I'm off whitewater rafting! That exact same weekend! Shoot!

Ok, ok. count me in for the next one for sure!”

“bongofreak & candypants, we can talk about a place to hike on the coast. Dunk reminded me that since it is July, it is going to be hot for hiking (Mt. Tam & others), and maybe I should stay close to the coast. That Julia Pheiffer hike has a falls that goes onto the beach, though I don't think you ever reach the beach from the trail. I will have to look up the Julia Pheiffer hike to see if there is elevation gain that will kill us.

If you have any suggestions, let me know.

hikerchic5, so close, yet so far. Whitewater rafting??? Okay, we will let you off the hook this one time, lol.”

“Pantscandy, what area are you from. I'd like to pick a place if I can that it close to both you & bongofreek.

Bongofreek, I see you don't have a pic posted. Would I look for a man carrying bongos, or someone that looks like a freek? Just askin, lol?”

“Lipstick hiker, I think it stays pretty cool along the coast even though it's summer. Pantscandy should know. I believe he lives there in the bayarea somewhere but not sure. I'm going hiking at Pt Reyes tomorrow! That's near there.

You guys have fun!”

“Hola Amigos!

I live in the beautiful little hamlet of Walnut Creek. You know, where the Ingles live in their little house on the prairie. It's approx. 25 miles east of SF and is hotter than a titches wit in summer. Not as hot as Hikerchik5's town though. I assume Bongofreek is from Berkeley (they're all freeky over there). As for Mt.Tam, yes it can be hot and it could be cool with the fog. Pfeiffer is the same. The fog acts in strange ways along the coast. It can be 100 degrees where I live but only 50 in SF. One never knows.

I'm beginning to think Hikerchik doesn't exist. She's backed out of SO MANY hikes planned here in the bay area. Shame on you! Anyway, are you going to Pt. Reyes with Luvmonkey? Man, that guy is a hiking fool-always posting hikes. Golly Gee!

Also, LH, are you two planning to car camp in Pacific Grove or are you staying with friends, relatives, etc...? Just what is your reason for coming down here? I want answers, dagnabit!!!!

Cheers,
Mr. Pantscandy”

“MR. Pantscandy, I will be staying in a hotel in Pacific Grove. We are coming down for vacation. I was just there last month. I love it there. The town is covered with windswept cypress trees, and the coast there is beautiful for sitting on the dunes with a bottle of wine, watching the sunset.

Hmmm, I forgot about the coast being foggy in the summer. You and bongofreek don't have to travel down to Julia Pheiffer. I can go up to San Francisco. I am going to look at my California hiking book, and rethink where to hike.

btw, MR. Pantscandy, I saw your hiking site. You have some great pictures there. I glanced through the stories, but I want to go back and read them thoroughly. I was very impressed. Your site looks very professional. As for hikerchic5, she can't be elusive forever, lol. Maybe we should change the trip from hiking to white water rafting, lol, wink, wink.

hikerchic5, I was hiking in Pt. Reyes last month. I did the Alamere Falls hike with Dunk & Obi Wan Canoli.”

“Alright Pantscandy! That's it! I've had it with you! The next hike you go on.....you call me! Write & I'll give you the number! And yes, I "did" go to Pt. Reyes yesterday planning on going with luvmonkey's group but took the wrong damn turn off & was late & just ended up going by myself.

Lipstick hiker,I saw those pics which were very nice! I'd like to do that hike too someday!”

“Pantscandy, in my last post, I meant--the next time you go on "a hike"...you call me. I guess I was typing too darn fast. :)”

“Hey everyone-

Just got back from the Sierra--sorry for the lag in posting.

LH, I do need to get a picture posted, maybe from this weekend's trip. Bongo carrying freek is a good approximation...though now that I am all corporate and stuff, I guess my hair is a bit too short, lol.

I am in Bizerkeley, which is definitely my type of town.

That hike I mentioned--the one that starts at stinson beach might be a good one...by the coast and cool last time I did it, though you climb far enough that you'd get out of the fog pretty quick.

Let me know what ya think!”

“bongo, I hope you had a great time in the Sierras. I am going to try and look up that Stinson Beach hike. I don't know much about Berkely, except that it's a college town.

As for posting a pic, Phil is out of town until the 27th, and posted that he probably won't get pictures posted until July 1st. So, go ahead and send a pic to him for posting later on.

I didn't get a chance to look up hikes, because I've been motorcycling all weekend long, but I'll get on it soon. Keep in touch.”

“LH, thanks for the kind words regarding my site. Professional? Jeez, No! Just a little thing I threw together. My other sites were a lot nicer but have since been yanked my server.

Sheila, I understood your first post. Your second post just confused me. I'll let you know if I get group together for a hike. I can't be calling up married chicas to hiking anymore. One irate husband is enough. Now, if you were single.... :)

As for hiking at JP or Tam, I'm easy. Hell, lets do both! Do think Dunk and/or Obi would be interested?”

“LH, after a long hot day of hiking around Mt. Tam head over to Muir Beach. If you like nude sunbathing just walk around the point to your right where the nudie beach is. I stumbed on this place by accident and didn't do any bathing but did enjoy the scenery.

Or if you prefer, drive up the Coast Highway roughly 10 miles to the little crossroads of Olema, CA. and spend a night in the Point Reyes Seashore Lodge. It's rustic Cailornia plush with private hot tubs on your balcony, etc. You have to get reservations because it's booked weeks in advance. You might get lucky though this late, call (415)663-9000. Prices are steep but tell your husband you're worth it. There are restaurants nearby.

Another good one is the Old Milano Place about 40 miles further up the Highway. You look down 200 foot cliffs right into the water. I don't have the telephone number for that one right now but if I find the brochure I'll post it here. Milano is close to the grave of Laura Fish. Her grave is well worth finding just for the photo ops.
It's looks out over the Pacific in this gorgeous grove of trees.

I'm a South Carolina resident but if I could live anywhere in the world, one of my top picks would be somewhere along that stretch of road.”

“trip report bongo?”

“Just to continue Solitary Hiker's digression...the whole Tomales Bay (Olema/Inverness/Pt. Reyes Station/Marshall) area has lots of great B&Bs. There's a great one in Inverness called Dancing Coyote, which has its own little beach. There's also an awesome restaurant in Inverness--Manka's, which is pretty pricy but well worth it for a special occasion.

Probably won't be around the weekend of the hike, but if you want some advice from a long time Bay Area hiker here it is: pick two or three options, then decide on the morning of the hike. If it's really foggy, you'll want to go inland (e.g., China Camp or, further north, Sugarloaf Ridge). If it's mild with maybe a little fog, Mt. Tam is ideal. If it's hot, you'll want to go as close to the coast as possible (e.g., Marin Headlands, Tomales Point).

There's one other great destination that not as many people know about: Montara Mountain, near Pacifica. You can approach either from Pacifica (San Pedro Valley County Park) or the beach (Montara State Beach), or do a shuttle if you have a couple of cars. On a clear day, the view from the top (and on the way up) is spectacular. Check it out.

Also, JP is gorgeous, and you have to see the waterfall, but for longer hiking you should go to Andrew Molera--it's a bigger park, and has an extensive network of trails. It also has a 3-mile long beach that's a mile in from the road, so a) there's plenty of room to spread out, and b) it doesn't get all that crowded in the first place.”

“pisgahforest-

it's over on the "Desolation Bound this weekend" thread...”

“Bongo I'll have to check out your trip report from the Sierras. I've never hiked in the desolation wilderness before but plan on it this year.

Solitary hiker, I've heard about those nude beaches but haven't made it over there yet. Although, I'd be like you, just an observer. :)

Pantscandy, what made you think that I was married? I'm as single as they come!

Boy, tehipite, if I have any questions about the bayarea, I know just who to ask! That info will come in handy for a time that I've often thought about which going on a hike to the beach, then lunch, then a game of frisbie, and after that stay in a nice b&b and take a nice long bath & go for a nice dinner. I've only "thought" about doing this either by myself or with someone. One of these days I'm gonna do it, damn it!

LH, I like your idea also about staying in Pacific Grove with all those cypress trees, sitting on the sand, sipping wine and even more wine, & watching the sunset. Sounds very romantic. :)”

“Solitary hiker, I'm not a fan of nudie beaches. I already know what people look like nude, unless I stumble across a three-breasted women or a man with 3 maybe 4 testicles. Now that would be something to see, but I don't think those people would be sunning themselves on an open beach, lol. Thanks for your suggestions, though.

Tehipite, thank you for your suggestions too. I will be spending the whole trip at Pacific Grove and traveling from there. You are certainly welcome to join us if your situation changes.

When I travel to CA, I always bring other hiking options with me dependent on the weather. It's a great idea, thank you. Tomales Point does sound intriguing. I started it once, but the fog rolled in real heavy, could see a damn thing. I will look up the other areas you suggested.

Hey, bongofreek & Pantscandy, how does doing Tomales Point sound (the trail with all the Elk)? They are always fun to see. I read that going all the way to Tomales Pt. makes you feel like you are on an island.”

“hikerchic5, Pacific Grove is romantic place. You don't even have to try to be that way; the place exudes it.”

“LH, funny you should mention strange looking nude people. At Muir Beach I saw a woman with two huge udders. I think but couldn't be sure (I didn't want to stare!)that she has multiply teats. Might want to check it out. Maybe you'll see some men there with elephantine "trunks".”

“Hey Sheila - did you decide to get up early for that Yosemite permit? Make plans to go? I think that was in the California High Sierra club... but I was under a different moniker... can you guess which?

I'm always up for an opportunity to try a new hike... wish I'd have known about your Pt. Reyes this past weekend - you'd have convinced me to co, for sure. Right now, I'm considering an early weekend, and maybe take off to SeKi... actually, would love to go, but don't know the possible hikes there well enough to commit to solo... but I might go anyway... any interested parties? (party's?) [snicker]”

“obi, where did you stand on hiking with me & Lookingglass? There is still time to think about it if you are unsure. We may do Tomales Point and have a back up incase of heavy fog. It will be fairly easy hiking. Keep it in mind.

Right now, all I can think of are your motorcycling trips through CA, and wish I had my bike down there. We may truck them down to the northern tip of CA, ride around the area & back to WA or ride to CA & truck back. I don't think we will have the time to go down to the Napa area.

I'll e-mail you in the future about biking CA.”

“Hey obi! How are you? BTW, I love this site! Thank you for introducing me. I can't wait to meet some of the people here. Everyone seems so nice!

You know, I didn't even think to ask anyone else on this site if they'd like to join me on that Pt. Reyes hike last Sat. because I was meeting a huge group already. Next time I go, I'll post it here for sure!
Maybe pantscandy, or some of the other people from northern Calif. would've came...even Lipstick hiker might have driven down.

So, what's your screen name on the sierra site? I don't remember. I'm pretty sure you're not tehipite or extravatrekker, right?”

“hikerchic5, I live in Washington State. I will be in CA on vacation.”

“Bongo & Pantscandy, Tomales looks nice to do. What do you think? I am looking for a back up hike also. I noticed Mt. Diablo's Nimitz Way trail looked interesting. Is Mt. Diablo far enough away from the bay to not get socked in with fog?

The Nimitz Way trail is 10 miles/4.25 hrs. It's rated a 2 for difficulty & a 9 for beauty in my Foghorn California hiking book by Tom Steinstra, page 352. Is that too long? How hot could it get over there in July? I'm still searching for a backup hike to Tomalas. Give me hints on what areas to look in.

I'm looking for a trail that will be cool if it's hot, maybe something with tree coverage & views. I'm also looking for a trail that is about 4-6 hrs approx.”

“Diablo will be hot in July. It's really close to Pantscandy's home town (Walnut Creek) and over the hills from the bay (them parts is over 100 degrees today, I think).

But it's a beautiful area...there is a great hike--some book I have calls it the "grand loop" which circumnavigates the mountain and then climbs the peak--a great practice hike for my Rainer climb (except there's no ice to play on).

If you are looking for cool on a hot day, i think Marin is still your best bet. Tomales would be great, the Marin headlands are fantastic (and usually sea breezy enough even when hot).

We haven't been getting too socked in over here on the east bay--but from what I hear from the locals, it's been an unusual summer...

Will do some more diggin'”

“bongo, 100 degrees! Holy guacamoli batman! I don't even want to stand, never mind hike in that weather. Wow!

I will take your advise and look around the Marin Headlands area, thanks.”

“yeah, it'd be a tad too toasty to trek...

Marin is cool, fog ain't that bad anyways...”

“Yeah, you want stay away from Mt. Diablo in the summer. I live less than a mile from the entry gate and as I write this now (6:15) it's 103 on my back patio. Cheese and Rice!!! Please, lets do anything west of Berkely. Hothothothot!”

“Tomales Pt. as a first choice wouldn't be hot, would it?

Pantscandy, cheese & rice???? I'm afraid to ask. I've heard the saying it's hot enough to fry an egg, melt cheese would work too, but rice? Should I be bringing a wok, lol?”

“Cheese and Rice = JESUS !$%&ING CRIST!!!”

“Calm down! I heard of macaroni & cheese, but not cheese & rice. I'm I crazy, who else has heard of cheese & rice. If it's your own special creation, then I can understand, sort of, but that's not a well know dish.”

“It's so hot in my apt. now, I can't even form sentences, lol.”

“You still don't get it!!! I sometimes use the phrase "cheese & rice" instead of saying "jesus christ". Comprende? Say them both aloud. They sound similar enough that I can swear in church and get away with it. Blessed is he who fart in heaven. :)”

“Pantscandy, I told you I was overcome with heat in my apt., lol. Soooo, I shouldn't bring a wok, lol?

If you get tired of cheese & rice, yummm, try "bees on ice", no wok necessary, lol.”

“Nimitz Way is in Tilden Park, not Mt. Diablo; it's not as hot (Diablo does get very hot in summer) but it's an extremely popular trail, with lots of traffic. Pretty, though.

If you're going to be driving from Pacific Grove, you might think about some of the redwoody parks in the south bay--Big Basin (E1 South Bay in Stienstra), or Forest of Nisene Marks or Wilder Ranch (F1 in Stienstra). Lots of good hiking, and a much shorter drive. (Tomales Pt. trailhead is 1.25 hours from where I am, and Pacific Grove is probably 2.5 hours+ further south from me, so it's a long drive.) Anyway, they would be good backup hikes--less fog potential than Pt. Reyes, but not so far inland as to be really hot.”

“tephipite, thank you very much for your advice. I think I will go with Tomales Pt. as a first pick, and look amongst your pics for a second backup hike. In Big Basin, "Berry Creek Falls" looks real nice.

I don't mind driving up north since bongo & Mr. Pants both live near each other. Later that day, it may force me to eat dinner in North Beach at my favorite restaurant, Michael Angelos, lol.”

“LH, here's some pics of Berry Ck Falls numbers 25-27 are within a half mile. However, in midsummer there wont be much flow.”

“Dunk, thank you for the great pics of the trail, and the waterfalls. I enjoyed your other bay area hiking pics also.”

“Last call for hiking Pt. Tomales in Pt. Reyes. Pantscandy are you out there? I'm e-mailing bongofreak to check on him too. I have to leave this thursday, so I have to straighten out details if it's a go still.”

“LH,

I think I'm in, is the hike still on Sunday? what time?”

“sorry I've been MIA on this...my girlfriend volunteered us to house sit this weekend. Not sure if that means I am stuck in Berkeley or not, but I am assuming that I am. Totally bummed that I might not make it. Will let you know as the week progresses, but it doesn't look good at this point.”

“bongofreek, that's okay. If things change, the offer is still open.

Dunk, Sunday would be good if it's good for you. Is 10am okay with you? If not, let me know. Do you think there maybe early am fog? I guess it's impossible to tell right? I'm thinking that Pt. Reyes may have certain fog patterns.

Where do you think we should meet up?”

“LH,

Sunday's good, why don't we meet at the Bear Valley Visitor Center, it's on the way and a good spot to visit and get info, including weather info, that way we can make last minute adjustments if necessary.”

“Hola amigos! Yes, I'm still on for the hike (I think). Bear Valley visitor center sounds like a good place to meet. So we decided on Sunday? What time? I'll likely be wearing green nylon shorts, white tennis shoes, white ball cap with name Furman on it. Probably will be carrying a green fanny pack. Driving a blue Chevy Silverado. Might have a p#ssy ass goatee. I don't know.
My email is wgmchugh@yahoo.com if you need to contact me. See y'all there.”

“Dunk, sounds good to me. I'll have my WA/OR hiking book with me for reference if we change hikes at the last minute.

Pantscandy, I'm glad you saw my post. I was trying to find your e-mail address, but couldn't. I'm leaving Thurday am of this week. If you decide if you are going after Thursday, it may be good to let Dunk know so that we can expect you. We are going to meet at 10am.”