The Marin Headlands has lots of hiking trails, great views of the Pacific, and in some places views of the Golden Gate. What more could we ask? That it is **accessible by public transport**? Yes, it is!

We will begin this hike with the Morning Sun trail, which goes almost straight up from a bus stop on Highway 101 via stairs and switchbacks. The reward at the top is access to several trails. We will hike the Bobcat, Miwok, Wolf Ridge, Coastal, and Lagoon trails, as well as going up to Hill 88 for lunch. The photo above is the view from Hill 88. We will pass by an interesting Very High Frequency Omni-Directional Range (VOR) phallic symbol used by the FAA for navigation and Rodeo Lagoon, which has restrooms and drinking water.

This is a **challenging all-day adventure**, approximately **9 miles in 5 hours** with breaks. **Elevation gain is approximately 2000 feet** and well worth it. **You are responsible for determining if you are capable of doing this hike and keeping up with other hikers**. It is not easy but is one of my favorites.

Bring drinking **water and lunch**. It can be windy and cool but can be quite warm when hiking uphill so **dress in layers**. There is minimal shade. Most trails are wide with a dirt surface. Please wear **hiking boots** with good traction and optionally bring hiking poles.

We will **meet at the Morning Sun trailhead** near the Spencer Avenue Bus Pad just north of the Golden Gate Bridge **at 10:45**. Golden Gate Transit bus 150 from SF to San Rafael stops at the Spencer Avenue Bus Pad. It runs from downtown SF, along Van Ness and Lombard, and stops at the Golden Gate Bridge toll plaza on Highway 101. If that route is not convenient for you, perhaps you can connect to it from a SFMTA bus. For example, bus 28 stops at the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center, which is a short distance away from toll plaza bus stop for Golden Gate Transit bus 150. If you are coming from Marin or further north, please check your buses and other methods to get there. For example, the 150 bus from San Rafael to SF arrives at the Spencer Ave Bus Pad at 10:06.

Southbound buses stop at the parking lot and trailhead on the west side of Highway 101. Northbound buses stop on the opposite side, east of 101, slightly south of the trailhead and we walk through a short tunnel to reach the trailhead. Golden Gate Transit accepts Clipper Cards but charges by zone so be sure to tap both when you get on the bus and off so you will not be charged the entire route.

**I will take the 150 San Rafael bus** that leaves the Salesforce Transit Center at 9:59 am, stops at the Golden Gate Bridge toll plaza at 10:33, and **arrives at the Spencer Avenue Bus Pad at 10:40**. We will start the hike soon thereafter. These times are of course subject to actual bus schedules, over which I have no control. This is a loop hike so we finish at the Spencer Avenue Bus Pad. **We should finish approximately 3:30-4:00** and can return to our origins by bus.

If you must drive, there are 2 small parking lots, one on the east side of 101 just south of the north-bound bus stop (labelled Spencer East Park & Ride on the Google map) and the other on the west side of 101 just south of the south-bound bus stop (labelled Park & Ride on the Google map). There is no guarantee you will easily find a spot available so please plan sufficient time.

If you have never hiked in Marin, this is a good introduction. If you are a Marin Headlands veteran, maybe you have not hiked this route. In either case, it is a fun challenging day.

**No pets please.**

**Please be on time** as we will start walking at 10:45 sharp and will not delay the group waiting for people who may end up being No Shows.

I will watch the weather and cancel Monday 12/9/24 by 7 pm if rain is forecast. **Please check for a message in meetup Monday evening** so you do not show up if the hike is cancelled due to **rain**.

Boomer Women w/ Time & Sense of Humor, a Member Driven Group

Boomer Women with Time & Sense of Humor . . . Pandemic Style

Social Activities

Baby Boomers

Make New Friends

Single Professionals

Outdoors

Social

Women's Social

Walking

Healthy Living

Retired Women

Marin Headlands hike

Hiking

This content is available only to members

Share this event

Marin Headlands hike

Details