- This event has passed.
MDAS Field Trip — Five Brooks & Bear Valley
October 15, 2022 @ 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Free
Five Brooks/Bear Valley, West Marin County
Saturday October 15, 9:00am – 1pm
This trip visits two inland areas near Point Reyes, environments of trees and meadows that are miles from the windswept dunes. Five Brooks is a reliable location for California Quail. All sorts of interesting birds show up around the pond at Five Brooks: Wood Ducks, Wilson’s Snipe, a Merlin hawking dragonflies. Some years there are good numbers of Varied Thrush at Bear Valley.Weather is unpredictable, so dress in layers. Bring water and trail snacks.
Hike Rating: Category 2 – Moderate. Walking on mostly level trails, about a mile at each site.
Elevation change: Minor
Leader: Maureen Lahiff, 510.484.6529,
Meet: Five Brooks Trailhead, which is about 4 miles south of the intersection of Sir Francis Drake Blvd and California Highway 1 in Olema.
GPS: 37.9974, -122.7579
This hike is limited to 20 participants. All field trips require registration and may have a limit on the total number of participants. Participants must acknowledge the MDAS Liability Waiver (available during registration). Register for this event HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/five-brooks-bear-valley-tickets-419665329297
Directions: After crossing the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, take Hwy 101 north to Lucas Valley Road. Take Lucas Valley Road west about 10 miles until it ends at Nicasio Valley Road. Turn right, go through Nicasio, and turn left at the T-intersection with Point Reyes-Petaluma Road. In about 3 miles, you will come to the intersection with the gaily painted Platform Bridge. Continue straight; when the road ends at Sir Francis Drake Blvd, turn right. At the flashing stop light in Olema, turn left on Hwy 1. In about 4 miles, turn right on the gravel road to Five Brooks Trailhead. Drive all the way to the end, curving around to the right. (This route is about 5 miles longer than taking Sir Francis Drake all the way, but can actually take less time.)
There are park-style pit toilets at Five Brooks and full-service restrooms at Bear Valley Visitor Center, about 5 miles away.
(Varied Thrush photo by Isaac Aronow)