PHOENIX LAKE/PILOT KNOB HIKE

PHOENIX LAKE/PILOT KNOB HIKE

Leader: Ken Grafham

Leader Email: kenneth.grafham@gmail.com

Leader Phone: 425-420-6961

Meeting Date and Day: Saturday, February 27, 2021

Meeting Time: 10:00 AM

Departure Time: 10:15 AM

Meeting Place:  We'll meet across from 123 Crown Road, Kentfield.
Take the San Anselmo/Sir Francis Drake Blvd exit off of 101.  Turn left onto College Ave, and after about a block turn right onto Goodhill Rd.  Stay on Goodhill until Crown Rd.  Park anywhere along the house side.  We'll be returning farther up the street.  Google Maps Link

DRIVERS & PASSENGERS MUST HAVE PRE-REGISTERED.

Rating:  Level 3

Mileage: 8.2 miles

Elevation Gain: 1500 ft

COVID-19 Precautions:  Most Bay Area counties have relaxed gathering restrictions.  Below are the regulations that still must be followed:

• We need to stay at least 6' apart at all times;
• You need to keep whatever type of mask you prefer around your neck at all times to be prepared to put it in place at a moment's notice when encountering others.  Some prefer to wear a mask at all times - even better!  The easiest solution some of us have found is to wear a bandana around your neck, shifting it up over your nose and mouth when passing or speaking with others;
• Ideally, unless you're members of one household, there should be one passenger in the back right seat only.  Drivers and passengers can decide what they feel comfortable with.  PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED A RIDE AND/OR CAN TAKE A PASSENGER, AND WHAT YOUR COMFORT LEVEL IS.

Description:  This is a varied and beautiful hike into the Phoenix lake watershed. It also will give us a view of Lakes Lagunitas and Bon Tempe from Pilot Knob. We’ll start on Crown Road in Kentfield, on a ridge looking up at Mt. Tam to the south. Down Harry Allen trail to Phoenix lake, we’ll walk alongside the lake for a mile or so. There’s a port-a-potty at the turn onto Phoenix Lake Road, and we’ll pause for a bio-break and to enjoy the view, then continue on Phoenix Lake Road and hop onto Yolanda Trail. After a good uphill stretch, we’ll have a panoramic view of Mt. Tam, Phoenix Lake and wildflowers along the way. Be prepared to take a few pictures. At Six Points, we’ll meander down Hidden Meadow Trail onto Shaver Grade road, where we’ll be walking through oak and redwood forest for a mile or so. At Phoenix Junction, we’ll jump onto Fish Gulch Trail and head up to Lake Lagunitas and the Pilot Knob Trail. At 1,800 feet, Pilot Knob gives a great view of the valleys north of Mt. Tam and an opportunity for photos. We’ll head down Eldridge Grade to Tucker Trail and view lovely waterfalls and streams along the way to the Bill Allen Trail and back up to the trailhead at Crown Road.

Bring/Wear:  Water, snacks, and lunch, and rain gear if the forecast calls for rain - and your MASK.

Rain Policy: Hike will take place rain or shine.

Driving Distance: 40 miles total there and back

Total Bridge Tolls: $7

Car Pool Fees: $7