Mountain Log

2nd Quarter Newsletter
A Letter From The President

Greetings to all friends of Mt. Tam! Welcome to the Friends of Mt. Tam quarterly newsletter, the Mountain Log!

With the exception being the East Peak Visitor Center, all programs / events are back to normal! The Gravity Car Barn is staffed every weekend with a very steady stream of visitors. Docent Led Hikes are going out 3-4 times a month (https://www.friendsofmttam.org/events/list/). The Trail Crew continues to work hard, while having fun, every third Tuesday. You can check out their current efforts where the Canopy View Trail intersects the Panoramic Trail (below the CA Alpine Club). The Astronomy program will continue to operate via Zoom events this year with the goal of finding more volunteers to assist with the groundwork to get the program back into the Mountain Theater in 2003.

Richard Torney continues to lead the refurbishment of the Pantoll Campground Interpretive Stage. Be on the lookout for a “Grand Opening” this spring. The FMT Board is actively working with the Mt. Tam State Park Operations / Maintenance team to identify and fund critical infrastructure that is not part of their current State Parks budget. Think Wheel Barrows, Chain Saws, etc. We continue to get very positive comments and feedback from the visitors who have completed the Pantoll Quad (https://www.friendsofmttam.org/wp-content/uploads/PanToll-Quad-Brochure-03022021.pdf). Work continues to reestablish the Verna Dunshee trail Interpretive signs/displays. This trail is truly a gem that both locals and visitors from far away enjoy strolling. Plus, it is ADA accessible.

If you have not recently renewed your membership, please take a moment to do soon the FMT website. The minimum membership tier is the Bootjack Buddy($25.00). Maybe this year you would consider making a larger donation by joining the Pantoll Pal ($50.00) or the Dipsea Diva/Dude ($100) tiers. Your commitment to Mt. Tam State Park (via Friends of Mt. Tam) is deeply appreciated! We truly have something very special in our backyard! https://www.friendsofmttam.org/get-involved/join-us.html.

See you on the Mountain!

Brian Muir
Friends of Mt. Tam Annual Meeting
FMT’s Annual Meeting was held in person at the California Alpine Club on Saturday, March 12, 2022 for the first time since 2019. Over 50 members and guests were in attendance. The joy and excitement of all being back together was energizing. Brian Muir gave an overview of what FMT has been working on during Covid and since our 2021 Annual Meeting meeting via ZOOM.

Bay Area Ranger Vince Anibale welcomed us all via a recorded message and thanked FMT members for their support of Mt. Tamalpais State Park. He recognized our purpose and stewardship of the State Park. Ranger Tom Frazier spoke of programs in the State Park, his own work with us in the Park and his appreciation of all that FMT does for and with the Park.

Our Guest Speaker was MMWD Senior Park Ranger Matt Cerkel spoke on The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) on Mt. Tam, A Lasting Legacy. Matt presented a video on the CCC which was part of President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal program. Matt’s presentation showed us the legacy left to us by the CCC’s projects which include the Mountain Theater, the Gardner Lookout, Pantoll Ranger Station and campground, Bootjack Picnic Area and many trails.

Matt originally gave this presentation to the Mill Valley Historical Society in January. You find a recording of Matt’s presentation on MVHS’s YouTube under First Wednesday with Ranger Matt Cerkel: The Civilian Conservation Corps on Mt. Tam.

For more information on the CCC and its work on Mt. TAM, visit California Department of Parks and Recreation (parks.ca.gov) and go to the link, Mt. Tamalpais CCC Heritage Adventure.

Welcome to our New Members who joined FMT in February and March of this year.
Cheryl Brandon
Ann Casey
Victoria Castillo
Debbie Genzler
Nancy Glasenk
Robert Harlow
Alana Hickey
Debra Hoitomt
Tad Jacobs
Elizabeth McKee
Dan Smiley
Julia Stenderup
Robin Warren

Thank you for joining FMT, we appreciate your support!

We would also like to say welcome back to some former members

Mark Alcino
Anthony Barreiro
Karen Betzner
Linda Bissell
Chris Gospodnetich
Brad Rippe
William Shapiro

We missed you!

We look forward to seeing all of you on the Mountain.

Your Membership is Important to us.

As a member of FMT, your dues and donations provide funding for projects which enhance the experience of visitors to the State Park. If you are not currently a member, please take a moment to select a Membership Level from the list below and join now.

Click here to purchase FMT membership
Mt. Tamalpais State Park

Docent Led Hiking Calendar

May – June 2022

Details For All Hikes

NO REGISTRATION OR SIGN UP NECCESSARY. Everyone welcome! You do not need to be a Friends of Mt Tam member to participate. Just show up!
CANCELLATIONS: Rain, red flag days, winds above 30 mph, and unforeseen circumstances will cancel. Check the Friends of Mt Tam Facebook for updates: https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfMtTam
PARKING: We strongly recommend carpooling and arriving 15 minutes early to find parking. Certain parking areas require a $8 fee (Pantoll, Bootjack, and East Peak). Bring exact change!
WATER: Bring at least two bottles of water on hot days. Most hikes do not pass by public drinking water sources.
FOOD: Unless stated otherwise in the hike description, there will not be a formal lunch stop. Bring your own snacks.
PROTECTION: Ticks, mosquitoes, horse flies and yellow jackets are present, but not abundant.
STURDY BOOTS: Trails are uneven, rocky and can be very steep in places. Sandals, sneakers and running shoes are not recommended.
COVID PRECAUTIONS: Frequent hand sanitation, physical distancing, and no sharing of gear or maps. Visitors need to be fully prepared to provide for all of their own needs, including a map (printed or downloaded), hand sanitizer, tissues, and first aid supplies.
HIKE DOCENTS have been trained under the California State Parks Volunteers In the Park Program (VIPP).

May 8 (Sunday) / Brian Muir
The (not-so) Hidden Treasures of Mt Tamalpais: Experience multiple geologic and growth eco-systems while traversing the south side of Mt Tamalpais. Visit historic West Point Inn and Mountain Theater.
TENTATIVE ROUTE: Old Stage Road – Rock Springs Trail – Old Mine Trail.
Part of the FMT Pantoll Quad / https://www.friendsofmttam.org/activities/hiking/
DISTANCE: 5 miles / Moderately Strenuous
MEET: Pantoll Parking Area
DEPARTURE: 9am departure. Group should return no later than 1:00pm.

May 18 (Wednesday Morning) / Maria De La Fuente
Finding Balance in Nature by finding connections between us and the surrounding trees
TENTATIVE ROUTE: Matt Davis – Steep Ravine – Dipsea – Alpine trail – Back to Bootjack
Part of the FMT Pantoll Quad / https://www.friendsofmttam.org/activities/hiking/
DISTANCE: 5 miles / Moderately Strenuous
MEET: Bootjack Parking Area
DEPARTURE: 10:00am Departure. Group should return no later than 2:00pm

June 1 (Wednesday) / Franklin Young
See Muir Woods without any parking hassle and without the crowds. Along the way we will point out some historic markers. Bring your lunch!
TENTATIVE ROUTE: Canopy Trail – Muir Woods- Plevin Cut – Alice Eastwood Camp (lunch) – Sierra Trail – Mountain Home Parking Lot
MEET: Mountain Home Parking Area (parking is also available across the street on the Gravity Car Fire Road)
DISTANCE: 5 miles / Moderately Strenuous
DEPARTURE: 10am Departure – Group should return no later than 2:30
LUNCH: This hike will have a lunch break – bring your lunch

June 5 (Sunday) / Franklin Young
Enjoy the panoramic vistas of West Peak and its history. Bring your lunch!
TENTATIVE ROUTE: Bootjack – Mountaintop – Arturo – Potrero Meadows – Benstein – Mountain Theater (lunch) – Bootjack
MEET: Bootjack Parking Area
DISTANCE: 7 miles / Moderately Strenuous
DEPARTURE: 9am Departure – Group should return no later than 2:30
LUNCH: This hike will have a lunch break – bring your lunch

June 8 (Wednesday Morning) / Maria De La Fuente
Finding Balance in Nature by finding connections between us and the surrounding trees
TENTATIVE ROUTE: Matt Davis – Steep Ravine – Dipsea – Alpine trail – Back to Bootjack
Part of the FMT Pantoll Quad / https://www.friendsofmttam.org/activities/hiking/
DISTANCE: 5 miles / Moderately Strenuous
MEET: Bootjack Parking Area
DEPARTURE: 10:00am Departure. Group should return no later than 2:00pm

June 8 (Wednesday Evening) / Franklin Young
Learn about the “Crookest Railroad In The World”
TENTATIVE ROUTE: Hogback – Matt Davis – Nora – West Point Inn – Old Railroad Grade – Gravity Car Grade – Mountain Home
MEET: Mountain Home Parking Area
DISTANCE: 5 miles / Moderately Strenuous
DEPARTURE: 5:00pm Departure – Group should return no later than 7:30pm

June 12 (Sunday) / Brian Muir
The (not-so) Hidden Treasures of Mt Tamalpais: Experience multiple geologic and growth eco-systems while traversing the south side of Mt Tamalpais. Visit historic West Point Inn and Mountain Theater.
TENTATIVE ROUTE: Old Stage Road – Rock Springs Trail – Old Mine Trail.
Part of the FMT Pantoll Quad / https://www.friendsofmttam.org/activities/hiking/
DISTANCE: 5 miles / Moderately Strenuous
MEET: Pantoll Parking Area
DEPARTURE: 9am departure. Group should return no later than 1:00pm.
Mt Tam Astronomy Program
Six informative programs have been lined up for the 2022 MTAP Speaker Series, these programs will continue to be on our YouTube Channel. The dates and Speakers are as follows:

May 14, 2022 – Imke dePater – UC Berkeley
June 4, 2022 – Lynn Cominsky – Sonoma State
July 9, 2022 – Pascal Lee – Mars Institute
August 6, 2022 – Andrea Antoni – UC Berkeley
September 3, 2022 – Carolyn Porco – NASA
October 1, 2022 – Adrianna Cool – SFSU

Please mark your calendars and keep a look out for FMT Eblasts with additional information.
Pantoll Quad
We have been so pleased with the response to The Mt. Tam Pantoll Quad Program. We received a letter last month from Ingrid and her son Dominik sharing their hiking experiences while completing the Quad Challenge.

Below is a photograph of young Dominik after he received his commemorative pin.

TAMI and the Mountain Play

Our TAMI Trailer will be at the Mountain Theater for all the performances of Hello Dolly! Please come by and say hello. FMT members receive a 20% discount on all merchandise.
Gravity Car Barn

The Gravity Car Barn volunteers have done a terrific job of keeping the Barn open all weekend days. If you have not been in recently, please come by and say hello and take a look at some of the changes made during Covid.
Update on No. 9

Fred Runner reports that after 101 years outside, the sheet metal of Mt. Tamalpais &Muir Woods Engine No.9 was showing its age. Nowhere is the metal more exposed than the cab where the crew worked. All the surfaces saw sun, rain, fog and rust. We had to replace the corroded metal. This meant rebuilding most of the cab, making the damaged parts new, assembling them, to be sure the fit was right, then sending them to be sand blasted and painted so the new steel would not start rusting. When that’s done, the painted steel will be riveted together just like it was a century ago.

The new cab has the original trim pieces, roof supports and roof top vent. The bones are original and so is the shape. In fact, the cab looks like it did in the Heisler shop in 1921. Raw metal awaiting paint and finished construction.
Spring Flowers
The lovely April showers have the creeks running, the grasses glistening and the flowers continuing to pop up. A recent walk in the rain yielded late purple irises, lots of lupine and poppies, miner’s lettuce, horsetails, woodland stars, manzanitas and the sound of croaking frogs.

We love to see what you are discovering on your hikes. Please email Jennifer Lien at jenniferlien650@gmail.com if you have pictures you would like to share with us.
Thank you for your support and for being a Friend of Mt Tam.
Your Board of Directors

Brian Muir, President
Eileen Bai, Vice President
Jennifer Lien, Treasurer
Amy Palmer, Secretary
Janet Rostad
Renee Sayles
Catherine M Averill
Megan Scurich
Sue Karp

Contact Us
We are always looking for volunteers on The Mountain.

As a member of FMT, your dues and donations provide funding for projects which enhance the experience of visitors to the State Park.