Marin County, CA: Northern California Chapter, Hill 88 Hike

What do you get when you combine sweeping views, a whale skeleton, Cold War history, and a hilltop summit? A fantastic Camino hike.

Join us at Rodeo Beach in the Marin Headlands for a hike up to the top of Hill 88, site of a former Nike missile radar station. We’ll start the 6.5-mile loop from Fort Cronkhite and inspect the skeleton of a blue whale that washed up on Ocean Beach in 1988. We’ll then begin the steady climb along the Miwok and Wolf Ridge Trails. Pilgrim naturalists will have a field day identifying native plants and tracking soaring raptors, and maybe even spotting the elusive Mission Blue Butterfly. After checking out the remnants of the old radar station, we’ll descend along the Coastal Trail with jaw-dropping ocean views from San Francisco to Point Reyes. Before arriving back at sea level, we’ll pass by several artillery batteries that look like rebel bases straight out of Star Wars.

Schedule: Meet us at 9:30 AM at the Fort Cronkhite parking lot in front of the restrooms. We’ll have lunch at the top of Hill 88 and expect to arrive back at the parking lot by 2:30 PM.

Level of Difficulty: Moderately difficult. Total distance is about 6.5 miles with a total elevation gain of 1,000 feet. There are several steep trail climbs and descents. Please have recent and comparable hiking experience.

Advance online registration is required. Click the Register button to sign up. Because space is limited, we ask that you register if/when you are certain you can attend. Thank you!

Cancellation: Please email us at norcal@americanpilgrims.org so we can offer your space to someone else.

Getting There (by car only): From all directions (SF, East Bay, North Bay, etc.), take Hwy 101 towards Sausalito and the Alexander Avenue exit. Turn onto Bunker Road and take it all the way through the Barry-Bunker tunnel to the Rodeo Lagoon (about 3 miles). Keep straight alongside the lagoon onto Mitchell Road (where Bunker veers up to the right) for the last half mile to the Fort Cronkhite parking lot (where the road ends).

Carpooling: Registered participants will have access to an online “Carpool Bulletin Board” to post a message if they need a ride or can give one.

What to Bring: A day pack with water, snacks, and a bag lunch (there is no place to buy one in the area). Sun protection (hat, sunscreen) and a jacket or sweater even if it’s a sunny day as it can be windy. Good hiking shoes are recommended and hiking poles will be helpful.

Leader: Guy Joaquin

The Ruff Stuff: For insurance purposes, we are unable to welcome dogs, except service animals, at our events.