GREEN BOOT – NORTH MARIN WALKING & HIKING CLUB Issue 2

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NEWSLETTER OF GREEN BOOT - NORTH MARIN HIKING CLUB PHOTO STREAM – MEMBER OUTINGS

The first word that comes to mind is “Busy” when describing the last three months of Green Boot. Since our first newsletter in May, we have gathered 12 times to explore 31 individual trails with 192 members in attendance. We’ve welcomed 100 new members, have scheduled our first day outing to the Sierras, and we are now at the cusp of the club’s 3 year anniversary! With all this action, it’s easy to have missed a couple events, but thanks to Andy, Cheryl, Glen, Madaline, Michael, Nona, and Janell, you can flip through an extensive gallery of 175 photos that detail the spirit of our recent outings.

This month we continue our newsletter with the purpose to recap, share, and connect. I hope you enjoy it.

In this issue:

Trail Flora

Identify the wild flower showcase discovered during recent club outings.

Conversation with Clay Goetz.

Meet the man behind the trekking poles. We interview a certified arborist about invasive tree life in Northern Marin County.

Green Boot Turns 3!

September 18th will mark Green Boot’s 3 year anniversary. Take a trip down memory lane and discover how our roots may shape our future.

Hike Smart

Staying safe starts with prevention. We’ll explore snake bite prevention apparel and high tech hiking gadgets to keep you safe.

Winged Friends

Wildlife caught on camera during recent club outings.

40 Miles and Beyond

Recapping the last 4 months of Green Boot hikes from May 1 to September 1 with an emphasis on the unique experiences captured on each outing.

Many thanks

Thanks for being a part of our local hiking community, and for coming back to read Green Boot each month.

See you on the trails!

Rush Creek Open Space Preserve A quick photo before the group embarks on our largest outing yet on August 2nd.

Little Mountain OSP Clay, John, Su, Gary, Maria, and Sarah taking a quick breather before the final ascent to the summit.

Welcome Green Boot Walkers by John Kelly

Green Boot – North Marin Walking & Hiking Club

Sept 1, 2013

GREEN BOOT – NORTH MARIN WALKING & HIKING CLUB | 2

Summertime awarded us with an amazing display of wildflowers. It seemed that every hike featured a treasure trove of awe- inspiring flora that begged our cameras to capture their moment in time. On the right is a Mint (mentha spp) taken by Cheryl Berger at Rush Creek Open Space Preserve.

Wild Pea (lathyrus spp) Indian Tree OSP (Cheryl Berger)

Wild Radish (raphanus sativus) Rush Creek OSP (Cheryl Berger)

Red Thistle (cirsium occidentale) Mount Burdell OSP (Glen Clarkson)

Clay Goetz was an arborist in Marin and Sonoma County for 30 years. For nearly 3 decades, Clay ran a successful tree service company that aided county, state, city government agencies, and even residential home owners, with specialized onsite tree consultations and tree reports. In retirement, Clay is a keen investor in the stock market, and an avid hiker and biker who enjoys Marin and Sonoma trails every chance he gets.

Q: When hiking Northern Marin trails, what invasive species of nonnative plants do you feel are causing the most harm to the environment?

A: Scotch broom and other brooms have really been a problem for urban landscapes.

Q: Invasive plants reproduce quickly and easily invade adjacent natural areas. What open space preserve in Novato has the most invasive plants?

A: None of the open space preserves in Novato are bad. However, you’ll find Sudden Oak Death Syndrome in the higher elevation areas of Mt. Burdell, Deer Island, Indian Valley, and Indian Tree.

Q: What can Green Boot members do during group outings to help protect our preserves against invasive species?

A: Be careful around dead oaks. Kick your boots together after walking around them so that you don’t spread their spores to other areas.

Trail Flora by John Kelly

A Conversation with Clay Goetz by John Kelly

Above Photo: Clay stops for a snapshot halfway up Mount Burdell on June 22.

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PHOTO STREAM – CONTINUED…

Rush Creek Open Space Preserve Group shot heading up the Pinheiro Ridge Fire Road towards an incredible view of the Rush Creek Marsh.

Mount Burdell – OSP A spirited group at the junction of Fieldstone Trail and Salt Lick Fire Road.

GREEN BOOT FAST FACTS

40% Novato Members

14% San Rafael Members

8% San Francisco Members

It’s really the people that make Green Boot the great organization it is. We hike with one another, share ideas and opinions, laugh and connect, and we do so in such a way that we inadvertently make a difference in each other’s health and well-being. We share a passion for people, nature, and history, and the great outdoors has become the perfect setting to pursue our interests. On the cusp of our 3 year anniversary we have laced our boots up 25 times, surpassed 300 local members, and have hiked nearly 100 miles of Northern Marin trails. Today, Green Boot is about hellos and handshakes, jokes and trail stories, and grabbing lunch after hikes. It is finally a tangible and personable experience, but it wasn’t always that way.

Back in August of 2010, Green Boot started as a hiking gadget. It was a newly launched iPhone pedometer that incentivized people to get outdoors and hike to help raise money and awareness for nature conservation. Before long, by March of 2011, the hiking gadget that bares our name had somehow become the #54 most downloaded app on iTunes in the Health and Fitness Category, and had broken the top 100 charts in 47 other countries. Back then, Green Boot held virtual hiking challenges, had a social reach of nearly 1 million viewers, and helped raised funds and awareness for its 150 partnering 501(c)3 nature conservation

organizations across the U.S and Canada. The technology was fantastic, but it lacked the tangible, human element. So in September of 2010, the Green Boot Walkers meetup group was created with the intent to meet other avid hikers, face to face, who share a similar liking and appreciation for the outdoors. We met once every couple months until a rainy February morning in 2012 when Michael Landram, a former Pacific Southwest Regional Silviculturist for the U.S Forest Service and recipient of the prestigious John R. McGuire Award, introduced himself, and a month later, led his first Green Boot hike at Roy’s Redwoods in San Geronimo. Michael’s captivating personality and introduction of historical hikes to the lineup has drastically helped shape the future of our club for the better.

Moving forward, I can't predict what the future holds for Green Boot, but I’m certain its evolution will remain organic and natural and good-willed as its origin. I see hundreds of hikes in our future and an equal amount of new friendships. Cheers to our first three years, and cheers to many more. Thanks everyone for being a part of our hiking club!

Green Boot turns 3! From the First Trail to Future Outings

Left: Group photo from 1st Green Boot Walkers event held on Oct 2, 2010. Below: Original Green Boot logo.

GREEN BOOT – NORTH MARIN WALKING & HIKING CLUB Issue 2

Winged wildlife came and went as often as the breeze. We saw turkey vultures, bumble bees, dragon flies, egrets, butterflies, and more. Our cameras were ready to capture their pose whether in flight, resting, or pollinating. The elusive Spotted Owl escaped our lens at Rush Creek, but we’ll get him next time.

Hike Smart Gear

Rattlesnakes like summer evenings the best which just happens to coincide with our After Work hikes. As we travel through rocks, shrubs, and brush, there is always a chance we could encounter a rattlesnake. Click here for tips and warnings on how to avoid rattlesnake attacks. Just know that the majority of bites occur on the hands, feet and ankles, so it’s important to wear long pants and thick boots on outings. For those of you that want the best protection possible, you may consider SnakeArmor pants with patented fabric strong enough to stop the bites of large, venomous rattlesnakes. Click here for more information on snake bite resistant hiking pants by Turtleskin.

Flying Friends…

Spotted Owl Come Back

Turkey Vulture by Glen Clarkson; A Bumble Bee in Rush Creek by Cheryl Berger; Egret in Bahia by Glen Clarkson; Dragonfly in Rush Creek by Cheryl Berger; Butterfly in Rush Creek by Glen Clarkson.

Hiking has evolved. Have you heard of Map My Hike? It’s a relevant mobile application that turns your cell phone into a high tech gadget that can track the distance, duration, calories, route, pace, and elevation of your hikes. Better yet, it serves as a safety device by leading you back to your starting point in case you lose your sense of direction while out hiking. Not only does it produce accurate summaries of your hikes, but it’s free, and available for iPhone, Android, and Blackberry. Click here for more information. Let me know if you find it useful.

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PHOTO STREAM – MEMBER OUTINGS

Mount Burdell OSP The group embarks on the 2nd of 3 segments during the Burdell Summit hike.

Indian Tree Open Space Preserve Kristi stands at the base of a Redwood on Deer Camp Fire Road.

Ignacio Valley OSP The group gathers on an unnamed trail to view the largest alder tree in Novato.

Since May 1st, Green Booters have gathered together a dozen times to hike 40 miles through six Marin County Open Space Preserves and two Novato City parks including Miwok and O’Hair. We’ve hiked to our highest summit to date of 1558 feet, discovered the Carl Peter Rush grave site, visited the largest alder tree in Novato (possibly in all of Marin), stood before the locally famous Indian Tree, and more. Below are some notable hike highlights from our recent outings.

On May 9th

we set off for our first “after work” hike on the Al Rueger Trail where we noticed a blue elderberry, home to the elderberry longhorn beetle (a federally listed species) in the central valley. Members had this to say:

“It was a lovely little hike and nice to meet some new hiking friends” - Madeline

“Good company and beautiful views from the top” - Bruce

On June 1st we gathered at the Ignacio Valle Open Space Preserve, and before climbing to our 800 foot peak at the property line of the Hill Family Ranch, we stopped to measure one of the largest alder trees in Marin. Members had this to say:

“Fresh air, sweat, nature, laughter, nice people, good fun...thank you all” – Kristi

“It was grueling for me but the view at the top was well worth it”- Nona

On June 22nd

we achieved our highest summit to date of 1558 feet. We rested near the rock walls at the peak, discussed the life of Mary Burdell, and learned that in 1977 the district purchased 1,439 acres of Mount Burdell from Exxon (and small parcels from the Nunes family) to create Novato’s largest opens space preserve. Members had this to say:

“Wildly panoramic. Love the segmented format and the nature information” – Kathleen

“Terrific views, great walking companions, and fascinating historical info. – Kathy

On July 25th

we gathered at O’Hair Park to brave a 1.5 mile ascent to the top of Little Mountain. 10 members (or 11 if you include Gracie) conquered the strenuous social trail that climbed steeply up the ridgeline towards a rewarding view overlooking Novato’s only watershed. Members had this to say:

LOVED IT!! I ate my bowl of ice cream guilt free – Maria

This one was a little more strenuous--taking my Ibuprofen now!” – Ellen

On August 8th

we gathered for our longest “after work” hike to date which took us to a peak elevation of 1440 feet for a spectacular view of Indian Tree. Members had this to say:

“Quite a wonderful fusion! The wintery mist, the redwood canopy and wonderful people. I had a blast. I enjoyed being with all of you”- Hampton

“The payoff was a ten foot thick California Redwood and a nice walk with good people” - Andy

On August 4th

nearly 30 members posed for a group photo at Cemetery Marsh before heading off for a fascinating 7 mile historical hike though the Rush Creek Open Space Preserve. As always, the tidal wetlands, fowl, and ridgeline trails were amazing, but discovering the actual gravesite of Carl Peter Rush was by far the highlight of the adventure. Members had this to say:

“Great Hike- had all the elements- water- air- earth and Fire of a mysterious murder”– Barbara

“Beautiful hike, organizer did a great job and told a good murder mystery” – Victoria

40 Miles and Beyond

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If you ar

About Green Boot

Green Boot is an outdoor hiking club that explores the beautiful trails of Northern Marin County and surrounding area. We offer a variety of hikes for all fitness levels. We explore city parks, open space preserves, regional parks, state parks, and on rare occasions, day outings to Pacific Southwest National Forests. The intent of our group is to encourage social hiking, to discover new trails, make new friends, learn about the landscape, and get healthy. Not all, but many of our hikes are led by knowledgeable hike docents who have served as U.S National Foresters, local Open Space volunteers, and alike. We encourage all members to enjoy the many benefits of the club which include hikes, social events, hiking challenges, and more. Please remember to upload a profile photo so we know who you are.

Announcements & Updates

Beome

About Green Boot

Green Boot is an outdoor hiking club that explores the beautiful trails of Northern Marin County. We offer a variety of hikes for all fitness levels. We explore city parks, open space preserves, regional parks, state parks, and on rare occasions, day outings to Pacific Southwest National Forests. The intent of our group is to encourage social hiking, to discover new trails, make new friends, learn about the landscape, and get healthy. Not all, but many of our hikes are led by knowledgeable hike docents who have served as U.S National Foresters, local Open Space volunteers, and alike. We encourage all members to enjoy the many benefits of the club which include hikes, social events, hiking challenges, workshops, our club e-newsletter, and more. Please remember to upload a profile photo so we know who you.

See you on the trails!

Not a Member Yet?

We have over 200 members and are always welcoming more. If you're a San Francisco Bay Area resident who would like to meet new friends while exploring North Bay Trails then come join us! We provide an amazing array of hiking services and more! Visit http://www.meetup.com/Green-Boot-Walkers/

2014 Green Boot Photo Contest - Update

Thank you to everyone who has submitted photos. Please continue to submit your photos of North Marin trails, landscapes, hikers in action, and flora, for possible inclusion in our 2014 Green Boot Calendar. All photos must be taken during group outings. Submission deadline is December 1, 2013. Voting begins Dec 10

th!

Newsletter Submission Guidelines

Green Boot focuses on information directed to enhancing our local hiking experience. We are looking for 100 word articles with an emphasis on local hiking tips, gear, safety, nature app recommendations, trail perspectives, hike recaps, how-tos, and more. Articles must be original and informative. Our editors reserve the right to edit and shorten text as necessary. All submissions are due on the first Tuesday of each month. Email articles to info@greenbootmedia.com

Trip to the Sierras

On Saturday, September 28

th we are going to celebrate a great year of Green Boot hiking

with an up and back hiking trip to the high country. We’ll plan on a 4 hour drive to the trailhead, followed by a 4 hour hike (probably less), and followed by a 4 hour return trip. We’ll be hiking the Woods Loop in the Eldorado National Forest which is one of the premier day hikes in the mountains!!!! Tell your Friends about Green Boot

Help get the word out. Remember to ask your outdoorsy friends to join today at www.meetup.com/green-boot-walkers/ Become a Member

We have over 300 members and are always welcoming more. If you're a San Francisco Bay Area resident who would like to meet new friends while exploring North Bay Trails then come join us! We provide an amazing array of hiking services and more! Visit www.meetup.com/Green-Boot-Walkers/

Green Boot PO BOX 164

Novato CA 94948