QUESTIONS & ANSWERS WITH BRIAN PATRICK HIGGINS
Are the weekend shuttle hikes from Olema the only Hills & Hops options?
The weekend hikes are our only regularly scheduled hikes. But if you have a party of four or more and want to takle on of our three hikes during the week or on one of our unscheduled Sundays, contact me (Brian) by phone or email, listed above. For hikes elsewhere, call or email to set up the details and inquire about pricing. I have vast experience on trails throughout the Bay Area, as well as those in Yosemite National Park -- and relationships with brewpub owners and managers throughout California.
How strenuous are the hikes?
Expect to work up a sweat on our hikes, because that's when the endorphins kick in to elevate your senses -- and the conversation. But if you're in moderate shape, you'll find the well-graded trails more inspiring than overwhelming. If fitness is a concern, opt for the Photographer's Paradise Hike -- although it's our longest hike (8 miles), much of it takes place on a fire road with a barely perceptible rise.
How much time should I reserve?
Our shuttl leaves the parkng lot at Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and Highway 1 in Olema precisely at 10 a.m., so it's not a bad idea to be there 10-15 minutes early to check in. The commute to the hikes is about 30 minutes (can be longer in summer). That puts us at the trailhead at 10:30 am-ish, and we'll generally be on the trail -- including a 25-minute lunch stop -- for 4 to 4.5 hours. If we're being conservative, that puts us back in the van at 3 p.m. and back in Olema at 3:30 p.m. You're free to go about your day, but we'd love for you to join us for a celebrational drink or two on the back deck of Olema's Due West Tavern!
Putting the "hops" in Hills & Hops
While the official part of our engagment ends upon our return to Olema, a sizable percentage of Hills & Hikes veterans will tell you that the adventure is just beginning. Beer never tastes better than after a hike that you'll long remember, and hoisting a few with new friends who shared your experience is beer's crowning moment. The good folks at the adjacent Olema House -- named the best hotel in the nation by Conde Nast Traveler in 2020 -- have permanently reserved a spot on the outside deck for Hills & Hops refugees returning from the trail. This is where bonds get forged.
Does rain cancel hikes?
Thanks to a decade dominated by drought in California, this almost qualifies as a hypothetical question. Only twice in the past seven years has it rained on the day of a Hills & Hops hike. But the answer is "no way." Rain casts the mountain in a graytone that makes the verdant flora pop, churns up awe-inspiring fogbanks, and washes away the stresses of life. We'll provide the rain gear. But if mud isn't your thing, we'll refund anyone who wants to cancel in rain..
When is hiking season?
With just a 21-degree difference between the average daily high temperature in the coldest and hottest months of the year (in my native Columbus, Ohio, there's a 50-degree defference), Marin County is America's ultimate Mediterranean climate. It's often more comfortable to hike in February than mid-summer. So we operate year-round.
What kind of footwear should I wear?
Hking boots are always best (hence the name). But there's not always room to pack those, and sometimes joining us for a hike is a spontaneous endeavor. So any athletic footwear with a solid, grabby sole will usually do (unless there's rain). Hiking footwear is all about staying in control on the descent, and there are no dangerously steep downhills on H&H hikes. If in doubt, take advantage of our free trekking poles for added traction. If you're looking for good hiking boots that will break in quickly before your hike, Lowa Boots are known for their comfy fit out of the box.
What about other clothing?
Growing up in the Midwewt, I find Marin's climate (with the exception of fog and wind) to be so utterly lacking in drama that I hike in shorts year-round. But I ALWAYS carry a pullover or jacket, even on days when the hike starts under steamy conditions. All of our hikes are affected by oceanic winds, and they can switch from calm to violent in minutes, and we often have to navigate a marine layer -- chilling fog that clings to particular elevations -- can be present even on the sunniest days. Throw something lightweight but wind-resistant in your backpack.
Poison Oak
There is often 45 minutes or more between finishing the hike and hoisting our first beer toast in Olema, but you can begin the winding-down process as soon as the hike is complete with some light stretching and a change of footwear. Your feet get heated up and swell during a hike, and changing out of your boots or other trail-wear into sandals or slip-ons will immediately flood you with a sense of relaxation and accomplishment. No need to haul your apres-hike footwear around in your backpack; leave them on the shuttle to keep your load light.
Any other suggestions?
There is often 45 minutes or more between finishing the hike and hoisting our first beer toast in Olema, but you can begin the winding-down process as soon as the hike is complete with some light stretching and a change of footwear. Your feet get heated up and swell during a hike, and changing out of your boots or other trail-wear into sandals or slip-ons will immediately flood you with a sense of relaxation and accomplishment. No need to haul your apres-hike footwear around in your backpack; leave them on the shuttle to keep your load light.
How does payment work?
The fee for all hikes is $125 and includes a hearty trail lunch and the option to borrow a backpack and/or poles. There's no discount for buying your own lunch (so take ours with you after the hike). Because space on our shuttle van from Olema is (very) limited and many of our hikers won't be in town until a day or two before our hikes, we sort out the adventurers from the pretenders by accepting a $50 deposit on a first-come, first-served basis. With the exception of rain hikes (see above), that deposit is non-returnable if you fail to make the hike for any reason. In more cases than not, we can't replace hikers who cancel late, meaning that we lose the rest of your fee ($75) if you fail to show. For those who do hike, the remaining $75 will be collected on the return shuttle to Olema, after the hike. Credit cards and debit cards accepted for both payments, and cash is accepted for the final $75 payment.