The Tamalpais Conservation Club, the oldest conservation organization in Marin County, donated $5,000 this summer to the West Point Inn on Mount Tamalpais for the purchase of a new weather station.
“This is the only weather station on Mt. Tam and gives real-time weather conditions which is critical for assessing fire risks, guest and public safety when on the mountain, and for other agencies to use,” says TCC treasurer, Jim Rodgers.
The new weather station, installed on June 13, 2024, replaces the previous one that rose above the roofline of the West Point Inn.
“That station was mounted on a solid metal pole, making access to the weather station very difficult, if not impossible,” says Don Keeley, executive director of the West Point Inn Association. “It was approximately 10 years old and has never been calibrated or serviced, and several components, such as wind speed and direction, are no longer working.”
The new Davis Vantage Pro2 weather station (https://www.davisinstruments.com/collections/vantage-pro2), that will replace it, will be mounted on a pole with a hinge, so that the weather station can be lowered to ground level for servicing or calibration.
According to Keeley, the new weather station is a research-grade weather station that provides professional-grade data for weather enthusiasts, researchers, growers, and weather professionals. It reports real-time wind speeds up to 200 mph, temperature and humidity, barometric pressure, rainfall and other information such as heat index, dew point, highs and lows, and much more.
“To the best of my knowledge, this is the only publicly available weather information on Mt. Tamalpais,” he says.
Visitors and guests of the West Point Inn, along with the innkeepers who monitor the speed and direction of the wind especially during times of high fire danger, may access the weather station for free by going to www.westpointinn.com and clicking on the weather station tab.
The West Point Inn Association’s Board of Directors is currently focused on raising almost $1.8 million to cover long-term maintenance expenses.
“Generous donations from groups such as the TCC allow us to address specific needs for all users of the Inn, without impacting the efforts to fund longer term needs,” Keeley says.
The Tamalpais Conservation Club will receive recognition of the new weather station on the West Point Inn’s website, next to the button for “current weather”.
Tamalpais Conservation Club
The Tamalpais Conservation Club (TCCMarin.org), Marin County’s oldest conservation organization and an all-volunteer non-profit group funded by donations, was founded in 1912 to preserve and protect the natural features in Marin County and, Mt. Tamalpais in particular. To join, donate to, or request a grant from the Tamalpais Conservation Club, contact the Board of Directors at P.O. Box 532, Ross, CA, 94957 or send an Email to info@TCCMarin.org.
West Point Inn Association
The West Point Inn Association exists to preserve, maintain, and operate the West Point Inn and to educate the public about its history.
Built in 1904, the West Point Inn is a remote, hike-or bike-in, off-the-grid inn featuring rooms and cabins, a communal kitchen, two lounges covered deck with picnic tables and views of the East Bay. It is located at 100 Old Railroad Grade Fire Road in Mill Valley. For details on the weather station, contact executivedirector@westpointinn.com. To make a reservation at West Point Inn, send an Email to reservations@westpointinn.com.
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