There are a few open space preserves in Fairfax: Loma Alta, White Hill, and Cascade. This one is…read moretechnically Loma Alta. There are many trails that go up in the hills and intersect or if you go to the other side of the street it is the White Hill Preserve. These preserves are really popular with mountain bikers in Marin. During the winter there is a waterfall, it's not as great as some others in Marin but it's also not as crowded. The waterfall is located on the Old Railroad Grade trail. For a shorter hike that's about 2.5 miles I do a loop Of Old Railroad Grade-Hunter Creek Court-Baywood Canyon. Parking is 2 turn outs. I like the closer one (to Fairfax) because you go under the bridge and there's always some graffiti.

Okay, so here's my story. Film Night In The Park was showing "Rocky" one Saturday night in…read moreSeptember. Neither the Hunny nor the girl wanted to see it, so it was just me going to Central Marin to see this cheapo movie that became one of the most inspirational and biggest moneymakers of the 1970s. But I got there early so I could get some hiking in. The goal: White Hill. I drove down Glen Drive to the end, hiked for roughly half a mile, and at the fork in the trail, took the wrong fork: I went right instead of left. And ended up on this sharp uphill fire road that took me to some big, wide views of Fairfax. Nothing really special here, if you don't count the reservoirs as special. What you do have is a place to work those quads, build that cardio, and test your endurance as you attempt to get to the top of those hills to the north. And the trail does take you to the top, if you can make it. An unobstructed view of Mt. Tam, several neighborhoods of Terra Linda and San Anselmo, and the open space of San Geronimo Valley can all be seen from this trail. So really, it's typical Marin County outdoors, more unshaded grasslands than dark forest. This could be a good picnic area. Either you or your special someone can go for a few hundred feet, then down a narrow trail to your left, to come to a dense flat forest where you can spread out the blanket, pour the wine, and enjoy your vegan sandwich and organic fruit (hey, this is Marin County). Or you can huff and puff for as far up as you want, and then put out the blanket and eat something more substantial as you two enjoy the view. Fairfax Open Space Preserve is another option for outdoors lovers, but there are better choices out there. BTW, I had to turn around after an hour, the movie was about to start. But I did have that famous Bill Conti song on my mind. Because going up that hill is tougher than the staircase leading to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

This is an easy 3.6 mile roundtrip dirt trail in pastureland leading to the edge of Drakes Estero…read moreand Creamery Bay. We encountered a lot of cows on this trail. It's easy to lose track of the main trail because of the many bovine paths. It's helpful if have the NPS app and downloaded the content of this park for offline use. The interactive map was very handy. ***: The Bull Point Trailhead is easy to miss because there wasn't an obvious sign posted. As you drive towards the lighthouse, it is located on the left side of Sir Francis Drake Blvd past the "Cypress Tree Tunnel" and before the "North Beach". Trail Length: An easy 3.6 miles roundtrip. Parking: A small gravel parking lot. This doesn't seem to be a popular trail. We were the only one parked there on a Sunday afternoon. NO Restrooms and NO potable water BIKES are permitted Drones are not permitted anywhere in Point Reyes National Seashore PETs are NOT permitted on the Bull Point Trail. Wear layered clothing. It was very windy. The trail can be muddy especially approaching the edge of the Estero. Respect wildlife and Keep your distance. Remember the " " principle. Visit ./ for more info.

This trail looks like it might have been good a few years ago but now it's not a well-marked trail…read more All Trails mentioned this, but I thought it might just be in a few parts but overall doable. Wrong, I came and after 10 minutes in realized I was in a meadow with no exact way to go. There is no phone service out here so All Trails is useless, with service I think you can see where the trail used to be and be able to get through. I even tried it a second time in case I had missed something, but it still was just as bad though I tried to power through and walk without a definite trail but the ground is overgrown with grass and uneven and worried me that I'd twist my ankle or encounter a snake so I had to turn back. From the parking lot to the second gate after a creek is about a quarter mile so this could be a small little excursion to get a walk in, especially if spending all day in the car to get to the lighthouse. The trail normally should be 3.5 miles. It is a shame the National Park Service has not done more to maintain it.

Easy in and out, old fire road .Dense and secluded. Easier to approach from behind the school.read more

Trail starts from pullout just south of pullout with call box, then branches left to stay low…read more Some slippery wading and climbing over and under large blowdowns. Trail still collapsed near the end and very tenuous and exposed.

The trail is around a 2-mile loop nestled in Samuel P. Taylor Park…read more Parking is $8 so I think this hike is better if you are already at Samuel P. Taylor Park. Not that many people are here on the weekdays so it might be worth the parking fee for some extreme calm because the trail doesn't get as busy as some other trails in Marin. I felt it was very serene, and you were really away from it all here with just the sounds of the running creek and woodpeckers. Visually it's very shaded with lots of greenery and ferns. I always get a sandwich at Lagunitas Grocery store beforehand and eat it in the park.

When my son suggested I hike the Pioneer Tree Trail he described it as easy and empty; he had never…read morebefore seen anyone on the trail and surmised that bringing my dog, whether permitted or not (he was unsure) would thus be no problem. He had obviously never been on the Pioneer Tree Trail on a summer weekend during a pandemic. Pioneer Tree Trail is a 2.1 mile loop trail that isn't flat but neither is there any significant elevation. It winds around and back and forth through beautiful Redwood groves and it's got a lot of charm. The fact that most people enter the trail from Samuel P. Taylor Park probably accounted for its popularity during my weekend, summertime visit. Children and families and groups who I'll assume were in some sort of Covid-bubble all seemed to be enjoying this hike on a sunny day. And even though she wasn't technically allowed, my dog enjoyed the easy to follow trail as well. If all you're looking for is a mellow stroll, go ahead and enter from the park. If you want more of a challenge though still no elevation, park on Sir Francis Drake Blvd. at Inkwells, cross the bridge on the north side of the road, and follow the flat, bike-friendly Cross Marin Trail to your left. When you cross the second bridge, do a u-turn and you'll encounter the entrance to the Pioneer Tree Trail. I have it on good authority that you can have this trail to yourself at most times, but I'd not rely on it during a summer weekend when people are itching to break out of their homes after months of sheltering in place.

They're really not kidding about this being an open space because I'm not sure what makes this area…read moregeologically unique. A lot of trees and a lot of rocks. That pretty much summarizes my informed opinion of Loma Alta. Marked by an overpass bridge, it's off Sir Francis Drake Blvd just past Fairfax - though you need to slow down to turn off on the broadened shoulder to park comfortably. Don't let the speed-obsessed morons behind you feel bad about wanting to stop here. The underbelly of the bridge is saturated by graffiti, which actually makes it a visually interesting start to your hike. Now you can be adventurous and hike up Sunrise Fire Road almost right away and get to Loma Alta peak that much faster. That ain't me. I just followed the relatively flat, somewhat circuitous Old White Hill Grade to the Fox Hollow Trail. Very woodsy and on the edge of Marin suburbia, but you can get back to nature by following another fire road on Smith Ridge. Yes, your thighs get a workout during this uphill stretch, but it's not nearly as traumatic as the Sunrise route. The views were nice but truthfully not that extraordinary as Loma Alta felt a bit more enclosed than other similar open spaces in Marin like the adjacent Big Rock area. One unexpected treat occurred when I got back to the car and noticed there was a path aptly named the Sherwood Forest Trail. Here I was surrounded almost cocoon-like by a grove of big redwoods. Lovely. RELATED - Up for a hike? Here's a collection of trails I've walked and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2OrC8nU

Fantastic place for a hike, but do not try to follow the trail maps. There is private property…read morepeppered throughout this preserve. Trails end at Gates that threaten law enforcement action if you passed through. Scenery is quite pretty, and be sure to learn a little bit about the geology of the area.

GORGEOUS. The views were simply amazing at sunset!…read more The Verna Dunshee loop is 0.7 miles and completely flat (under 20 minutes) while the East Peak trail is 0.3 miles and ~300 feet of elevation gain (around 30 minutes up-and-down). The East Peak trail was pretty challenging with uneven ground and steep elevation, but it's doable for most people as long as you take it slow. The east peak parking lot is $8 to park but super easy to access and plenty of spots available. You can scan a QR code at the entrance to the trails to pay, and wi-fi is provided.

The Verna Dunchee loop is actually what brought us here. It is paved and flat and less than a mile…read moremaking it an easy enjoyable peaceful walk, I did it in my fuzzy boots. When we finished my husband looked up at the fire look out and then back at me and said "you wanna?". So I returned to our vehicle put on tennis shoes and started up. The first part is wooden and easy but then all the easy stops. I am going to go ahead and call it a beginners rock scramble since you must use your hands some of the time. The views are stunning! Makes you stop and appreciate nature and all its miracles. Totally worth it but I will admit it was harder than I anticipated. The loss of the star is 8$ parking. Oh and the bathrooms were clean! Dog friendly.

Very soothing and tranquil spot to hike. Great views of the bay. Not too far. Good for families.read more

The hiking trails above Tennessee Valley in Mill Valley over to Muir Beach offer some of the most…read morespectacular scenery you'll find anywhere in the world. Coyote Trail which loops over to the Green Gulch and Miwok trails offer 360-degree panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, the East bay, Mount Tamalpais and Mill Valley. It is especially beautiful during springtime with the many varieties of colorful wild flowers that dot the hillsides. Scurrying quails, soaring hawks, abundant butterflies and the occasional bobcat (not to worry as they are quite skittish) are common companions on the trails. A great alternative to the many shaded redwood trails if you're looking for warmth and sunshine. http://gurmeet.net/hiking/hikes/Muir_Beach_To_Tennessee_Beach_Long_Loop.html

ACCESSING JEWELL TRAIL. On two occasions in February 2021, I hiked the loop trail consisting of…read moreBolinas Ridge Trail, Jewell Trail, and Cross Marin Trail. My hike was in the counterclockwise direction around this loop trail. The final stretch of this loop hike requires hiking within the narrow space between the Francis Drake Blvd. and a steep downhill slope covered with trees and with lichens called "old man's beard." Jewell Trail has two trailheads. One is located on Bolinas Ridge Trail and the other is on Cross Marin Trail. The trailhead for Bolinas Ridge Trail is next to Francis Drake Blvd., one mile east of Olema. The trailhead on Cross Marin Trail, is situated one mile to the northwest of the Camp Taylor campground. Regarding the Bolinas Ridge trailhead a mile east of Olema, typically between five and ten automobiles are parked here. They're parked on the south shoulder of Francis Drake Blvd., but additional parking places are available on a wide dirt shoulder, across the street and 50 feet to the west. The segment of Bolinas Ridge Trail leading to the Jewell Trail Trailhead provides scenery of amazing beauty. The photographs in the following list describe, by way of pictures, everything that I could possibly describe with words about Bolinas Ridge Trail and Jewell Trail: (1) Photo of wooden maze that allows passage of people, but prevents cows from passing through. The body of the cow is not flexible in the same way that snakes are flexible. If cows were flexible, they could be taught to dance the hula. But cows are unable to do hula dancing. Because cows are not flexible, they cannot pass through the wooden maze. (2) On the left side of Bolinas Ridge Trail, you can see a cluster of trees sitting on a hillock, with a row of stones embedded in the hillock. This hillock occurs about 100 feet down a grassy slope. (3) Same cluster of trees sitting on a hillock, where photo shows a tree coated with "Old Man's Beard" lichens. (4) To the right of Bolinas Ridge Trail is a deep valley. The boulder at the far left has lichen clinging to it. (5) On the right side of Bolinas Ridge Trail is a tall boulder with a stone shelf on it. On this stone shelf, I posed my mountain goat. While taking this photograph, a man and woman, in their 20's, were hiking by. I turned to them and said, "Don't worry, my permit for keeping the mountain goat is all paid up." They responded with a flurry of laughs. (6) Same boulder, with both Strawberry Shortcake and the goat. (7) Photo of deep valley to left of Bolinas Ridge Trail. Jewell Trail is just beyond this valley. (8) Photo of the sign at the trailhead for Jewell Trail. Two men were approaching, riding their mountain bikes. I was impressed by their ability to ride up the steep hill and I said, "You are certainly strong and powerful, but I know you are vulnerable to KRYPTONITE." They understood my joke and laughed. (9) After a minute of hiking down Jewell Trail there's a huge boulder to the right. Photo of the goat, California quail, and northern flicker sitting on this boulder. (10) Further down Jewell Trail, view looking uphill at the beautiful upper part of the valley. (11) Same location by Jewell Trail, with view looking downhill. Francis Drake Blvd. can be seen in the distance. (12) Further down Jewell Trail, the forest begins. Goat and Strawberry Shortcake stand near a zig-zag in the trail. (13) Further on down, the trail enters a shady area, covered with a tunnel of trees. I arranged a fallen white-colored branch, possibly from a birch tree, so that it would show up in the photograph. (14) Photo of a mossy tree covered with a few tiny ferns, located next to Jewell Trail. LICHENS. In many areas of your hike, you will find lichens hanging from trees and lichens growing on rocks. The kind of lichen that hangs from trees is "old man's beard," also called beard lichens of the genus Usnea. Photographs of beard lichens are available from, "pointreyesnature dot com/alamea-trail" and also from Kundsen and Carlberg (2005). Other kinds of lichen at Bolinas Ridge include Rimularia insularis and Rinodina falvosoralifera. Colorful lichens that grow on rocks include, Xanthoria elegans, Rhizoplaca melanopthalma, and Saxicolous lichens. REFERENCES. ( 1 ) K. Knudsen and T. Carlberg (2005) Bulletin of the California Lichen Society. Vol. 12, No. 2, page 36. ( 2 ) Tom Carlberg (2012) Bulletin of the California Lichen Society. Vol. 19. See, page 27. ( 3 ) Larry St. Clair (1999) Bulletin of the California Lichen Society. Vol. 6, No. 2. ( 4 ) Kocourkova (2012) A Checklist of the Lichenicolous Biota of California Opuscula Philolichenum. 11:64-103. ( 5 ) Lichens, surprising pioneering organisms (2019) Encyclopedia of the Environment. ( 6 ) Article by Sheela McLean, available from: "methownet dot com/grist/features/lichens.html