5/31/2025 Mount Tamalpais State Park
May Flowers Hike: Rugged Hike with Chaparral Wildflowers
Starts at 9am at Bootjack
Join State Park Interpreter Hillary on the eighth and final in a series of hikes that explores the abounding spring wildflowers in Mount Tamalpais State Park. This hike explores chaparral wildflowers along a more rugged, adventurous route. Late season forest, woodland, and serpentine grassland blooms may also be present. Also features plenty of views (weather permitting) and a stop at the historic West Point Inn.
Meeting location: Pantoll Parking Lot
Hike description: Overall moderate (bordering on strenuous on Nora Trail) hike of about 4.5 miles round trip with about 800 feet of elevation gain. The hike will start on Matt Davis, going in and out of shaded woodlands/forest and open chaparral, going up and down, with a little more down. Then, we'll head steeply up Nora Trail to West Point Inn. After a break, we'll keep going up, though more gently, on Rock Spring Trail to Mountain Theater. Finally, we'll take the aptly named Easy Grade down to Matt Davis Trail and return to Bootjack on Matt Davis. There are restrooms and water at the trailhead and restrooms, beverages, and snacks at West Point Inn (donations required for hot drinks, lemonade, and snacks), and restrooms and water at Mountain Theater.
Additional information: Conditions will be warm if the weather is sunny and cool if it is foggy. Trails are rugged and rocky. Dress in layers and wear suitable footwear. Bring water and snacks (or dollar bills for snacks from West Point Inn). Poison oak and ticks are present along the trail, but easier to avoid with the wide path. Dogs other than service animals are not permitted on Easy Grade or Matt Davis Trail west of Bootjack. Dogs on leash are welcome on the first part of the hike, but participants with dogs will need to make their own way back on dog-friendly trails.