Guided Hike: Watery Winter Wonderland

Winter is the season when Mount Tamalpais can really come to life! Streams that are tiny or dry in summer flow strongly. Moss, lichen, and fungi are at their most vibrant. And the plants that will flower in later months start to emerge, leafy green, from the rich-smelling earth. There may even be a few early blooms of forest wildflowers. The Troop 80 and Matt Davis Trails are two of the best trails to experience this without much steep climbing/descending.

 

Meeting location: Bootjack Parking Lot.

 

Hike description: Moderate to slightly strenuous loop hike traversing Bootjack Trail, Troop 80 Trail, Alice Eastwood Road, Hogback Fire Road, and Matt Davis Trail. Total distance is about 5 miles, with about 800 feet of elevation change (the difference between the highest and lowest points on the route is less than 700 feet, but there are some additional slight ups and downs between these points). With break time, this activity should finish around 1pm.

 

Additional information: Trail conditions will likely be wet and muddy in places, so please choose footwear accordingly. Weather conditions may be changeable, so please dress in layers and have rain gear handy. There are restrooms and water fountains at the trailhead and at the midpoint of the hike. Participants should still carry their own water. Snacks are recommended. Pets other than service animals are not allowed on this hike.