7/4/2026    Mount Tamalpais State Park

Guided Hike: Red, White, & Blooming

Starts at Mountain Home parking lot at 9am

Need to start America's 250th on a quieter note? How about a guided hike with lots of shade and some flowers in patriotic colors?

OK, so we probably won't find any flowers that are blue (maybe some blue-ish purple blooms), but this hike route should include some red flowers and some white flowers that look like fireworks as well as peaceful vibes under trees and along creeks that will build up your mental energy for festivities later in the day! There won't be so many different wildflowers, but there will be some of our more dramatic ones (scarlet monkeyflower, leopard lilies, and California spikenard are the standouts).

Meeting point: Mountain Home parking lot (across from 810 Panoramic Highway)

Hike route: About 4.8-mile loop going down Alice Eastwood Road, Troop 80 Trail, Sierra Trail, Plevin Cut, Alice Eastwood Trail, and Bootjack Spur and then using Bootjack Trail and Redwood Creek Trail (Muir Woods Main Trail) to connect to Lower Fern Creek Trail, Lost Trail, Canopy View Trail, and Panoramic Trail for the uphill return. There will be some steep uphill, but total elevation gain (including some uphill on the mostly downhill part of the hike) is about 800 feet.

Additional information: Trails will be rugged and may be muddy if there has been morning fog. Route is mostly shaded, but there will be sunny stretches (if weather is clear), especially at the end of the hike. Dress in layers for variable weather conditions, wear suitable footwear, and have sun protection. Carry drinking water (no water at trailhead, but at 2 locations along the route) and snacks. Ticks, poison oak, and wasps may be present along the trail. Dogs other than service animals are not allowed on these trails.