MT. TAMALPAIS NORTH: CARSON FALLS AND LIBERTY GULCH

  • 01/26/2019
  • 8:45 AM - 3:30 PM
  • Meet under the Safeway sign at Market & Dolores

MT. TAMALPAIS NORTH: CARSON FALLS AND LIBERTY GULCH 

Leader: Gary Weiss

Leader Email: gary@sfhiking.com

Leader Phone: 415-279-5570

Meeting Date and Day: Saturday, Jan 26 2019

Meeting Time: 8:45 AM

Departure Time: 9:00 AM

Meeting Place: Under the Safeway sign on Market @ Dolores

Rating:  Level 3, Option for Level 4

Mileage: 8.5 OR 10.5 miles, depending on the weather.

Elevation Gain: 1600'

Description: This is a spectacular route, following alongside creeks or lakes the entire time. About half of the route is exposed with no tree cover. We'll pass through a wonderful old-growth redwood grove while climbing up to Carson Falls - the most dramatic display in Marin at 56' high.  It's especially spectacular if we've recently had significant rain. And, if the ground is not too soggy we can climb up Carson Gulch, adding 2 miles to the hike.  Not everyone needs to join us on this section.  If we do decide to hike up the Gulch, those who choose not to can meet us a bit farther along the way. 

We'll meet at Bon Tempe Dam's lower parking area alongside the lake. We'll begin on Bullfrog Road, cutting over onto Liberty Gulch Trail which follows the north shore of Alpine Lake. After a couple of miles we'll cross over Bolinas-Fairfax Road and head up a beautiful creek on the Liberty Trail to Oat Hill. After dropping down to visit the Falls, we may go up Carson Gulch if the ground is sufficiently dry. If not we'll skip that section.  Then, after a couple of miles on Pine Mountain Road we'll go up and over Azalea Hill, dropping down towards Bullfrog Road again and to the cars. There are a few alternative sections in case the ground is overly soggy.

Bring/Wear: Lunch, snacks, lots of water, layers and STURDY hiking shoes.

Rain Policy: Contact hike leader if weather is questionable 

Driving Distance: 49 miles total, there and back

Total Bridge Tolls and Entry Fees: $15

Car Pool Fees: $10

Alternative Meeting Place #1: We'll stop off at the Fairfax Parkade parking lot - right across from the movie theater at 9 Broadway Street. Take Sir Francis Drake Blvd. until the town of Fairfax. After passing a tiny gas station on your left, you'll be driving alongside the Parkade. At the very end of it, get into the left turn lane. Enter the parking lot there. We'll be at the opposit end across from the theater. G-Maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/c8A1jQBsp2m

Alternative Meeting Time #1: 9:45 AM

Alternative Meeting Departure Time #1: 10:00 AM

Alternative Meeting Place #2: If you'd prefer to meet us at the trailhead, stay on Bolinas-Fairfax Road for about 5 - 7 minutes after leaving town. Turn left onto Sky Oaks Road/Lake Lagunitas. After paying the fee, drive for a couple of minutes then turn right onto a dirt/gravel road to Bon Tempe Dam. You'll see a large parking area on the left. Continue to the next parking area at the end of the road. G-Maps link: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/2020+Market+Street,+San+Francisco,+CA/37.9591912,-122.611936/@37.9599741,-122.6127793,550m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m9!4m8!1m5!1m1!1s0x808f7e1e329b437d:0xf9b56566bbf7a57f!2m2!1d-122.4279658!2d37.7688946!1m0!3e0

Alternative Meeting Time #2: 10:00 - 10:15 AM

Alternative Meeting Departure Time #2: 10:15 AM

Level-1
Level-2
Level-3 Level-4 Level-5
easiest moderately easy
 moderate
  strenuous 
very strenuous
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