Phoenix Lake

Springtime Phoenix Lake

Tucked in the heart of Marin County, California near San Francisco is Phoenix Lake.  This small gem feels remote on the outskirts of Ross, a wealthy bedroom community.  Parking may be difficult: only twenty stalls are provided and street parking is not allowed.  Eight spots a mile out next to the Lagunitas Country Club allow parking Monday through Thursday but it is closed weekends.  This space offers the best starting point.

Wellness Wellspring

The path to the lake meanders through redwoods, trickling creeks, and aromatic California bay trees. A graciously provided rustic drinking fountain at the trail head foreshadows great things to come and fortifies body and spirit with a sense of wellness. Drink and enter.

Redwood Refuge

Along the way, remnants of early logging linger and old sawed-off redwood stumps wide and welcoming in their decay signal shelter: redwood refuge for forest fauna.

Beyond, a mile up the moderate trail sits placid Phoenix Lake in its humble wooded basin. Springtime flowers colors the lake yellow and bright green framing views of Mount Tamalpais.

Lush Lake

Abundant foliage grows thick and lush reflections glimmer brightly on the water with illusions of undisturbed wilderness.

Root Wrapped Rock

Veering left and hiking entirely around the lake is easy to moderate to wonderful, proving that travelling a good path is as rewarding as the destination. Wander off and discover nooks and brooks secreted away. Giant roots hold steep wooded banks gripping large rocks in their sinuous search for water. Spring-time runoffs nourish moss, which thriving brilliantly round out jagged rocks a soft velvety green.

Black Spring Moss

The hike is not altogether wild and steps have been taken to ensure some safety while safeguarding against erosion. Woodland stairs lead up and down roller coaster hills past forest undergrowth.

Woodland Stairs

Near the water, where shallow coves serve soggy soils Giant Horsetail - Equisetum Telmateia - thrive, their fertile stems holding up large cones laden with spores later to explode in the summer heat.

Giant Horsetail

Hike around to the North shore and Forget Me Not flowers appear trail-side splashing blue accents on sienna paths and verdant hillsides.

Forget Me Not

The round trip is roughly five miles and is relatively easy. More challenging trails lead from the lake up Mt. Tam or to four more lakes in the Mt. Tamalpais Watershed making up the Marin Municipal Water District. The possibilities are vast. All are open to the public.  Enjoy.

Mount Tamalpais' Steep Ravine

Foggy San Francisco viewed from Mount Tamalpais

Hiking the trails of Mount Tamalpais in Marin County, California is a rewarding exploration. The slopes are mostly steep and challenging, the views often vast and revealing; at times paths may be gentle and relaxing, yielding intimate sights. The experience hints of living a primordial existence, resetting the self in relation to nature: mind and body synchronizing with flora and fauna in awe.

Of the many trails, Steep Ravine is one of the most sheltered.  It may be approached from near the beach or close to the mountain top. Driving up to the trail head at the Rangers Station parking lot above the redwoods opens up vistas to the Pacific Ocean on the West and San Francisco on the South.  

San Francisco and Bay Bridge emerge from the fog

From these heights the City often looks like a ghostly apparition emerging from a foggy bed. As low clouds dissipate with the morning sun, the city wakes from white-lace dreams questioning permanence and reality and "all that is solid, melts into air". To the East, Mount Diablo looms like a long lost brother waving proudly from afar.

Mount Diablo viewed from Mt. Tam

Spiritually inspired, hiking down the mountain into Steep Ravine becomes a journey of discovery. Leafy canopies and tall redwoods envelop the descent in a green and red cocoon. 

Redwood tree overhead

A small creek makes its way down alongside the trail splashing and tumbling on its trip to the Pacific not far from Stinson Beach; cascading into sheltered waterfalls.  Trail and creek crisscross dancing to the tune of rustling leaves, tinkling water, and rhythmic strides.  

Sheltered Waterfall

Small wooden bridges span shaded banks while thundering footsteps pound the beat on ancient boards suddenly thudding, muffled on loose dirt; birds chirping highlight the score.

Redwood Forest Bridge

Of the many vignettes coming to life on this nature walk, the most pleasing are probably the cool mossy green waterfalls.  While not spectacular in a roaring way their charm lies in their non-threatening poise; some carving channels out of solid rock, while others, cascading over a multitude of boulders and hydrating the vegetation into fertile growth.

Mossy Rock Watefall

Redwoods variously arranged, standing, or fallen together with rich foliage create a cozy homelike feeling.Throughout, there's a sense of balance, of harmony barely disturbed by man and wildflowers rejoice in verdant freedom.