April 2, 2005
Mount Tamalpais State Park
(Coastal Loop from Pantoll Trailhead:
Matt Davis, Coastal, Cataract, Old Mine Trails, 6.6 miles)
Setting off along the Matt Davis Trail
Bay Laurel and oak trees lean over the shaded Matt Davis Trail
Hound's Tounge flowers in the shade
Limbs of moss-covered bay and oak trees intertwine along the footpath
We emerge from the shaded section of the trail onto open meadow
The meadows are carpeted in wildflowers; here, mallow and blue-eyed grass
As the trail curves north, we get a glimpse of Stinson Beach and the Bolinas Ridge
Trail sign marks the fork down to Stinson Beach; we bear right onto the Coastal Trail
Lovely view across emerald green meadow and fir woods down the ridge to the sea
California poppies are springing up along the trail
Nice view overlooking Stinson Beach and beyond to Bolinas
Looking back; the Coastal Trail hugs the ridge, and is lined with lupine and poppies
Winding north, toward the fire trail that connects with Cataract Creek
Lupine
It is hard to take our eyes off the trail to see broader views, with so many cheerful flowers below!
Flowers everywhere!
Milkmaids and poppies
Baby blue eyes
Across Ridgecrest Road, we drop onto the back side of the ridge toward Cataract Creek
Shooting stars, near the creek
Gorgeous views open up as we reach the crest of Old Mine Trail
View east, with Tiburon stretching into the bay
Looking to the south, San Francisco's skyline is barely visible behind the Marin Headlands
A final view of the Pacific and Ocean Beach before reentering the woods on the Old Mine Trail