Even though I live in SoCal , NorCal ( and more specifically , Marin ) is like my 2d home . The hubby grow up in Marin , has family all over the Bay Area , and we head north several time a year for vacation , natal day , and some such chicanery ( really , we need no excuse for a NorCal sojourn ) .
Though the Taylor property has unobstructed view out to Mount Tamalpais and even a local track decently off the private road ( make by father and Word back in the day ) , we do n’t often have sentence for even a daytime hike in between dinner dates with family and drives into the city to see friends .
But a few weeks ago , we saw a augury . In between the cold and rain and fogginess that usually comes with bound in Marin , one stark afternoon emerged . It was uncharacteristically sunny and warm , and we had a few loose hours to ourselves … so , we correct out for the trail to Steep Ravine .
As far as northerly California hike go , the Matt Davis to Steep Ravine loop is one of the jewel of Marin . Few trails are as divers and beautiful as the seven mile that take you from mossy forests and pluck grasslands to flaxen beach and coastal redwoods in the course of an afternoon . In between all of that , you ’re treated to brook and Cascade Mountains as you rise and come a total of 2,500 foot by the clip you come full rophy .
We started on the Matt Davis Trail from the Pan Toll Ranger Station on Mount Tamalpais . The lead cut across the slopes of Mount Tam through stands of moss-grown oak tree and barrel of California bay tree ( the only sentence I could ever “ surf ” a big barrelful ! ) .
After a couple of meandering miles , the path opened up to roll hills with views of Bolinas in the distance . The grasslands were greenish and lush from all the recent rains , with profane lupin dot the sides of the trail . This was one of those moments where you wonder if that picture in front of you is real .
We soon find ourselves back under the canopy of the forest , hiking down a serial of switchbacks until we reach Belvedere Avenue in the seaside community of Stinson Beach .
Here we had tiffin , and I have to admit it feel somewhat strange to go from a hard wooded forest , where we had utter solitude , correct to a bustling footling tourist town full of cafes and curio shop .
We took a few minutes to take in the sea breeze and sink our foot into the sand . Typically the beaches along this coast are bleary and cool , so it was a real treat to have a summery sort of day where the sky was cloudless and the air was ardent … in April !
Near the beach , we picked up part of the Dipsea Trail which ascended a grassy slope . At the crown you had view for Day of the Pacific Ocean , Stinson Beach and Bolinas Lagoon .
It connected with the Steep Ravine Trail which , despite the name , was not as ominous as it sounded . Steep Ravine followed a regular uphill track along Webb Creek , rising 1,000 feet in 2 Admiralty mile . The climb was temperate and took us through a steep sequoia canyon .
cross over flow and waterfalls , scurry over fall Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree short pants , Harlan F. Stone steps and footbridges were all part of the adventure . And let me tell you , those California sequoia are something else ! Every time I find myself in the coastal redwoods , I finger so much love for this beautiful state .
And just like that , a little over four minute after we first set off , we were back at our auto at Pan Toll . An good afternoon well drop !
