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Marin County  If you want to be inspired and enchanted, get out and enjoy Marin County's refreshing waterfalls. The map left shows the location of each falls. The reference to hikes at the end of each description refers to the book, Hiking Marin, 141 Great Hikes in Marin County, ©2006 by Don and Kay Martin. |
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1. Steep Ravine near Pantoll on Mt. Tamalpais Steep Ravine offers spectacular redwoods, ferns, mosses, berries, tumbled trees, wooden bridges, quiet pools and cascading waterfalls. Directions from Hwy 101: Near Sausaltio, W on Hwy 1, R on Panoramic Hwy to Pantoll parking area. Fee. Take the Steep Ravine trail downhill 1.6 miles or see Hikes B14 and B16.
Scenery from Hawaii with wonderful pools, waterfalls and conifer forests. However, it does require a steep climb that may be impassable during heavy runoff. Directions from Hwy 101: In Greenbrae, W on Sir Francis Drake to Fairfax, L on Bolinas Rd for 8 winding miles to just past Alpine Dam. Climb up at least 0.6 miles. See Hike C11. 3. Cascade Falls in Fairfax This refreshing falls is easy to hike to, but parking is very restricted. The hike also offers great wildflowers in March. Directions from Hwy 101: In Greenbrae, W on Sir Francis Drake to Fairfax, L on Bolinas Rd, R on Cascade Dr to the end. Parking laws strictly enforced. Hike in 0.5 miles staying along the creek. See Hikes D2 and D3 4. Dawn Falls in Larkspur This is a lovely falls located in an enchanting forest of tall redwoods and moss-covered bay trees.. Directions from Hwy 101: In Greenbrae, W on SF Drake, L on Bon Air Rd, L on Magnolia for 0.8 miles, R on Madrone to the end. Restricted parking. Hike along the creek for 0.7 miles. See Hike A15. 5. Little Carson Creek Falls on Pine Mountain Carson Creek may be little, but the falls are not. These are the tallest falls in Marin totaling over 90 feet. Directions from Hwy 101: In Greenbrae, W on Sir Francis Drake to Fairfax, L on Bolinas Rd for 3.8 miles to the top of the hill and parking. Hike up Pine Mtn. Rd, then left on Oat Hill Rd for 0.3 miles. Take the narrow trail downhill to the right. See Hike D8 or D9. 6. Stairstep Falls in Samuel Taylor State Park These picturesque 40 foot falls are easy to get to. If you hike in the early winter a few days after a heavy rain, you might see salmon coming upstream to spawn. Directions from Hwy 101: In Greenbrae, W on Sir Francis Drake to Devils Gulch in Taylor State Park. Head up the creek for 0.2 miles, then cross the bridge and go left. for 0.6 miles, then L again for 0.1 mile. See Hike D10. 7. Alamere Falls in Point Reyes National Seashore Where else can you see a 50 foot waterfall cascade onto the beach. You have to hike 6.6 miles to get to the base of the falls with the last mile along the beach requiring a low tide. But it's a great hike. Directions from Hwy 101: In Mill Valley, W on Hwy 1 towards Stinson Beach, but keep going past Bolinas Lagoon, L on Olema-Bolinas Rd, R on Mesa Rd to Palomarin trailhead. Hike 5.5 miles along the Coast trail to Wildcat Camp, then back south along the beach for 1.1 miles. (Note that's 13 miles roundtrip.) See Hike F17. Options: Return to Marin Trails Home Page |
