4. Kent Trail along Alpine Lake in Marin Municipal Water District

Distance: 5.2 miles
Shaded: 70%
Elevation Change: 800'
Hiking: 10
Difficulty: 8 Steep, very rocky in places
When to Go: Good anytime, best in spring, when cool. Parking fee.
This is an exhilarating hike along the conifer shores of Alpine Lake, up through a redwood forest, emerging onto a ridge with good views. Trail can be hard to follow at mile 3.1. For the latest trail information, call the Sky Oaks Ranger Station 415-459-5267.
This map looks best on a high-resolution monitor displaying 256 shades of grey. The map and hike description are excerpts from the book, Hiking Marin, 141 Great Hikes in Marin County, ©2006 by Don and Kay Martin.
 
This hike starts at Bon Tempe Dam in Marin Muncipal Water District
 
Getting there from Hwy 101:
In Greenbrae, W on Sir Francis Drake for 5.2 miles to Fairfax. At stoplight, L on Claus, L on Broadway, R on Bolinas Rd. L on Sky Oaks Rd. R on road to Bon Tempe Dam. Fee.

0.0 Start at the parking area below Bon Tempe dam and head uphill to the spillway. Go across the dam and enjoy the views.
0.3 Junction #1. At dam's end, continue right above Alpine Lake and past lichen-covered oaks. In February, look for white milkmaids, yellow buttercup, pink shooting star and blue hound's tongue among the ferns and mosses along the road bank.
0.8 Pumphouse and Kent trail. The road ends at a pumphouse where water from Alpine Lake is pumped to Bon Tempe Lake and on to a treatment plant. Follow the narrow trail as it winds along the lake.
1.8 Views. The trail offers great views of conifer forest across the lake, just like the high Sierra. Just ahead, the trail enters Van Wyck canyon, a gorgeous canyon of tall redwood, bay, ferns and mosses.
2.1 Big fir. A giant Douglas fir stands on a small knoll watching over skinny madrones; its side trunk is as big as the main trunk. Up ahead, the trail enters into a silted canyon with a narrow stream bed.
2.3 Junction #2. About 100 yds. past the sign, Helen Markt Tr, take the Kent trail left uphill. This trail was originally called the Swede George trail after an oldtimer who had a cabin in the area around 1870. Huckleberries can be picked here in early fall.
2.6 Canyon and forest. The trail enters a large canyon covered with tall oaks, bay and redwood. Up past a slide, the trail skirts Foul Pool, then follows the creek through a magnificent redwood forest.
3.1 Junction #3. Take the Stocking trail left. The trail climbs 20', then heads downhill skirting secluded Hidden Lake, then meanders uphill along a creek bed.
3.8 Junction with Rocky Ridge FR. Turn left and go up the road 200' for great views south and east. Continue on the road. Note: There is very little shade on this rough, rocky section of FR.
4.9 Junction. Go right and cross the dam.
5.2 Back at the parking area. Restroom facilities only.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this web site is only a general guide. We do not accept liability or legal responsibility for trail conditions, trail information, errors or omissions.

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