MT. TAM: CARSON FALLS, DUTCHMAN'S ROCK & AN ANCIENT REDWOOD GROVE SATURDAY HIKE

MT. TAM: CARSON FALLS, DUTCHMAN'S ROCK & AN ANCIENT REDWOOD GROVE

Leader: Gary Weiss

Leader Email: gary@sfhiking.com

Leader Phone: 415-279-5570

Meeting Date and Day: Saturday, Mar 07 2020

Meeting Time: 9:00 AM

Departure Time: 9:15 AM

Meeting Place: Under the Safeway sign on Market @ Dolores

Rating: Level-3

Mileage: 8.5 miles

Elevation Gain: 1500

Description: This hike will include every type of terrain that exists on Mt. Tam. We'll start off of Bolinas-Fairfax Road, climbing up to Dutchman's Rock, with spectacular views of lakes and the hills to the east. We then continue our climb up to the ridge, then drop all the way down to a beautiful old redwood grove before beginning the hike up to Carson Falls - the tallest and, when there's plenty of water, the most dramatic falls in the area. We'll spend the next mile or so on fire roads, then hike down the beautiful Carson Gulch, passing near the falls again. Then it's up Old Sled Trail and back down past Dutchman's Rock again to the cars. The majority of the trails will be unofficial and/or unmapped. If we've had any rain the falls will be incredible. 

Bring/Wear: Plenty of water, layers, lunch, snacks and very sturdy hiking shoes.  ALSO - IF YOU USE POLES, BRING THEM.  THERE ARE A FEW SHORT STEEP, SLIPPERY SECTIONS.

Rain Policy: Contact hike leader if weather is questionable 

Driving Distance: 55 miles total, there and back

Total Bridge Tolls: $7.00

Car Pool Fees: $9.00 per passenger

Alternative Meeting Place #1: We'll stop off at the Fairfax Parkade parking lot - right across from the movie theater (9 Broadway Street). From here we can carpool to the trailhead (very limited parking). Take Sir Francis Drake Blvd. until the town of Fairfax. After passing a tiny gas station on your left, you'll be driving alongside the Parkade. At the very end of it, get into the left turn lane. Enter the parking lot there. We'll be at the opposite end across from the theater. G-Maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/c8A1jQBsp2m

Alternative Meeting Time #1: 10:00 AM

Alternative Meeting Departure Time #1: 10:15 AM

Alternative Meeting Place #2: If you'd prefer to meet us at the trailhead, take US 101 to the San Anselmo/Sir Francis Drake Blvd. exit. Stay on SF Drake for a bit over 5 miles. After passing a tiny gas station on the left there will be a quick left onto Pacheco and an immediate right onto Broadway. At the first Stop sign go left onto Bolinas-Fairfax Rd. Continue for about 6 miles (white mileage marker on the side of the road says 5.88).  There will be a small dirt parking area on the right. Google Maps link:  https://goo.gl/maps/DTgxd2DWiT61gWz19

Alternative Meeting Time #2: 10:35 AM