MT. TAM: CASCADE FALLS, THE INK WELLS & SAN GERONIMO RIDGE

Leader: Brian Chan

Leader Email: brianchan227@gmail.com

Leader Phone: ‭(415) 861-8956‬

Meeting Date and Day: Saturday, March 6, 2021

Meeting Time: 10:00 AM

Departure Time: 10:15 AM

Meeting Place: We'll meet at Elliott Nature Preserve at the end of Cascade Drive in Fairfax.  When in Fairfax take the left turn onto Bolinas-Fairfax Road.  After passing the local stores, Police Station and 7-11, you'll come to a 4-way intersection.  Take the center option through the brick columns (or rather between them).  That is Cascade Drive.  Go to the very end and then turn around looking for parking.   Make sure you leave 12' between parked cars for fire trucks.  We'll meet inside the gate near a large informational sign.
Google Maps link

Rating:  Level 4

Mileage: 10.5 miles

Elevation Gain: 2500'

Description:  This is a hike that Gary Weiss led 4 years ago. 
We'll follow San Anselmo Creek and then Cascade Creek to the falls, and then - unless we've just had a heavy rain - we'll walk over the falls (easier than it sounds) and continue up to the Ink Wells - a spectacular, undisturbed area with a short but powerful waterfall that has created deep pools in the rock over time.  We'll then continue to climb, through what appears to be a dwarf pygmy forest of Sargent Cypress, on the San Geronimo Ridge Fire Road.  Then we'll cut down Repine Trail to the Saddle.  From there we'll continue onto Pine Mountain Road down to Carey Camp.  We'll be on Carey Camp, then Happersberger Trails which wind around to terminate at Happersberger Point at the end of Pine Mountain Tunnel Road.  We'll then continue for a while until the trail that takes us back down to the preserve.

Marin County has relaxed its group-size restrictions.  But all of the usual directives, masks, distancing..... MUST be followed.  These initial hikes will be limited to 16 people.
Below are the regulations:

• We need to stay at least 6' apart at all times;
• You need to keep whatever type of mask you prefer around your neck at all times to be prepared to put it in place at a moment's notice when encountering others.  Some prefer to wear a mask at all times - even better!  The easiest solution some of us have found is to wear a bandana around your neck, shifting it up over your nose and mouth when passing or speaking with others;
• Ideally, unless you're members of one household, there should be one passenger in the back right seat only.  Drivers and passengers can decide what they feel comfortable with.  PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED A RIDE AND/OR CAN TAKE A PASSENGER, AND WHAT YOUR COMFORT LEVEL IS REGARDING PASSENGERS.

Bring/Wear:  Plenty of water, sturdy hiking shoes, lunch, snacks, layers (we'll be on the cooler north side of the mountain) and your MASK.

Rain Policy: Canceled in the event of heavy rain.  Please contact the hikeleader if there's any doubt.

Driving Distance: 47 miles total there and back

Car Pool Fees Including Bridge Toll: $8