MT. TAM: WEST FORK LAGUNITAS CREEK HIDDEN FALLS HIKE

  • 01/15/2022
  • 8:45 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Hikeleader: Gary Weiss

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  • Registration for an SF Hiking Club Event and agreement with waiver of liability.

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MT. TAM: WEST FORK LAGUNITAS CREEK HIDDEN FALLS HIKE

Hike Date:  Saturday, January 15, 2022

Leader:  Gary Weiss

Leader Email:  gary@sfhiking.com

Leader Phone:  415 279-5570

Meeting Location (ONLY IF you've arranged for a ride in SF): Whole Foods;
2001 Market St. @ Dolores (on the Dolores St. side); parking on the street or below.
Please only show up at Whole Foods if you've arranged to meet your ride or driver there.

Meeting Time:  8:45 AM

Departure Time:  Shortly after 8:45 AM

Rating: Level 4

Mileage:  8.5 miles

Elevation Gain: 1700'

Description: The Falls on the West Fork of Lagunitas Creek are among the tallest on Mt. Tamalpais. And no official trail leads to them. During the rainy winter months they are quite impressive, but dwindle down to a trickle by summer. We start at the Lake Lagunitas parking lot at the end of Sky Oaks Rd. It's kind of an obstacle course of fallen trees to get up to the falls, but well worth it. There are a number of brief sections where getting under or over fallen trees can be a bit tricky, but they're over with quickly.  From the Falls we continue the climb up to Lower Northside Trail where we'll pass Colier Spring.  We then head over to Van Wyck Creek where we begin our descent. Most of the hike will be on utterly unmapped trails. After any recent rains, the falls should be spectacular - the rest is spectacular all year.  

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:  Please bring LOTS of water, lunch, sturdy hiking shoes.

Weather Policy:  Check with hikeleader in the event of questionable weather.

Alternate Meeting Place #1: In order to go in the fewest cars possible and save on the $8 entrance fee we can meet at the Fairfax Parkade.  Exit 101 at the San Anselmo/Sir Francis Drake exit.  Continue on Sir Francis Drake, staying left at the large (Red Hill) intersection until you reach Fairfax, passing the huge Good Earth Store on the left and a tiny gas station.  The Parkade is a block long parking lot on your left.  Enter at the far right corner.  The G-Maps link is for the movie theater across the street.  Don't meet there: meet near the exit of the Parkade lot.  Google Maps Link

Alternate Meeting Time #1:  9:45 AM

Alternate Meeting Departure Time #1: Shortly after 9:45 AM

Alternate 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 a mile until you see a large sign on the left that says: Lake Lagunitas, Alpine Lake, Bon Tempe Lake... Turn left here.  At the pay station pay $8 then continue on the road to the very end of the road. Google Maps Link

Alternate Meeting Time #2:  10:00 AM

Alternate Meeting Departure Time #2:  10:15 AM

Total driving distance, there and back: 50 miles

Passenger Carpool Fees including Bridge Toll and Entrance Fee:  $10

Level-1
Level-2
Level-3 Level-4 Level-5

easiest
< 5 miles
< 500' gain

moderately easy
5-7 miles
< 1000' gain
 moderate
7-9 miles
< 1500' gain

  strenuous
9-12 miles
< 2000' gain 

very strenuous
12-15+ miles
  >2000' gain


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