MT. TAM'S NORTH SIDE: BON TEMPE DAM TO "REALLY HIDDEN LAKE"

MT. TAM'S NORTH SIDE: BON TEMPE DAM TO "REALLY HIDDEN LAKE"

Hike Date:  Saturday, May 16, 2026

Leader:  Gary Weiss

Leader Email:  gary@sfhiking.com

Leader Phone:  415 279-5570

SF Meeting Location: 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.

East Bay Meeting Location: Rockridge BART, bottom of escalator.

Meeting Times: 9:00 AM from either SF OR Rockridge BART.

Rating: Level 3

Mileage:  8 miles

Elevation Gain: 1200'

THIS HIKE REPLACES THE TARWATER/PESCADERO CREEK HIKE THAT WAS CANCELED DUE TO TEMPORARY TRAIL CLOSURES.

Description:  If I had to pick my favorite area of Mt. Tam, the Van Wyck Watershed on the northern slopes of the mountain would win.  It's utterly remote, green and has gorgeous stands of redwoods.  And then, of course - Really Hidden Lake is one of the most beautiful and peaceful spots on Mt. Tam, as compared with the much less interesting Hidden Lake on the Stocking Trail. The above photo is of the reflection of the redwoods in the lake.  I led a version of this hike in about a year and a half ago.  We start at Bon Tempe Dam, follow the Kent Trail along Alpine Lake for a couple of miles and then ascend a very gradual peaceful canyon to the lake.  We'll have our lunch at the lake.  After lunch we'll wander a bit more in that area for a bit before beginning our descent to Bon Tempe Dam.  If the weather is good, there will be an option to extend the hike around Bon Tempe Lake (not required).  The uphills on this hike are very gradual; there are a few somewhat steep downhills - worth the effort!  Dogs are always allowed in the Marin Water District.

Bring / Wear:  Please bring water, lunch, snacks, good hiking shoes, and hiking poles if you use them.  And chocolate!

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

Trailhead Meeting Place:  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 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 first (dirt) road on the right.  Take this for a while until you see a large parking area on the left.  If it's full you can either wait until someone leaves or continue on the road to the parking area at the end - then return.
Google Maps Link
(If you'd prefer to avoid paying the $8 entrance fee and drive in fewer cars we can meet in Fairfax on the way to the trailhead.  Let me know if you'd be interested in doing this.)

Trailhead Meeting Time:  10:00 AM

Trailhead Departure Time: 10:15 AM

Total driving distance, there and back: 48 miles from SF; 58 from Rockridge.

Passenger Carpool Fees from SF:  $11  From Rockridge BART: $12

(I will inform you of carpooling arrangements by late Thursday or early Friday.)