MT. TAMALPAIS: WEST FORK LAGUNITAS CREEK HIDDEN FALLS SATURDAY HIKE

MT. TAMALPAIS: WEST FORK LAGUNITAS CREEK HIDDEN FALLS

Leader: Gary Weiss

Leader Email: gary@sfhiking.com

Leader Phone: 415-279-5570

Meeting Date and Day: Saturday, Feb 15 2020

Meeting Time: 8:45 AM

Departure Time: 9:00 AM

Meeting Place: Under the Safeway sign on Market @ Dolores

Rating: Level-4

Mileage: 9

Elevation Gain: 1750'

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. From there we continue the climb up to Lower Northside Trail, then head over to the Van Wyck watershed trails. Most of the hike will be on utterly unmapped trails. After any recent rains, the hike should be spectacular!

Bring/Wear: Layers, plenty of water (you can fill up at the parking area), snacks, lunch and VERY sturdy hiking shoes. 

Rain Policy: Contact hike leader if weather is questionable 

Driving Distance: 50 miles, there and back

Total Bridge Tolls and Entry Fees: $8.00 entry fee + $7.00 bridge toll

Car Pool Fees: $10

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 to save on the entrance fee. 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: 9:45 AM

Alternative Meeting Departure Time #1: 10:00 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. After a bit over a mile you'll see a sign on the left for Lake Lagunitas. Take that left. After passing the empty kiosk stop on the right to pay the $8.00 entrance fee into the Marin Municipal Water District. Continue on the paved road until the very end.  We'll meet near the group of porta potties. G-Maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/HugYrM3qVKkDizY47

Alternative Meeting Time #2: 10:15 AM

Alternative Meeting Departure Time #2: 10:30 AM