A fairly impressive Web site, (www.marintrails.com) states categorically that Marin County has the finest urban park systems in the world with over 600 miles of wonderful trails. While this statement might be overblown by about 100 miles since a mere 500 miles of trails are claimed elsewhere in the site, who cares? Its clear that Marin County is heaven for hikers.
Don and Kay Martin actually sat down long enough to gather specific details and routes of 141 separate hikes within Marin County for their book entitled, Hiking Marin, 141 Great Hikes in Marin County, which provides detailed 3D maps for each hike and directions to each trailhead.
It is doubtless true that Marin County is a hikers paradise with 3 national parks, 6 state parks, 24 county open space lands and 7 other parks and open space areas. Kidding aside, an amazing 42% of these lands are open to the public, which leaves more hiking than most of us could possibly hike in a lifetime.
The most important consideration before choosing a specific hiking trail is the weather, say the experts. What is a great hiking trail in sunny weather can turn to a dismal one with bad weather with fog, drizzle and only 100 feet of visibility. Other essential considerations include the distance of the hike, the elevation changes during the hike, the difficulty level of the trail and the availability of shade along the way.
December and January arent the best hiking weather, but between the raindrops that fall during those winter months, one can hike along the ocean and see whales and elephant seals. Late winter months of February and March, while extremely wet, are the best months to hike. This is when various spring flowers begin to bloom for those not bothered by allergies.
As the weather improves and everything is verdant and fragrant, one may experience more great hiking in the spring months of April and May. As dryness and heat become the norm during the summer months of June and July, there are still cool and foggy areas that beg to be hiked: Muir Woods, Steep Ravine and the Marin Headlands are a few of them.
The best places to hike during August and September, the still hotter and drier months, are on the coast and the beach areas, as well as north-facing trails. Early morning is the best time to hike when the sun hasnt started to burn through the fog. It is best to avoid Mt. Tamalpais and the hills and ridges of central and north Marin because of fire hazards.
The coast, south-facing trails and woodlands in central Marin and around the lakes are ideal for hiking in October and November when it can be gusty with occasional rain, yet many sunny days.
Essentials for a hike include good hiking boots, water, or other fluids, a first aid kit, a light jacket, extra food and a poncho in winter and sunscreen in the summer. Others include a knife, a hat, book or map, flashlight, binoculars, a compass and a whistle, (the writer adds) a cellphone, which may or may not work in the western reaches of Marin County. Any or all of these things may be extremely handy in case you get lost or have an accident.
Don and Kay Martin actually sat down long enough to gather specific details and routes of 141 separate hikes within Marin County for their book entitled, Hiking Marin, 141 Great Hikes in Marin County, which provides detailed 3D maps for each hike and directions to each trailhead.
It is doubtless true that Marin County is a hikers paradise with 3 national parks, 6 state parks, 24 county open space lands and 7 other parks and open space areas. Kidding aside, an amazing 42% of these lands are open to the public, which leaves more hiking than most of us could possibly hike in a lifetime.
The most important consideration before choosing a specific hiking trail is the weather, say the experts. What is a great hiking trail in sunny weather can turn to a dismal one with bad weather with fog, drizzle and only 100 feet of visibility. Other essential considerations include the distance of the hike, the elevation changes during the hike, the difficulty level of the trail and the availability of shade along the way.
December and January arent the best hiking weather, but between the raindrops that fall during those winter months, one can hike along the ocean and see whales and elephant seals. Late winter months of February and March, while extremely wet, are the best months to hike. This is when various spring flowers begin to bloom for those not bothered by allergies.
As the weather improves and everything is verdant and fragrant, one may experience more great hiking in the spring months of April and May. As dryness and heat become the norm during the summer months of June and July, there are still cool and foggy areas that beg to be hiked: Muir Woods, Steep Ravine and the Marin Headlands are a few of them.
The best places to hike during August and September, the still hotter and drier months, are on the coast and the beach areas, as well as north-facing trails. Early morning is the best time to hike when the sun hasnt started to burn through the fog. It is best to avoid Mt. Tamalpais and the hills and ridges of central and north Marin because of fire hazards.
The coast, south-facing trails and woodlands in central Marin and around the lakes are ideal for hiking in October and November when it can be gusty with occasional rain, yet many sunny days.
Essentials for a hike include good hiking boots, water, or other fluids, a first aid kit, a light jacket, extra food and a poncho in winter and sunscreen in the summer. Others include a knife, a hat, book or map, flashlight, binoculars, a compass and a whistle, (the writer adds) a cellphone, which may or may not work in the western reaches of Marin County. Any or all of these things may be extremely handy in case you get lost or have an accident.
About the Author:
David DuPont, an outdoor enthusiast and principal with The DuPont Group in Mill Valley, California, specializes in Marin County homes and homes for sale in Mill Valley, CA for individuals and families. David is a Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES) and brought to market the nations largest residential real estate transaction in 2005.
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