Quarterly Visit #4: A Walk in the Carson Country, Marin County
Details
Join us for the fourth of four planned visits to the Carson Country in Marin County.
The Carson Country, between Fairfax and Alpine Dam, is probably my favorite place on Earth. Though well under an hour from Berkeley, it’s another world.
The trip starts at the Azalea Hill parking lot and heads northwest on the Pine Hill Fire Rd for an approximately 5 mile out-and-back walk, with a loop at the end. I figure 3 or 4 hours at a slow pace with lots of stops to look at plants. There’s a bit of up and down, some of it modestly steep, some narrow trails on the loop, and the road may be wet or rocky. But any regular day hiker with sturdy boots and used to trails should have no problem. Besides, if you get tired, just stop: it’s heaven everywhere.
The geology is what makes this route special, crossing back and forth from Franciscan melange to serpentine. The plants change as abruptly as the soil.
What to see besides amazing views if it’s clear? At this time of year, a rare manzanita, a serpentine-endemic California lilac, an enchanting dwarf Sargent cypress forest, unusual oaks, and the possibility of late-blooming gentians.
The plan has been to visit quarterly, starting in the fall to get a sense of the landscape. Later excursions will catch the progression of flowering plants in the winter, spring, and summer.
Suggested Equipment: Hats, extra water, sturdy shoes, hiking sticks if you like, sunscreen, layers, a sandwich, hand lens, binoculars: the usual.
Please leave your dogs at home. I love dogs, too, but if dogs get under foot, even well-behaved dogs, we risk plants and people, particularly on the hillside single-track stretch of the loop.
Leader: Roy West is a writer and long-time native plant volunteer. He is not a real botanist.
References:
Geology
Marin CNPS Plant Lists
- AZALEA HILL and South End of CARSON RIDGE (with a good description of the geology)
- CARSON RIDGE from AZALEA HILL to SAN GERONIMO RIDGE JUNCTION
Carson Country Mysteries
- The Black Hole of Marin (1800s)
-------
By joining this group or participating in an event, members and any guests agree to be 100% responsible for their own safety and health. Members and any guests agree to hold harmless and indemnify California Native Plant Society, its representative chapters, any organizers, event leaders, agents and employees from any and all liability arising from the existence of this group. Members agree to notify any guests of this legal requirement before participation in a group activity. Additionally, if the member or participant is a minor, the minor's responsible adult must agree to this release of liability regarding the minor before the minor may participate.