Baltimore Canyon out & back with a loop around King Mt. Fairly easy. 7.3m/1005ft

Hi Ladies,
Please join me for this out and back hike, plus a little 3 mile loop detour in the middle in the beautiful woodsy Baltimore Canyon. This is an easier route than we did a few weeks ago in Baltimore Canyon. We'll start in the same spot, on Piedmont Road and head onto Piedmont Trail, and Dawn Falls Trail until we get to the Ladybug Trail. We make a detour there, and loop around King Mt back to Ladybug. We go back to Dawn Trail and continue further out to Dawn Falls (which I'm sure are not "Falling" yet.). We'll turn around at the big rock and head back the way we came, except not back around King Mt. It tracks at about 7.3 miles and 1005 ft. Mostly shaded.

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE HAVE BEEN HIKING A BIT FASTER LATELY. We have been averaging about 21-25 minute miles on the up and the down. If you are a slow hiker, you may not be able to keep up with the group. Please know your own level and pace and only sign up if your fitness level fits. If you are significantly slower, you will be asked to turn around or hike on your own. I apologize, but we have all been working to get our fitness level up!!

No bathrooms and no water.

Please have "boots on" and be ready to hike at 9:30.

Parking. Please drive down to the end of Piedmont Road in Larkspur and look for parking along the road. There is no lot. We will meet at the end of Piedmont where it turns into Coleman. For GPS, you can use the address of: 30 Piedmont Road, Larkspur.

Speed:
Please note that we hike at about 21-25 minutes per mile (sometimes 22/23) on average, even while going up and down. We don't rush but we also don't take a lot of breaks. We make bathroom, water and short snack breaks and sometimes take a photo or two. We stop at junctions to make sure we're all together. If it's a longer hike, we may stop for lunch and that will be included in the hike description above. Please know your fitness level and be sure you can keep up. If you are significantly slower, you will be asked to turn around or hike on your own.

Elevation:
If the elevation statistics means nothing to you, think of it as:
1000 feet of elevation gain = ~100 flights of stairs.
Please look at the stats and know what you're signing up for and that you have the fitness level required for the hike.

IMPORTANT:
For the safety and well-being of the group, please take into consideration the distance/elevation gain-loss and your own fitness level when signing up for a hike. As the group leader, I organize hikes but please note that I take no responsibility for your safety. If signing up for a hike, please agree that you are responsible for your own well-being. Sorry, no dogs. Please note that there's a 2 "no-shows" and last minute (less than 24 hours) removal from group policy. Please be courteous to the group and be on time so we can stick to the schedule. Thank you!

MANDATORY:
For all participating members I am requesting that you please be sure to fill out the "Membership Details" for this group under your profile BEFORE your next event. It will only take one minute and it is mandatory going forward before you participate in any hikes or events. It only needs to be done once. PLEASE NOTE -- THIS MUST BE COMPLETED BEFORE ATTENDING THIS EVENT OR ANY HIKES: (If you are a new member, you would have already completed this.)

***MEMBERS WHO RSVP AND HAVE NOT COMPLETED THIS, WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY MOVED TO THE NOT GOING LIST. YOU MUST COMPLETE THE MEMBERSHIP DETAILS BEFORE YOU ARE ALLOWED TO JOIN, PLEASE!!!!!*** You may rejoin the hike once this is completed if there is still space. Thank you!!!

To find the form, you need to use a desktop or laptop. It does not work on the mobile app. (Or to make it even easier: remove yourself from the group and then rejoin. An automatic prompt to answer the questions will pop up, even on your mobile phone.)

1. Click on the downward arrow next to your profile photo in the top righthand corner of the Meet Up Page.
2. Click on "View Profile".
3. Look for "Marin Women's Hiking Group".
4. Click on "Membership Details".
5. Answer ALL FIVE questions under "Group Bio".

Thank you very much!
Laura