The views of the best fall are distant but unobscured, creating this drop arguably one of the most outstanding on The complete hike. Take a breather here prior to heading on.
Ascend a list of picket stairs at about eight/10 mile, then drop to a spur trail, which can be well worth getting and sales opportunities just one to an important waterfall, listed as Midway Falls. This drop, at around 25 ft, is the very best encountered nevertheless.
The Cataract Path loop is about seven miles, starting on the falls and ending on the falls. Here is the sort of path that’s ideal for a wet working day whenever you’re itching for getting outdoors.
In Marin County’s circumstance, that usually implies the Winter season months. If you're able to time your trek to coincide with a crack in stormy climate, you’ll reach see the falls at their very best.
There are various footbridges to cross along how, such as a slender one with waterfalls on both facet. A lot of the path is either uphill or up stairs, by using a few flat stretches in between.
Stay around the narrower path since it commences to climb more steadily, coming to the initial list of major cascades on the left at about three/10 mile. Listed here a tributary also converges with the leading drainage which is crossed partway up a steep, stone staircase.
From listed here it truly is a brief wander to a junction, exactly where a set of measures sales opportunities down to a different nice pool fed by compact cataracts.
Cataract Falls is really a mile long number of smaller cascades, tumbling by way of a steep redwood-lined gully inside the Mount Tamalpais watershed.
The waters within the southern inlet in this article are typically murky but gleam turquoise-green during the partial Sunshine. Following one/10 mile, the Cataract Trail skirts a little cove, traverses a short bridge over a tumbling tributary stream, and ascends a brief staircase prior to levelling all over again.
There were even a handful of modest sections with drinking water operating over them. Even with no rain, the trail is uneven and there are various rocky stairs, so climbing boots are normally a superb wager.
Our solitude finished upon returning on the Cataract Creek path. By now it had been mid-working day so tons of individuals ended up out taking pleasure in the falls. It had been a brief downhill wander back on the parking space which was now filled with automobiles.
You can see the trailhead on Google Maps below. In addition it shows a rough map of The trail, so it’s a fantastic starting point. It’s useful for driving directions, far too.
Rob and I each questioned why any person would title a reservoir in Marin County “Alpine” Lake. It’s a lake, Indeed, but there’s a dam, no snow and no altitude.
You’re not even allowed to swim in it. Essentially the alternative of nearly anything alpine. However, the surroundings around the lake was serene and pleasing.
Before cataract falls hike long the trail turns clear of the falls and rounds up a slope into a signed junction at one.2 miles. Hikers can turn all around here and return to the beginning. But curious wanderers will most likely would like to drive a little bit even more, and thus tackle the proposed loop part that starts at this fork.
This pretty place is a way station on many hikes in the region, and you can find a set of pit toilets that hikes can use.