Hikers enjoy Dawn Falls, Barbara Springs trails
[Updated from November 2021]
Mt. Tamalpais has well over 100 miles of hiking trails, from the steep and strenuous to the relaxed and nature focused. For this venture, we walked 1.5 miles on the Dawn Falls Trail to the Southern Marin Line Fire Roud until reaching the Barbara Springs Trail and back to the car, making an easy but stunning 3.5-mile hike.
The Dawn Falls Trail is a short and popular 1.4 mile walk with over 510 feet in elevation gain to its main attraction, Dawn Falls. Although the “Falls” is more of a trickle given its only active during or after a heavy rain, the walk shows you what makes Mt. Tam so magnificent.
At times, you will pass through narrow corridors of redwood trees that look something out of a fairytale with the steam of cold air during these cold months.
Starting at the Dawn Falls Trailhead on Madrone Avenue in Larkspur, the trail along the inactive Larkspur Creek is a palette of vibrant fall colors from maple leaves; redwoods tower over in every direction, while lush green moss covers every tree, stone, and branch.
It is worth mentioning that the Dawn Falls Trail is a mostly slim passage of under three-feet wide—meaning you will have to be patient when passing by hikers, runners, and an inevitable number of groups during weekends. Our 10 a.m. walk up to the falls passed a staggering 49 people in the 1.5 miles, passing another 34 people in the remaining two miles back to the car—making 83 people passed in total, so near 24 other patrons per mile.
For those conscious of personal space, continue on the Southern Marin Line Fire Road; a dirt road which is wide enough to adequate two lanes of cars. Otherwise, you can continue up the Hoo Koo E Koo Trail and Blithedale Ridge trails, which will more than double your elevation gain to provide a workout of near 1,200 feet until re-intersecting with the fire road.
You’ll get glimpses of Mt. Tam’s eastern peak from the fire road. The 0.5 mile walk down the Barbara Springs Trail back to the car is a very steep 500 foot descent back with tree roots shooting out in every direction—so be wary. You’ll likely have to use your hands at point if you don’t have hiking sticks.
