Decided to take advantage of the recent rains and hit a Mt Tamalpais summit loop that included lakes, creeks, and waterfalls. And, we were amply rewarded.

We approached from the Lake Lagunitas parking area in the Marin Municipal Water District. The entrance is just outside of Fairfax on Bolinas Rd. – $8 for parking (cc accepted). We started next to the water chute leading from Lake Lagunitas, heading across the earthen dam to Lake View Rd which circled the lake on the north side. From there we headed up Eldridge Grade and headed past Inspiration Point up to the summit of Mt Tam from the north. Unfortunately clouds came in and surrounded the peak as we got there, so no great views from the top when we were there. We tagged the door and got a couple pics and headed down to Middle Peak Road and onto International Trail. The recent rains were evident in the rushing creeks and a bit of marshy trail through Potrero Meadow. We headed down Mickey O’Brien Trail, paralleling a creek which ultimately fed into Cataract Creek past the Laurel Dell Picnic Area. I was up here in the fall, and there was nowhere near this much water.

We started down Cataract Trail, and were almost immediately rewarded with rushing water and incredible views of the falls. The entire section along Cataract Creek was filled with “wow!” moments. We turned onto Helen Markt Trail to Alpine Lake, which was now at capacity. There were several sections that required some puddle jumping on the Kent Trail, which was a bit muddier than the trails above the lake. We finished along Shadyside Trail past Bon Tempe Lake. We rewarded ourselves with a couple beers and great food at Gestalt Haus Beer Garden on Bolinas Rd just off Broadway in the town of Fairfax.

I highly recommend this loop if you have not been this way. The entire Marin Municipal watershed includes several lakes and trails along the north and west side of Mt Tam.

I’ve included a link below to the AllTrails route that we followed.