Waterfalls of Marin County

10th February 2008

Two weeks of rain gave me plenty of time to plan this 'waterfalls hunting' activity. There are many small yet beautiful waterfalls in the parks around bay area which live for very short time of the year. I was waiting for a heavy rain so that I can check some of these out. And this was the perfect time !!

I had pinged few of the photographers, hikers for this activity. Some were not interested, some didn't even respond. No worries ... world is big and you will always find friends to go with :) Though she had problem with her ITB, this time Heena made it :) We both were very much excited about our waterfalls hunting. And then James joined us too.

My plan was agreed by the other two and so our plan was to visit 4 waterfalls, first one being Cascade Falls in Cascade Park, Mill Valley. This is also called as Old Mill Park. This is very easily accessible and Heena and James were wondering that a beautiful waterfalls so near to the city ? Huh ... well it is. The road to the park is a bit narrow, windy and confusing. The hike to this falls is very negligible though.


Then we started to the second destination, Little Carson Falls in Mt Tamalpais Marin Municipal Water District. I am not sure if this is ‘little’ where is the ‘bigger one’ :) We hiked 4 miles round trip with some ascend and descend. Taking pictures was main activity. But, as the sun was right on top of our head, that ‘cotton-candy’ effect was a bit difficult. Using both ND filters (x8 and x4) together was not enough. There was not enough water to make this three cascade tall waterfalls attractive. Both sun and the shade together in one frame didn’t get any good picture. But, still worth visiting.

Now, my left knee was proving its existence. Yesterday’s 14+ miles hike had drained out all my energy and the peanut butter sandwich was not working today either. We had our short lunch break at the middle cascade and retraced our steps back to the trailhead. With James around there cannot be a longer lunch break and you cannot hike slow.

Our third destination was again a Cascade Falls at Cascade Canyon Open Space Preserve, Fairfax. Parking is a big problem here. A short 2 miles hike leads to this pretty waterfalls. Since this is an easily accessible waterfalls the trails are crowded. And it is difficult to get a good picture of the waterfalls with no people doing some stupid thing.

Now, my left knee was hurting a bit. Not much but a bit. When I thought of next destination, Stair step falls at Samuel P. Taylor State Park, I didn’t feel like hiking those 2.5 miles. This waterfalls always trickles. So, Heena and James agreed to my proposal of abandoning the last destination :)

On the way back we had a late lunch at Thep Lela Thai Restaurant at Strawberry Village, Mill Valley. I loved my Pad Eggplant (Eggplant, tofu and sweet basil cooked in some sweet sauce).

20 miles of hiking, seven waterfalls, no driving, lively chat with friends and a good meal !! Hmmmm… nice weekend.