Mount Tamalpais State Park-led Guided Hike | Early Spring Delights: Flowers & Flowing Water

Early spring is a delightful time on Mount Tamalpais and in Muir Woods. The water from winter rain still swells waterways and brings out the green in forest and field and early grassland wildflowers join the varied forest wildflowers in delighting the eyes.

This hike will seek out all the variety of visual delights that we can pack into a reasonable hike, without needing a Muir Woods parking reservation! The longish, meandering route will maximize opportunities to find forest wildflowers, including calypso orchids, enjoy the flow of Redwood Creek, and seek out the emerging grassland and chaparral wildflowers.

This is a moderate to strenuous 5.5-mile loop hike that will gain about 900 feet of elevation altogether. The route descends on Alice Eastwood Road, Plevin Cut, and Alice Eastwood Trail and will return via a steep climb up Dipsea Trail followed by the more gentle Sun, Redwood, and Panoramic Trails.

• Participants should carry water and snacks (to be consumed in designated areas), dress in layers, and wear shoes suitable for potentially muddy hiking trails.
• Ticks and poison oak may be present along the trail.
• Pets other than service animals are not permitted on this hike.