Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Cataract Falls

In his Outdoor and Sunday Drive columns for the San Francisco Chronicle, Tom Stienstra (the one writer I read in the newspaper's Sports section) has extolled the trails to beautiful waterfalls in the Marin Watershed . Until recently, adequate rainfall, good weather and free time have never fortuitously coincided.

When a day of gorgeous weather popped up after a rainy day in the middle of Memorial weekend, I dropped everything and opted for a hike on the longest - 2 miles - and steepest - 750-foot climb - trail of the three – Cataract Trail.

Cataract Falls is not one long drop, like you may find in Yosemite, but a series of cascades, all more beautiful than these photos can reveal. A hobbit's stone house sits in a pool at the foot of one cascade.

Wildflowers bloomed along the trail.


 


 

 







The wildflowr at left with its hooks may have been the inspiration for Velcro.





A lizard takes advantage of the sun in the shelter of a hollowed out tree.




A respite in the picnic dell at the top. After two hours up the trail, sitting felt wonderful.


Another hour back down the trail and justification for a hearty meal.

A good day. 

1 comment:

  1. I love to be on the trail. It not only uplifts my spirits but provides great sources of inspiration. Sounds like a great day.

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