Snow on Mt. Tamalpais

I interrupt the usual food postings to share with you some pictures taken during an early morning hike. Mt. Tamalpais stands 2,571 feet tall, or 784 meters, and being located in a very temperate area, it rarely sees any snow. I saw snow on the mountain only once before in the 9 years I have lived here, but it melted before I was able to hike up. Today was different, mainly it happened on a Sunday, and I was so determined to go up that I left the house by 8AM.


There was so much snow that it lasted a while, and there is still some this afternoon thanks to some cold clouds covering the sun. I took the view all in as I may never see this again in my lifetime, just amazing and priceless.

Downtown San Francisco seen from the top

Apparently the snow fell at a 100-year record high, I measured 6" of snow on the picnic tables near the top of the mountain, and it was so early that the snow was untouched. What an amazing place this is, I took the view all in as it is something I might not see again.

If you ever are in the Bay Area, this is a place to visit, well worth the hike.

Tennessee Valley Trailhead

This easy and accessible trail is part of the Golden Gate National Recreational Area, located in the Marin Headlands. The trail is 1.8 mile long, it starts at the trail head parking lot and ends at Tennessee Cove, a small sandy beach on the Pacific Ocean. The Valley you walk through was known as Elk Valley, once popular for hunting deer, bears, elk, coyotes and wild turkeys. Two years ago we run into a bobcat, just few feet away from us. This amazing animal was hunting a rodent and as we stopped to look at it and take pictures it slowly turned toward us and gave us a look as to say: Can't you see I am busy here? It then slowly walked away, very annoyed by our interruption.As I drove toward the parking lot I stumbled in a group of 12-16 wild turkeys, and the males were busy showing off their beautiful feathers, what a sight.

It was pretty cold at 9am and some plants were still covered in frost.

The trail is spectacular, the Miwok Indians must have been thriving in this area.

On the side of the trail there is a eucalyptus grove which makes the trail even more beautiful, but somewhat unnatural.
I was joined by two wonderful friends, J. and M., so I knew the hike would be fun. We stopped at the horse stables to visit a friend of J.'s.

and got to pet this beautiful horse that was recovering there. What a beauty.
The trail splits in a higher trail that is less affected by the rain, and a lower trail which can get pretty muddy but is worth walking there for the rare encounters you might have with wild birds, and the plants you might see. Nature is waking up from the cold winter and Equisetum and Willows were in bloom.
The beach was as beautiful as ever, with a high sand dune recently carved by the massive rain we have had in the Bay Area.
Thanks J. for suggesting this trail, I had a lovely time.