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UncategorizedHiking the Cataract Falls Loop Trail

Hiking the Cataract Falls Loop Trail

Rushing cascades, Hobbit-like landscapes, and chill outdoor adventure in Marin

Hiking the Cataract Falls Loop Trail
Along the Cataract Loop Trail near Bolinas. Photo by David Schnur

By Marke B.

JANUARY 3, 2015 – We need a lot more rain, but the storms we’ve had so far in Northern California have already led to a spectacular waterfall season. The Bay has several beloved (and somewhat secret) waterfall-centric day hikes I’ll be sharing as the season comes along. But on Saturday our hike-questing, get-out-of-Dodge eyes were caught by one in particular: the Cataract Trail, about halfway between Fairfax and Bolinas off the very windy Bolinas Road in Marin. (The trailhead comes almost right after you cross the very cool Alpine dam.) Cataracts in this sense are steep, small, stepped waterfalls — idyllic, rock-strewn rushing cascades — no, not the congenital blinding kind.  (But speaking of which, step away from your computer sometimes!)

Hiking the Cataract Falls Loop Trail. Photo by David Schnur
Along the Cataract Loop Trail near Bolinas. Photo by David Schnur

The Cataract Trail itself is about 2.9 miles, and can get pretty crowded with oglers. (You may want want to find time to visit on a weekday if you’re looking for alone time — I don’t know if this hike is on “It’s Just Lunch” or what, but there was a multitude of cute-awkward straight couples there yesterday, goddess bless ’em.) So we decided to get a little more solitude and exercise by doing the longer 6-hour, 7.5-mile, moderate-difficulty loop that also encompasses High Marsh Trail, Kent Trail, and Helen Markt Trail. On a 56-degree, sunny January day, it was the right decision.

Hiking the Cataract Falls Loop Trail. Photo by David Schnur
Along the Cataract Loop Trail near Bolinas. Photo by David Schnur

There’s so much opportunity for hiking in this area, that you can hike up to 11 miles, but remember to be prepared during the shorter daylight months to hustle a bit. And no matter what, don’t forget to pick up some fortifying sammies at Perry’s Delicatessen #3 in Fairfax along the way.

Hiking the Cataract Falls Loop Trail
This is the long, 11-mile version of the Cataract Loop Trail via Meetup, which explains all the cute Stanford students we ran into. But you can cut across Kent Trail for the version we did, which took 5-6 hours in total, including picnic stop.

Along the way, you’ll first pass a breathtaking array of cataracts as the swollen Cataract Creek burst through the hillside — very Hobbitland, and the required soundtrack in your head is a bit of Cocteau Twins.

Hiking the Cataract Falls Loop Trail. Photo by David Schnur
Along the Cataract Loop Trail near Bolinas. Photo by David Schnur

After the (slippery) climb up the hill to the cataracts’ source, you’ll break into a bald green wonderland of Alpine meadow. Everyone eats over in Laurel Dell, but walk a bit up High Marsh Trail into the sunshine and look for Bald Knoll, where you can sit on the grass with a great view and tuck in.

Hiking the Cataract Falls Loop Trail. Photo by David Schnur
Along the Cataract Trail near Bolinas. Photo by David Schnur

Then it’s all peaceful adventure as you pass through bright ochre madrone groves, towering redwood stands, alien moss formations, radioactive-green stagnant ponds, and the rippling azure splendor of manmade Alpine Lake, a huge reservoir.

Hiking the Cataract Falls Loop Trail. Photo by David Schnur
Along the Cataract Loop Trail near Bolinas. Photo by David Schnur

The loop path is pretty even until you start crossing several ravines near the end, which will give your upper thighs quite a workout. (Bring a pole, things get a bit muddy and slippery on the downslopes.)

Hiking the Cataract Falls Loop Trail. Photo by David Schnur
Alpine Lake. Photo by David Schnur

Of course, after six hours of breathtaking, and breath-catching, hiking, you certainly get to treat yourself to huge meal. (Say, Sardinian pasta at La Ciccia? Guilty.)

Hiking the Cataract Falls Loop Trail. Photo by David Schnur
Alien sap-moss formation along the Cataract Loop Trail. Photo by David Schnur

The only wee bummer about the whole thing is that you’ll have to get your hands on a car to get there, as public transit is nil. So bring a bunch of woodsy-minded friends (one with wheels) along.

48 Hills welcomes comments in the form of letters to the editor, which you can submit here. We also invite you to join the conversation on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

Marke B.
Marke Bieschke is the publisher and arts and culture editor of 48 Hills. He co-owns the Stud bar in SoMa. Reach him at marke (at) 48hills.org, follow @supermarke on Twitter.

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