Hit the trail today for the first time in six weeks. Without a doubt, since moving to the Bay Area I have become a trail guy; I simply can't articulate how at peace I am on the trails. The amazing thing about Marin is that you can run seven days a week for a lifetime and still not touch all the trails.
Anyway, in celebration of my first trail run since March (six miles, I;m pleased to say. Though I don't quite have my climbing legs, I'm definitely making progress) I snapped some photos for your viewing pleasure.
Note this is probably my favorite run; climb from my house up and over to the legendary Miwok trail, up to Coyote Ridge, which in my humble opinion offers the most amazing view in the North Bay; a 360 wrap around with clear shots into the Pacific Ocean, Mount Tam, Muir Beach, Bolinas, the City of SF, and across the Bay into Oakland. It's a panoramic view liked you've never seen.
The first photo was taken on the climb up to to the Miwok trail. You can see the Bay, Tiburon and in yonder distance, Oakland. This photo appears to be too small, but in yonder, yonder distance, you can make out the top of Mount Shasta. You know it's a beautiful day when you can catch Shasta from Marin.
Picture two: welcome to the Wiwok. Payro, if you are reading this, next year we are definitely running the Wiwok 100k (62 miles for all you keeping score at home!), one of the all-time classic ultras. The third picture gives you a good sense of the Miwok; it's a deceptively long climb, featuring multiple switchbacks. Nice and steady is definitely the best pace for a trail run.
The fourth picture captures the splendor of Mount Tam from the top of Coyote Ridge. It's one of the few vantage points where you can catch nearly the whole Mountain. Tam is just incredible; it's not a high altitude mountain by any means, but she has very broad shoulders and is quite expansive on the back side. Virtually anywhere you are in Marin, you are sure to be able to to capture a unique view of the Mountain, which, by the way, is the birthplace of mountain biking.
The next pictures is a great view into Muir Beach, which is one of the Solomon's favorite places to spend a lazy weekend afternoon. The kids love scrambling up the rock faces and climbing up the Coastal trail.
Next picture is of yours truly, looking kind of gnarly on the top of Wolf Ridge. It was hot today, probably around 75 (and to top it off I have a nasty cold), though there was a great breeze on the trail. The next picture captures Bolinas Point. I don't even know exactly how to describe Bolinas. It's a sleepy surfer/fishing town that has a real 60's, artist community vibe to it. It is also very difficult to find as the locals are so parochial they are known to take down directional signs to town. It's a tad off the beating path but well worth the trip.
Another picture from the top of Coyote Ridge. If you look carefully in the middle of the picture you can barely make out the top of the Golden Gate Bridge. And last, but not least, a view into Ocean Beach in SF, considered one of Northern California's best surfing points.
Anyway, there you have it, a brief pictorial of Marin County, CA. Hope y'all get a chance to come out and experience it for yourself - it really is a spectacular place.
(Note: I'm not sure what happened, but when the photos downloaded, the order got screwed up. Anway, I'm sure you can figure out which photo is which! I'll figure out Blogger yet!)
