@outdoorwiseliving: A must do Bay Area gem of a hike! SHARE with someone who would be willing to conquer this spectacular 6.3 mile trail with over 1500 ft of elevation gain! And yes - I counted every single wooden bridge and stair you have to climb (note: some of the stairs were carved rock or tree roots in place of a stair, so you’re count may vary by +/- 10). I can’t wait to come back in the spring when the waterfalls are really flowing but you can see in this reel they are still worthy of an adventure. Here are the trail details you need to know: - Hiking trail: Cataract Falls via Rock Spring (Mount Tamalpais) - Trail prep: bring your best hiking shoes and lots of water. This trail is highly shaded but the stairs are going to give you a workout - Trail highlights. The early part of the trail meanders through a wooded forest before you get to Laurel Dell picnic area. Prep for the decent! Cataract trail quickly follows and you’ll be greeted by multiple waterfalls on your left and as the trail crosses multiple pretty wooden bridges, some will be on your right. I actually recommend stopping at them on the way back since you’ll deserve chances to catch your breath (it’s 697 stairs on the way there; x2 on the way back). The turnaround point is Alpine lake. When I visited last week, there wasn’t a single person nearby - it was picturesque and serene! - Trail prep: while highly shaded, you’ll need a lot of water/snacks for this one. Watchout for wildlife: I was greeted by a rattlesnake right in the middle of the trail on my return. There are multiple ways to access Cataract Falls, but based on our research, this is the most highly rated. Would you do this one? Let us know in the comments! **** We’re two parents on a mission to inspire people to spend more time outside. We love sharing great Bay Area & beyond places to explore - follow @outdoorwiseliving #bayarea #sfbay #sfbayareamoms #sfbayarea #bayareahikes #bayareahiking #bayareahikers #california #californiahiking #californiahikes #hiddengem #hiddengems #hikingtrails #hikingtrails #californiaadventure #californiaadventures #Hiking #hikingculture #hiker #hikers #bucketlist #bucketlistadventures #visitcalifornia #californialove #bayarealove #getOWLside

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Saturday 23 September 2023 13:16:36 GMT