Best Hike in the Bay Area

I am always looking for new hikes in the bay area that are dog friendly.  Yesterday, I went on the best hike to date in the bay, and it was all within an hours drive of San Francisco!  The hike followed the Cataract Trail in Mount Tamalpais State Park.  The hike was really a fantastic find because dogs are usually not allowed to hike in California State Parks!

Cal and I started our hike around 11 am.  There were only three cars when we pulled into the parking lot, and not a person in site!  We meandered through the woods for awhile where there were towering Douglas Firs. 

 We did not run into many people on the hike. At one point, I was in the middle of the dense forest, and I saw a clearing at the top of a hill.  I immediately sprinted up the hill with Cal by my side, and I was rewarded with sweeping views of the surrounding hillsides.

Eventually, California Bear and I we looped back to the Cataract Trail which took us down a ravine following Cataract creek. The temperature in the ravine was at least ten degrees cooler, and with enough imagination it felt like we were in the luscious forests of Hawaii.  Within minutes of descending into the ravine, a waterfall comes into view.  Every few minutes there was a waterfall with emerald blue pools.  After a mile, we made it to Cataract Falls.

With no people in sight, I utilized the opportunity to mediate for a few minutes.  The sounds of the waterfalls ( and Cal restlessly walking about) were soothing and tranquil.  Plus, I had the best view when I opened my eyes and came back to reality…

After a quick mediation and snack break, I followed the trail 0.5 mils down the ravine past more waterfalls to Alpine Lake.  Walking down was precarious, but the first glimpse of the lake coming into view made the whole trek worth it.  The trail followed alongside the lake for a bit further, but I quickly turned around to head back up the hill (the best part!).  Although it was demanding, I had Cal pulling me and views of waterfalls helping me through the 1.5 mile climb back up the ravine.  

Even though the walk up from the lake was entirely uphill it was complete worth it. After we finally made it back to the car, I pulled off to head home only to be rewarded again with the most incredible view of San Francisco and Oakland.

If you look really closely you can see the skyscrapers of San Francisco poking out over the mountains.  The view from the top of the mountain is incredible, and the hike is one of my favorites in the bay area and a true gem for dog lovers.  Cal had a blast, and I think it was one of his favorite hikes too! We will definitely be heading back here for a hike soon!