Holiday Help

According to a fairly impressive Web site, (www.marintrails.com) Marin County has the finest urban park systems in the world with over 600 miles of wonderful trails. While this statement might seem a bit overblown by about one hundred miles since a mere 500 miles of trails are claimed elsewhere in the site, it really doesnt matter. Clearly, Marin County is a paradise for hikers.

Hiking experts, Don and Kay Martin collected information about the specifics and routes of 141 separate hikes within Marin County for a book entitled, Hiking Marin, 141 Great Hikes in Marin County. The book provides detailed 3D maps for each hike and directions to each trailhead.

One cannot argue that Marin County is a hikers paradise since it features amazing outdoor parks and open spaces, including 3 national parks, 6 state parks, 24 county open space lands and 7 other parks and open space areas. An amazing 42% of these lands are open to the public, leaving more hiking than most of us could possibly hike in a lifetime.

The most important consideration before choosing a specific hiking trail, according to experts, is the weather. Bad weather with fog, drizzle and only 100 feet of visibility can all conspire to turn a great hike into a dismal one. Other important considerations include the distance of the hike, the elevations to be experienced during the hike, the trails level of difficulty, and the availability of shade along the way.

December and January arent the best hiking weather, but between the raindrops that fall during those winter months, one can hike along the ocean and see whales and elephant seals. Late winter months of February and March, while extremely wet, are the best months to hike. This is when various spring flowers begin to bloom for those not bothered by allergies.

The spring months of April and May, naturally, as the weather gets better and everything is green and flowery provide times for great hiking. As heat and dryness descend during the summer months of June and July, there are still cool and foggy areas begging to be hiked: Muir Woods, Steep Ravine and the Marin Headlands are three of them.

The best places to hike during the hotter and drier months of August and September are on the coast and the beach areas, as well as north-facing trails. The early morning is the best time to hike when the sun hasnt started to burn through the fog. Because of fire hazards, it is best to avoid Mt. Tamalpais and the hills and ridges of central and north Marin.

The coast, south-facing trails and woodlands in central Marin and around the lakes are ideal for hiking in October and November when it can be gusty with occasional rain, yet many sunny days.

Good hiking boots, water, or other fluids, a first aid kit, a light jacket, extra food and a poncho in winter and sunscreen in the summer are just some of the items that it is essential to take along on a hike. Others include a knife, a hat, book or map, flashlight, binoculars, a compass and a whistle, (to which the writer adds a cellphone with the caveat that it may or may not work in many areas west of San Rafael). Any or all of these things may be extremely handy in case you get lost or turn your ankle.