Coastal Trail from Rock Springs
The California coastline can be a foggy place. Fog is great for keeping things cool, but when your trail is perched high above the ocean, you long for clear skies to take in the views up and down the coast and ocean. One of our favorite walks when the coastal skies are clear is Coastal Trail, far above the Pacific. Coastal Trail runs for miles, but the section of Coastal Trail that we prefer is between Pantoll and Willow Camp Trail. Hiking this sections allows us to make a nice loop using Cataract Trail and Old Mine or Easy Grade trails.
When we started out on Coastal Trail this week, the fog was heavy and thick below us. The trail was full of sunshine, and the hiking was cool. Once in awhile the fog would surge up to cover us briefly, and then it would retreat, playing a game of hide-and-seek with the ridge lines. The trail runs about 1500' above the ocean and is fairly level. It contours along the hillside through mixed forest and open grassland.
We prefer to do the loop hike by starting inland. From Pantoll parking area we went up Old Mine Trail, which is a bit steep. Another option is to take Easy Grade Trail to Mountain Theater, which adds a interesting destination to the loop. We took Cataract Trail from Rock Springs parking area to the bridge heading over to Laurel Dell Fire Road. If it is windy on the coast, you can continue an extra quarter mile to the Laurel Dell picnic area for some protection from the wind. One of our favorite moments of the hike is when we crest the ridge from Laurel Dell and look out to sea. It is such a dramatic and sudden change from the sheltered forest to the wind-swept grasslands and sweeping views of the hillside falling away to the Pacific Ocean.
The trail leading down to Coastal Trail is just across the Panoramic Highway. Once you hit Coastal Trail, a left (south) on Coastal Trail will allow you to complete the loop. The two miles along Coastal Trail are loaded with fantastic views of the Ocean and ridges to the south. There are numerous beautiful spots to sit and take in the view, or have a picnic. Thermal air currents rise up along the bluffs and are often used by Turkey Vultures and hawks for soaring. Seeing these birds from above is one of the rare treats of this hike. If it is a clear day, you should be able to see the Farallon Islands, 27 miles out to sea. Coastal Trail winds its way back to Pantoll.
There is water available at the Pantoll parking area, but none along the route. Coastal Trail is very exposed, so bring plenty of sunscreen and a hat. Also, Coastal Trail is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) and does not allow dogs.
Directions and details can be found in the book Hiking Marin: 141 Great Hikes in Marin County
When we started out on Coastal Trail this week, the fog was heavy and thick below us. The trail was full of sunshine, and the hiking was cool. Once in awhile the fog would surge up to cover us briefly, and then it would retreat, playing a game of hide-and-seek with the ridge lines. The trail runs about 1500' above the ocean and is fairly level. It contours along the hillside through mixed forest and open grassland.
We prefer to do the loop hike by starting inland. From Pantoll parking area we went up Old Mine Trail, which is a bit steep. Another option is to take Easy Grade Trail to Mountain Theater, which adds a interesting destination to the loop. We took Cataract Trail from Rock Springs parking area to the bridge heading over to Laurel Dell Fire Road. If it is windy on the coast, you can continue an extra quarter mile to the Laurel Dell picnic area for some protection from the wind. One of our favorite moments of the hike is when we crest the ridge from Laurel Dell and look out to sea. It is such a dramatic and sudden change from the sheltered forest to the wind-swept grasslands and sweeping views of the hillside falling away to the Pacific Ocean.
The trail leading down to Coastal Trail is just across the Panoramic Highway. Once you hit Coastal Trail, a left (south) on Coastal Trail will allow you to complete the loop. The two miles along Coastal Trail are loaded with fantastic views of the Ocean and ridges to the south. There are numerous beautiful spots to sit and take in the view, or have a picnic. Thermal air currents rise up along the bluffs and are often used by Turkey Vultures and hawks for soaring. Seeing these birds from above is one of the rare treats of this hike. If it is a clear day, you should be able to see the Farallon Islands, 27 miles out to sea. Coastal Trail winds its way back to Pantoll.
There is water available at the Pantoll parking area, but none along the route. Coastal Trail is very exposed, so bring plenty of sunscreen and a hat. Also, Coastal Trail is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) and does not allow dogs.
Directions and details can be found in the book Hiking Marin: 141 Great Hikes in Marin County
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