Name: Baltimore Canyon Preserve, Crown Road Trailhead, 7 miles, dogs on/off leash
Start: 2024-11-29T09:00:00-08:00
End: 2024-11-29T12:00:00-08:00

Let's take advantage of the holiday before a weekend when we'll face less bridge traffic and take a hike at Dawn Falls in the Baltimore Canyon Preserve. Baltimore Canyon is the northernmost of four connected open spaces, with Kings Mountain Preserve, Blithedale Summit Preserve, and Camino Alto, and includes the seasonal 30-foot cascade of Dawn Falls. With the recent rain, the falls should be spectacular.

Our route is a combination of fire roads and trails, deep forest and open space, filled with bays, Douglas firs, madrones, and new-growth redwoods. Should the trails prove too muddy or slippery, we'll amend our route.

According to my weather app at the time of posting, rain is expected some time this day, exactly when isn't specified, so there is some risk of rain. I might cancel the hike, should there be more than a temporary drizzle.

***Please carpool whenever you can.***

After the hike, some of us will be looking for lunch in Kentfield, and all who wish to go are welcome to join. The Half Day Cafe at 848 College Ave has outdoor seating and vegan dishes.

We will leave promptly at the start time and should be finished no later than noon, if not sooner. If you run into trouble the morning of the hike, you can try to reach me at 510-292-6254, but many staging areas have poor cell service, and I am likely to be unreachable 30 minutes prior to the hike.

Please update your RSVP if your attendance plans change, and try to avoid last-minute changes whenever possible.

HIKE RATING: Moderate, 7 miles, 1160 ft elevation

HIKING PACE: 2.5 mph. If you don’t have recent experience accomplishing a hike of this distance and difficulty and at this pace, please consider joining us another time. It is recommended that you obtain a map at the beginning of the hike in case the group is separated.

WHAT TO BRING: Sturdy hiking shoes, plenty of water and snacks for you and your pooch, if you bring one, and hiking poles, if you use them.

ROUTE: fire road from Crown Road Trailhead, R on Dawn Falls Trail, L on Hoo-Koo-E-Koo Trail, L on Blithedale Ridge Fire Road, sharp L on Southern Marin Line Fire Road, L on Dawn Falls Trail, R on Ladybug Trail, L on King Mountain Loop Trail, R on Ladybug Trail, R on Dawn Falls Trail, R on fire road

See link below for map of the area:
https://www.parks.marincounty.org/-/media/files/sites/marin-county-parks/parks-and-preserves/maps/map_blithedalebaltimorekingcamino_121322.pdf

DOGS ALLOWED? YES Off-leash on fire roads, and on-leash on trails (If you’re planning to allow your dog off-leash, the dog must have excellent recall and not get in the way of other hikers. Dogs must always be on-leash in Staging Areas and if cattle are present)

GRAZING ANIMALS: None

BATHROOMS: none, only the faciliTREES

DRIVING DIRECTIONS:
The address of the staging area is 415 Crown Rd, Kentfield.

The below is the best map to the street where you'll park, and to the trailhead (**DO NOT USE** the link in the box to the right):
[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Crown+Road+Fire+Road+trailhead/@37.9350624,-122.5686252,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x808590c080df8b91:0x5ffb68a8d55581b3!8m2!3d37.9405032!4d-122.5601709](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Crown+Road+Fire+Road+trailhead/@37.9350624,-122.5686252,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x808590c080df8b91:0x5ffb68a8d55581b3!8m2!3d37.9405032!4d-122.5601709)

Please use the Google Maps link above to familiarize yourself with the trip. It is good practice to confirm the night before that any app you use takes you to where you expect. Print out the driving directions if you are unfamiliar with the area. Many parks are in areas with poor cell service, so DO NOT rely completely on your smartphone's GPS. Most street addresses provided are approximate.

WAIT LIST PRIORITY: Those who have hiked with East Bay Ramblers regularly will be given priority when they are on the wait list.

NO SHOWS: If you sign up for an event but do not show up, you may be removed from subsequent events in favor of someone on the waitlist. Repeated last-minute RSVP changes to “no” are as good as no-shows.

EARLY DEPARTURE: If you decide to leave a hike early, you must inform the group leader.

We look forward to seeing you on the trail!

East Bay Ramblers

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I HAVE READ AND AGREE TO THE EAST BAY RAMBLERS DISCLAIMER. I AM FULLY VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19.

Baltimore Canyon Preserve, Crown Road Trailhead, 7 miles, dogs on/off leash

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Baltimore Canyon Preserve, Crown Road Trailhead, 7 miles, dogs on/off leash

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