Attractions and Places To See in Blithedale Summit Open Space Preserve - Top 5

For a pleasant redwood forest experience, the Dawn Falls Trail is highly recommended, especially as it climbs gently along Larkspur Creek to small falls. Another option is the Piedmont Trail, which also follows Larkspur Creek and connects towards Dawn Falls Trail into Baltimore Canyon Open Space Preserve. The Hoo-Koo-E-Koo Trail is another hiking-only option that descends through redwood and California bay forests.

The Blithedale Ridge Fire Rd offers excellent eastward views toward San Pedro Mountain, San Quentin, and the San Francisco Bay. Higher elevations within the preserve also provide spectacular vistas of the Marin Headlands and San Francisco Bay, stretching to Mount Tamalpais's East Peak, and on clear days, the Pacific Ocean to the west.

Yes, the preserve has historical significance. The Old Railroad Grade was once part of the Mill Valley and Mount Tamalpais Scenic Railway Company. While no rail segments remain, the cement transfer platform from the Double Bowknot Junction, where passengers could switch trains to descend to Muir Woods, still exists. The preserve is also near the site of the historic Blithedale Hotel, which opened in 1879.

The preserve is home to various wildlife, including red-tailed hawks, woodpeckers, black-tailed deer, foxes, and raccoons. It also provides nesting grounds for pileated woodpeckers and the endangered northern spotted owl. During spring, you might hear melodic wrens singing in the canyons.

Blithedale Summit Open Space Preserve showcases diverse ecosystems, including deep forests, dense chaparral, and redwood groves. You can observe a wide array of plant life, such as Douglas fir, California bay, manzanita, and various ferns. After winter rains, seasonal streams flow, creating small waterfalls along trails like the Hoo-Koo-E-Koo Trail.

For wildflowers, spring brings vibrant displays, including California poppies, purple lupines, and blue-eyed grass, typically peaking from late March to early May. Seasonal highlights also include pink flowers on chaparral pea shrubs in late spring and manzanita blossoms starting in late December. In mid-winter, milkmaids, hound's tongue, and Fremont's star lily bloom. Seasonal waterfalls are best observed after winter rains.

Yes, the Dawn Falls Trail is known for its gentle climb and pleasant redwood forest setting, making it suitable for families. The Old Railroad Grade also offers a gentle, easy ascent, making it accessible for many. For more options, you can explore waterfall hikes in Blithedale Summit Open Space Preserve, which include easy routes.

Yes, the preserve offers opportunities for cycling. The Blithedale Ridge Fire Rd is a multi-use fire road popular with cyclists. The Old Railroad Grade is also frequently used by cyclists for an out-and-back journey. You can find more cycling options in the cycling guide for Blithedale Summit Open Space Preserve.

Yes, the preserve is well-connected to other Marin County open spaces, including Baltimore Canyon, King Mountain, Camino Alto, and Mount Tamalpais State Park. These connections allow for extended hiking and biking adventures. The Bay Area Ridge Trail, a 550-mile loop, also runs through the preserve.

The preserve features a diverse landscape. Trails range from gentle ascents like the Old Railroad Grade to more challenging routes like the Blithedale Ridge Fire Rd, which has roller coaster uphills and downhills. You'll encounter deep forests, dense chaparral, and redwood groves, with some trails being hiking-only and others multi-use.

While the guide data doesn't specify dog-friendly trails, many open spaces in Marin County allow dogs on leash. It's always best to check local signage or the official Marin County Parks website for the most current regulations regarding dogs in the preserve.

The Southern Marin Line Rd Trail is a wide forest road that follows the gradual former railroad grade. It passes through pleasant redwood groves, connecting from the Crown Road/Hoo-Koo-E-Koo Trailhead in Baltimore Canyon Open Space Preserve to Christmas Tree Hill in Blithedale Summit OSP.