Cataract Trail Loop in Marin County

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Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 7.7 miles / 12.4 km
Duration: Half day

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Overview: Cataract Creek Trail offers a perfect excuse to play hooky from work or spend a vacation day in the woods. The creek's waterfalls provide a spectacular anchor for a 7-mile loop through the scenic lands of the Mount Tamalpais Watershed. You could just hike a mile and a quarter to the top of the Cataract Creek Trail and return, but I figure if you're going to drive this deep into the Marin County backcountry, you may as well get a few hours of hiking in. The loop includes scenic vistas stretching to the Pacific Ocean, narrow single-track into the wooded hillsides into forests of young redwood and Douglas fir. Marin County has over 500 miles of trails; these are among the best.

Tips: Use extreme caution near the waterfalls: slips could be deadly.

Footing is tricky along the Cataract Trail, which is short but steep. Beginners can tire easily.

Parking is very limited; best to go on a weekday.

Poison oak is common along narrow sections of trail.

What to bring:
A map (download a PDF here)
Layers -- the climb will warm you up, but much of the hike is on even terrain so you'll cool back down.
Water and snacks -- you'll need the energy and hydration.
A camera and tripod if you're into photography.

Driving Directions:
From Highway 101 in Marin County, take the Sir Francis Drake Boulevard West exit and turn west. Stay on Sir Francis Drake for about five miles till you reach the town of Fairfax. Turn left in the turn lane just past the Valero gas station, then take an immediate right turn onto Broadway. Go about a block and turn left on Bolinas Road. Stay on Bolinas Road for about eight miles; you'll cross a dam and a find a small parking area at a sharp hairpin turn. The trail starts here.

Points of Interest

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Cataract Creek

Cataract Creek Trail starts out tracking Alpine Lake but starts climbing quickly. You'll hear the first waterfall long before you see it, but once you do, prepare to be awed.

The climb is pretty steep for the first half-mile. Soon you'll see a junction with the Helen Markt Trail -- don't turn yet, this will be the return link on your loop.

Keep climbing and enjoying the cascading water and wildflowers (in springtime) along the way. At 1.4 miles you'll come to a junction with the High Marsh Trail. You could shave a mile off this hike by turning left here, but I prefer to hike about another half-mile to the Laurel Dell picnic area, where I rest up from the climb and get back on the trail.

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High Marsh Trail

If you stop at Laurel Dell, retrace your steps back to the High Marsh Trail junction and turn right. High Marsh is a delightful single-track through open hillsides and thick forest. It tracks along a hillside so there's not too much up and down.

High Marsh Trail goes 2.1 miles to the intersection with Kent Trail. Turn left there and start heading down the hillside. This is a steep downgrade, so take your time and watch your footing.

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Kent Trail to Helen Markt Trail

Kent Trail continues for a mile and a half down to the shore of Alpine Lake, where you turn left on the Helen Markt Trail. You might want to rest near the lake before you take on Helen Markt: it climbs about 600 feet as it traverses multiple gullies.

Helen Markt Trail goes for 1.7 miles, where you return to Cataract Trail, turn right and return to the trailhead -- and enjoy a few more waterfall views before you're done.