Marin County waterfalls roar to life after recent rains

Copious winter rain in Marin County is bringing abundant waterfalls to the county’s scenic destinations.

“One of my favorites has always been Dawn Falls,” Marin County Parks chief ranger Ian McLorg said. “I think it’s one of the more spectacular just in terms of the height and then also accessibility.”

Located in the Baltimore Canyon Preserve, Dawn Falls is down an approximately three-quarter-mile trail. To get to the trail, McLorg suggests entering on Crown Road in Kentfield and hiking the Southern Marin Line Fire Road.

McLorg said there are some redwood trees along the trail, and some “cool rock features and formations,” too. There’s a lot of switchbacks, and the trail grade isn’t anything “too challenging” for most.

Sandy Guldman, president of the Friends of Corte Madera Creek Watershed, also recommended Dawn Falls, as well as Cascade Falls in the Cascade Canyon Preserve.

“Both should be flowing nicely,” Guldman said. “It is always a treat to see them.”

A lesser known but still magnificent waterfall, in McLorg’s opinion, is the Ken Harth waterfalls in the Indian Valley Preserve. The trail is at the end of Ignacio Boulevard. He said if someone wants a longer adventure, they can make a big loop by taking the Pacheco Pond trail and connecting with the Ken Harth waterfall trail.

“There’s several crossings along the way that you can interact with water features,” McLorg said. “There’s some really nice loops that go through there and if you want to go for a longer hike and spend more of the day up there.”

Another waterfall in the Ignacio Valley Preserve is Buck Gulch Falls. The trailhead, located at the end of Fairway Drive in Novato, is less than a mile to the waterfall.

Within the Mount Tamalpais watershed are two main waterfalls — Cataract and Carson falls.

“Because of the recent heavy rains, both falls are on full display,” Marin Municipal Water District spokesperson Adriane Mertens said.

The 1.5-mile hike to Cataract Falls begins at the Laurel Dell Trailhead on Ridgecrest Boulevard, however there are several possible paths to the waterfall including a loop trail. The hike to Carson Falls is 3.9 miles beginning at the Azalea Hill Trail parking lot on Bolinas-Fairfax Road.

Mertens said parking lots at the trailheads fill up fast. Parking in unauthorized areas causes unsafe conditions. If parking is scarce, visitors should check out other parts of the watershed, she said.

With everything so wet right now, both Mertens and McLorg emphasized safety. The trails to both falls have steep and rocky terrain that can be loose and slippery when wet. Mertens said walking poles can be helpful. Hikers shouldn’t visit during winter storms.

McLorg said to bring drinking water — dehydration can happen in any climate — and wear layers as weather conditions can vary at higher elevations. Mertens said to bring a map or have a mobile app to help navigate, and a phone in case of injury.

Mertens noted that at Carson Falls, it is essential for visitors to read and follow the protection measures in place for the endangered foothill yellow-legged frog that breeds in the water pools. Hikers and dogs are not allowed in any of the watershed’s reservoirs or streams. McLorg emphasized staying on the trail — and enjoying the waterfall from a distance — to protect yourself and the environment.

“One thing I do recommend to folks is just making sure you wear sturdy shoes with good traction this time of year, especially with how saturated everything is,” McLorg said. “That’s just something to be mindful of for hiking around and checking out waterfalls.”

More information about recreation in the Mount Tamalpais watershed is online at marinwater.org/visiting-mt-tam. County parks information is available at parks.marincounty.org/parkspreserves.