Dawn Falls

California’s Marin County has a little heaven tucked inside in the form of Marin County Open Space District. The Baltimore Canyon, which is part of the MCOSD, has a platter full of trailheads, creeks and falls, all of which are sprinkled with orange maple leaves and wildflowers creating an unimaginable mystic aura especially in winters. The near-by mountainous range of King Mountain, Blithedale Summit, and Mount Tamalpais extends the beauty of the Canyon and offer some of the most excruciating yet visually stunning hikes and viewpoints. One of those hikes is to Dawn Falls which 2.2 mile out and back hike starting from the edge of a residential Larkspur neighbourhood. The hike includes a steep downhill stretch which meets the Larkspur Creek at a juncture surrounded with native redwood groves, tanoak, maples and Pacific madrones.

 Among the various trailheads, some entertain only hikers while some are open for bikers and horse riders. No parking or entrance fees is required but all the vehicles must be parked on the allotted roadside spaces and dogs must be kept on leashes. Surviving inside thick woods, the immediate hiking area does not provide any camping sites, restrooms or drinking water. However, grocery stores, restaurants, pay phones and gas refill outlets can be found in downtown Larkspur.