Samuel P. Taylor State Park Hike (11/15) Preview

This week we'll head toward West Marin and stop at Samuel P. Taylor State Park. We'll hike up towards, but not all the way to the summit, of Mount Barnabe. Here's Wendy's description of the hike: "This may be only mountain named for a mule! We’re not going all the way to the lookout on the top, so we’ll keep within our 1000’ elevation gain limit. (Mount Barnabe is 1446’; click here for photos taken from the fire lookout). The way up is longer and more gradual (about 5% grade), but you’ll want your hiking poles for the shorter fire road down. We’ll stop by the Samuel and Sarah Taylor’s grave site."

Directions: Take Sir Francis Drake Boulevard past the main park entrance. As you head west, watch for the sign for Devil’s Gulch on your right and the dirt parking area on your left.

Time: 40 minutes from College of Marin. No restrooms at trailhead. (Use ones at main park entrance as you pass by.) Carpoolers can meet at St. Rita's Church in Fairfax at 9:15 am.

Weather Forecast: As of Wednesday afternoon, November 9th, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was mostly sunny, with a high near 57. (Click here for an updated forecast).

More On This Hike: Hike "D11 Devil's Gulch to Mt. Barnabe" in the Martins' book, Hiking Marin, shows the trails we'll follow, although we'll skip the sidetrip to the summit.  You can find the trails on the park brochure available in PDF format from the park's Website.