Near: Lucas Valley
Trip Type: Hike
Distance: 7 miles
Elevation: 600 - 1,900 feet
Vegetation: Pasture
Last Trip: October 2016
Big Rock Ridge is one of the higher ridges north of Mt. Tam in the Marin county open space. This very exposed hike is mostly nothing special, and communications towers at the summit mar the climax a bit, but the views south to Mt. Tam and San Fransisco, as well as east over the San Fransisco Bay are worth the climb if you've already seen the more unique trails and vistas on Mt. Tam and around the Marin Headlands. The climb is very steady and well graded, so this would be an excellent option for a trail run. Mountain bikes are common too, but all dogs must be on a leash, so that would make a ride plus dog a bit awkward.
Trailhead
The big rock on Lucas Valley Road, at the high point between Hwy 101 and Nicasio.
Rules and Permits
Leashes are required on this trail. Also near there are sections of easment on private land with pretty grumpy signs asking you not to camp (totally reasonable) or picnic (totally F-ing unreasonable).Route
Caltopo Map: http://caltopo.com/m/FS13
Head under the pedestrian tunnel from roadside parking, and up the only trail leading north up to the ridge. (Note you could also take the fire road south from this parking area to a slightly lower ridge and head up to Loma Alta (slightly lower ridge) to meet up with our route from another post. At the ridge you meet a dirt road you can take all the way down the long ridge to the east. There are several roads and trails branching off this ridge, and were there a trail up the base of the valley, you could make a nice loop. Sadly there's just a busy road with limited shoulders. So we just popped up to the ridge just past the towers to enjoy the view and a granola bar. I'm not sure if that legally constitutes a picnic, but maybe we're outlaws now.
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