I've long wondered what's down the hill to the east from Bolinas Ridge in Marin County. Bolinas Ridge is the first north-south ridge to the east of the town of Bolinas and the Pacific Ocean. The valley to the east of Bolinas Ridge was flooded in the 1950s to create Kent Lake, part of the Marin County municipal water supply. A large stretch of the hillside between Bolinas Ridge and Kent Lake -- from Bolinas-Fairfax road in the south, to Shafter Grade in the north - is entirely absent of trails. My curiosity was piqued.
Between Christmas and New Years of 2020, I set off with Lucas to explore the area.
Parking at the top of Bolinas-Fairfax Road, we walked along Bolinas Ridge before following a water course to Kent Lake. Once at lake-level, we followed the lake shore to the south where it hits Lagunitas Creek, which we followed until it hits Alpine Dam. Upon nearing the dam, we headed uphill, eventually intersecting with Bolinas-Fairfax road, which we followed back to our car.
The day was exhilarating and exhausting - it's rare that I have the opportunity to play in mother nature's jungle gym like we had bushwhacking to Kent Lake.
