Two Gloomy Hikes in Early Spring of 2005 - Carson Falls, and SF Costal Trail

Early Spring of SF Bay Area is usually unpredictable. It is either glorious summer like sunshine, or miserable fog and storm. The days of these two hikes happened to fall into the latter category. I'm not complaining of the cold and gloom. They are different. The hikes are enjoyable actually. :)

Carson Falls, Marin Water District, Feb. 2005
We were considering this trail for a hike in Janurary. But the warning of undermarked trail intimidated us. We were easily lost even with "well-marked" trails. But on this Feburary day, we felt more daring than usual. It was a strange landscape. Baren and windy. Black volcanic rocks everywhere. It reminded me of a hike i did on the high plains of Ecuador. Desolate. Iron-gray sky and thick stormy clouds enhanced the atmosphere. These photos didn't do justice to the view. Pity. We got lost again, obviously. On the wind-swept ridge, we asked another group of hikers for directions. They took one look at our expensive camera bag and city-slicker outfit and concluded that we weren't fit to go where we wanted to go. Nice enough, they told us of two routes to get to the waterfalls, and recommanded an easier route rather than a prettier route, considering it is getting late. To show our defiance, we followed our heart and went for the so-called more difficult route. It was a wise choice. The route winded its way through lovely aspen groves, and followed by happy streams cluttered with lush ferns. We took the easy route back, and forever thankful that we took the pretty route into the falls... Dinner was in Pizza 211. Back to Civilization, yum!
SF Coastal Trail (partial), March 2005
Gui told us about this lovely hike right by Legion of Honor. Sandwiched between lovely summer-like days, we happened to go on a one and only gloomy day in March. Gloomy foggy day didn't really dimish the beauty of this hike. The fog added in a sense of mystery to the suroundings. Only seeing the feet of Golden Gate Bridge sticking out of the fog gave me an illusion that the bridge was only half-finished. It is hard to believe that this hike is right in the city, that's what makes SF such a great city. We are so close to nature and beauty. After "Land's End", we walked around the neighborhood of "Sea Cliff", where the celebrities were rumored to reside. Every house was well landscaped and with beautiful decoration. What's more, each house looked so secluded, with a view to the bay and the Golden Gate Bridge. They were like villas on the French Riveria...The truely expensive people live here. But almost all of them looked beautiful but empty. What a waste! A place like this should be required by law to have party ALL the TIME! :)
		After the hike, we went to the Fillmore street for a yummy sandwich and coffee at Tango Gelato.