As we approach the winter solstice, many of us bemoan the shorter daylight hours.  But there is a particular quality to winter light that I find to be especially captivating.  It has to do with the fact that the sun is so low in the sky, so the shadows are longer and more dramatic.

The place where I notice this the most is in the woods because of the way the light filters through the trees.  The winter rains turn everything green and mossy, and the forest feels a little enchanted. We are so lucky in the Bay Area to have an abundance of breathtaking places to hike, and a mild enough climate to enjoy them year-round.

Ten years ago, my husband and I began a tradition of taking a long hike at the end of the year, which just happens to coincide with my birthday.  It’s become a time to reflect on the previous year and look ahead to the next year. Whatever challenges we may have faced over the year, it’s easy to gain perspective when we are surrounded by the mountains and towering trees

Today I’m sharing 5 of the hikes we’ve done.  But they are all favorites, so we’ll go by year!

2009: Tafoni & Fir Trail Loop, El Corte Madera Open Space Preserve (Peninsula).

One minute you’re hiking in a lush forest and the next these massive sandstone formations pop up in front of you.  They are speckled with wonderful patterns formed over millions of years, and in the winter, the bright green moss creates a vibrant color combination against the variations of greys and sand colors.

2014: Goodspeed Trail to Gunsight Rock, Sugarloaf Ridge State Park & Hood Mountain Regional Park (Sonoma County)

This hike was so beautiful that it seems we forgot to take pictures, except for the obligatory selfie at the top!  The hiking trail has everything you would want in the way of natural beauty. And the view from the top of the rolling hills of Sonoma County makes it more than worthwhile.  

We made a long weekend out of it and stayed nearby at the Indian Hot Springs in Calistoga.  There is nothing better than a cool winter hike followed by a soak in their Olympic-sized pool, filled with naturally warm mineral waters.  

 

2015: Matt Davis & Steep Ravine Loop, Mt Tamalpais State Park (Marin)

This trail from Mount Tamalpais down to Stinson Beach is sort of like a crash course in the varied terrains of Northern Californian, ranging from evergreens to oak grove, to a meadow, to the ocean. 

In the winter, the oak trees lose their leaves and bright green moss covers the gnarled branches, creating a spectrum of greens and a random lacework pattern that contrasts against the grey winter sky.

 

 

 

 

 

2017: Heritage Grove & Hiker’s Hut Loop, Sam McDonald County Park (Peninsula)

We did this as a day hike but discovered that there is a rustic little cabin that you can rent through the Sierra Club.  Personally, I love the backcountry experience of waking up in a remote and pristine setting. However, I’m not such a fan of lugging all the gear, so this is my kind of backcountry camping!  But we will save our stay at the Hiker’s Hut for the warmer summer months.

2018: Baltimore Canyon + Dawn Falls Trail Loop in Larkspur (Marin)

Last year’s hike was not quite as remote as other years.  In fact, this hike is just a short walk from Magnolia Ave in Larkspur.  This means that after the hike, you can stop at Posie Ice Cream Shop for delicious ice cream and inventive flavors!  

The first part of the loop follows along a creek and on the opposite side are a series of homes nestled into the forest.  I’m always a fan of A-frame homes, but this one especially caught my attention. The concept is so simple but works so well as a mountain cabin from both the inside and the outside.  

Our hiking selection for 2019… still TBD!

All of these hikes are from a tattered copy of ‘101 Great Hikes of the San Francisco Bay Area’ by Ann Marie Brown.  

We only have about 90 more to go!