Guide to Our Natural Environment
San Geronimo Valley Open Space Preserves by Jean Berensmeier Look around the Valley! It’s hard to believe that until the 1970s there was no county public open space or public trails in the San Geronimo Valley. That changed in 1972. A survey done of over 80% of Valley residents by the ad hoc San Geronimo Valley Planning Group found that 88% of the residents preferred that the areas outside the village boundaries be preserved as open space. That fall two Marin elections took place that changed Marin forever. First, the Countywide Plan was adopted. The plan controlled or eliminated development in Marin’s unincorporated areas and nullified the Valley’s ’61 Master Plan calling for 20,000 residents. It saved the ranches in Nicasio Valley and West Marin. Its passage also mandated that West Marin villages create Community Plans. At the same time, a bond mea- sure passed that created the Marin County Parks and Open Space District to levy taxes to purchase and preserve open space. Currently, the county owns four open space pre- serves in the Valley, totaling around 2,500 acres. Following is a description of each preserve and how to access it. Marin County Open Space Dist. Preserves Roy’s Redwoods This is a 309-acre gem offering a redwood grove towering over an open meadow,
trails are open to hikers. Equestrians are limited to one des- ignated trail. Bikes are not permitted. Access : The trailhead is on Nicasio Valley Road .4 miles north of the junction of SF Drake Blvd. and Nicasio Val- ley Road. There is also an equestrian access from Dickson Ranch via a tunnel under Drake Blvd. Maurice Thorner A series of steep switchbacks over mainly open hillside takes you to the top of this low rolling ridge of 33 acres, in the center of the Valley. Walk eastward to enjoy fine Valley views. Drop down on the east end to the multi-use bridge that crosses Nicasio Valley Road and joins a trail to Roy’s Redwoods. Access : Take School Road off of Sir Francis Drake Blvd. and park at the west end of the San Geronimo School parking lot where the trail begins. Gary Giacomini This preserve wraps around the four villages on the south side of the Valley. It includes the fire road on top of the ridge, originally known as Pine Mountain Truck Road, now called San Geronimo Ridge Fire Road, that goes from the Cascade Preserve in Fairfax to Peters Dam adjacent to Taylor Park—a five-mile walk. On the way, you’ll enjoy spectacular views of the Mt. Tam Watershed, the Valley, Mt. Diablo, Mt. Saint Helena and, on a clear day, the Sier- ra Nevada range to the east. Highlights include the dwarf Sgt. Cypress in moon-like landscapes on the ridge. Access : From Woodacre, use Summit or Fire Road off
grassland knolls, ephem- eral creeks and abundant native plants and wildlife. The meadow is a popu- lar family picnic spot, hosting weddings and Celebrations of Life, with narrow trails leading into the redwood understory. An equestrian trail starts near the entrance and travels above the meadow, over a small ridge and then down slope to a short tunnel under SF Drake Blvd. that con- nects with the Dickson Ranch. The preserve’s unique watershed forms the headwaters of Larsen Creek, home of spawning coho salmon and steel- head trout. The preserve’s
Gary Giacomini Open Space, view north (Photo by Laurence Brauer)
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50 th Anniversary
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