Ring Mountain Preserve: A Must-Do Hike for Waters Edge Hotel Guests!
Here’s one for all of the geology-lovers, rock-lovers, and open-space lovers: Ring Mountain Preserve on the Tiburon Peninsula. This spot is a staff favorite at Waters Edge Hotel in Tiburon and it’s a bit of a hidden gem, so naturally we want to share!
Atop Turtle Rock
This is not one of our much-loved Flat Hikes of Marin. No matter which way you approach it, you’re in for a steep climb. But wow when you get up there, worth it! Mars-like landscape. Vast open space. Views of the San Francisco skyline. And those rare rocks and flowers.
If you’ve booked our Special Hiking Package at Waters Edge Hotel, pull out those binoculars! The things you’ll see from your spot on top! Also you’ll enjoy snacks and bevies, all you need to do is find a rock with a view.
Open space and views on Ring Mountain
Bay Nature Magazine characterizes the spot in bit of poetic geology:
“The rocks underneath the hiker’s feet have been squeezed and folded, smashed and pushed, chemically altered and physically tortured. Indeed, the geologic story of Ring Mountain is probably among the most violent of the entire Bay Area. Scientists believe that most of the rocks underlying this modest 602-foot-high “mountain” once lay at the bottom of an ocean, and beginning about 165 million years ago, they were driven many dozens of miles into the earth’s mantle in a process called subduction—only later to be pushed back up to the surface, displaying the scars of their voyage into the fiery cauldron deep inside our planet.”
The entirety of the Bay Nature Magazine article is worth a read.
Those ancient rocks!
Getting There: The main trailhead is on Paradise Drive east of Corte Madera. Take the Paradise Drive exit from Hwy. 101. Just past Westward Drive is a small sign on the right for Ring Mountain. Park along the road. Or continue along Paradise Drive for another half mile and turn right on Taylor Road. There is limited parking at the end of Taylor Road. Note: There are no facilities on the trail.
Here is a map; our staff is happy to print a map for you if you want to take one with you!
See you out there!
p.s the photo at the top of this post was captured by none other than Anna Marten, Operations Manager at Waters Edge Hotel!
