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A Sunrise Hike on Mt. Tamalpais

The hills glisten gold, the sunrise giving way to a cotton candy sky over the Bay in the distance. ​

By: Kevin Tangney + Save to a List

We found ourselves in Pacifica CA, known for its legendary September fog that makes you feel like an intruder in the city in the clouds. There celebrating the birth of my first niece, we were in search of a side adventure and planned a trip to Mount Tamalpais State Park, located just north of San Francisco.

Gear packed, we woke before dawn the next day, grabbed our coffee and proceeded to race the sun up the windy mountain road. As we neared, the park entrance was unexpectedly closed. Undeterred and buzzing with anticipation, we settled on bootjack parking lot, payed the man with a kind note and trekked a couple of miles up the side the mountain past a wary fox and some grazing deer. 

It was the first time either one of us had been to Mt. Tam. It didn’t disappoint. We had the mountains to ourselves for the better part of the morning. The hills glisten gold, the sunrise giving way to a cotton candy sky over the Bay in the distance.

We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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