California Spikenard

Arelia Californica

The Friday hike was a very short one on Mt. Tamalpais in Marin Country. We drove across the Bay, parked at Pan Toll, paid the State Park fee, and then hiked down the spectacular Steep Ravine Trail about a mile and back again. Then we had a wonderful breakfast at the Parkside Cafe in Stinson Beach (highly recommended if you are ever in the area).

This plant is about five feet tall. The photo is not very sharp due to the lack of light under the redwoods, the absence of a tripod, and the consequent shallow depth of field, but you get an idea of what the trail and foliage were like and why the hike is one of our favorites.