Spring on Mount Tamalpais (March 19, 2004)

I enjoyed a great hike on Mt. Tamalpais just hours before the Vernal Equinox. Unusually warm temperatures have brought many wildflowers into bloom, but we need more rain to sustain them.

A morning view of Mount Tamalpais and heather in bloom. Lower end of the Steep Ravine Trail, in the early morning light. West Peak of Mt. Tamalpais, from Stinson Beach. Disporum smithii (Fairy Bells) in Steep Ravine. Aquilegia formosa (Red Columbine) on the eve of the Equinox. Another view of Disporum smithii. Solanum aviculare (Tree Solanum) in Steep Ravine. A fallen tree on the Steep Ravine Trail. Trillium chloropetalum (Giant Wake Robin) in bloom on Mt. Tamalpais. The Pacific Ocean and Stinson Beach, from the Dipsea Trail. Cardamine californica is still blooming, but just beginning to fade. Lupine blooming on the Dipsea trail (with Mt. Tam in the background). Marah fabaceus (Wild Cucumber or Manroot) in bloom on the Dipsea Trail Trillium ovatum, with a few drops of the early morning fog. Trillium ovatum (Wake Robin) in Steep Ravine. Delphinium nudicaule (Red Larkspur) blooming on the Matt Davis Trail. Calypso bulbosa (Calypso Orchid) in bloom near Pantoll. Delphinium nudicaule. Dichelostemma capitatum (Blue Dicks) on the Matt Davis Trail. Cynoglossum grande (Hound's Tongue) on Mt. Tamalpais. Frittileria affinis (Marin Checker Lily) on the Matt Davis Trail. The Pacific Ocean and fog, from the Coast Trail. Zigandenus fremontii (Star Lily) blooming on the Matt Davis Trail. Clouds above Mount Tamalpais, from the Coast Trail.