The Hills Are Alive

The Hills Are Alive
            Snakelike trails cut across the peaks of the Marin Headlands, leading hikers through terrain marked by coyote brush and patches of grayish green rocks. After climbing a mix of steep stairs and gradual inclines, a push over the last rolling hills leads to an abandoned cement structure. Standing at the peak, we look down at the Pacific Ocean, Rodeo Lagoon, and ruins of historic military batteries. Turkey vultures tip their wings drunkenly above the highest ridge.
            Hill 88 is an uninspiring name for a place with such stunning views. On clear days, you can see for miles in every direction, like the opening scene of The Sound of Music where Julie Andrews belts out “The Hills Are Alive” as she spins in a circle on a glorious mountain top.
            On foggy days, you can’t see six feet ahead. Extreme fog has its own unique aesthetic appeal, but for those who like to have visibility for miles, autumn tends to be when the Bay Area has its best weather. There is no guarantee when thick fog will or won’t swoop in, so be prepared for both.
            The clarity of mind brought by walking in nature helps us see past tangled emotions and life circumstances, whether we’re walking under clear skies or cloudy.
            The featured hike from the archives is Hill 88 from Rodeo Beach, a hike that involves a fair amount of climbing with a payoff of 360 degree panoramic views.
            May your feet carry you to places that offer a clearer vision of yourself, even if the skies are murky. Keep putting one foot forward!
 
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New this week:
Hike Notes 55: Hill 88 from Rodeo Beach