Once a year when the days are long I like to do this 20 mile hike in the vast tracts of land north of Mt. Tamalpias.

These are Marin County watershed lands containing several lakes and a system of antiquated-looking pipes on trestles.

From Bolinas-Fairfax road, these north-bound fire roads are surprisingly free of hikers and bikers, compared to those that run south towards Mt. Tam.

Most of the hike runs along the narrow Kent Lake, which is usually hidden down in the ravine below Bolinas Ridge, which runs north-south for miles.

Here you turn east, drop down to one of the arms of Kent Lake, then climb the ridge on the other side.

Along the route back you can see the hills that shelter Lucas Ranch from the prying eyes of the public.

A rare Sargent Cypress grove.