At the headwaters of Larkspur Creek, this 196-acre preserve
encompasses a lovely canyon filled with history, stately trees, and a
spectacular waterfall. The trail system here connects to several of the main
fire roads that traverse the north slopes of Mount Tamalpais, as well as to
other District lands including King Mountain and Blithedale Summit.
This canyon was once home to some of the largest redwoods in
the Bay area, but all were cut in less than a decade to build the homes and
businesses in rapidly growing San Francisco. Many redwoods have re-sprouted,
but now the canyon is shaded by a mix of trees that includes bays, madrones,
and Douglas firs. Certain parts of the creek remain wet year-round, so there
are young steelhead and Pacific giant salamanders lurking in the deeper pools.
At a wide spot in the canyon, you can see the remnants of a stone
dam that once created a small reservoir; this dam was dynamited in
the ‘20’s as a result of a drowning. Further up the creek is the quarry
that yielded the stones for the dam, as well as the Larkspur restaurant
known as “the Blue Rock Inn.” At the head of the canyon lies Dawn
Falls, a spectacular 30-foot cascade during the wet winter months
through early spring.
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Featured Species at this preserve:
California sister
Western Trillium
Pacific Giant Salamander
Convergent Lady Beetle
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