This huge property (just a few acres smaller than the Mount Burdell
Preserve), is a wild and rugged place. One can’t help but get a sense
of true wilderness when walking along the San Geronimo Ridge Fire
Road that traverses the ridgeline. On the other side of this ridge,
the MMWD watershed lands above Kent Lake form an immense expanse of
pristine forests stretching all the way to Mount Tamalpais. The windswept
ridge has a high-altitude feel, accentuated by the presence of a forest
of dwarf Sargent Cypress trees. Interspersed along the way are patches
of the rare Marin Manzanita, and in the rock gardens between the shrubs
are lovely jewelflowers and other delicate blooms in abundance.
This area was once slated for development. Considerable local support for its preservation resulted
in its acquisition by the Open Space District. The preserve was named in honor
of Gary Giacomini, a long-time west Marin county supervisor who was
instrumental in orchestrating the deal that saved this land from development. Recently, the lush redwood
canyon formerly known as Bates Canyon was renamed to honor Willis Evans, a
tireless environmental advocate who spearheaded local efforts to preserve coastal streams.
Nearly five miles of the San Geronimo Fire Road run along the southern
boundary of this preserve. This road, extending from Peter’s Dam (at
the Shafter bridge crossing on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard) to Azalea
Hill on the Bolinas Fairfax road, is among the most scenic (and longest)
fire roads in Marin. Hikers, bicyclists and equestrians wishing to
link together longer outings should consider exploring this road that
connects with our White’s Hill and Cascade Canyon Preserves, as well
as many popular trails and roads in the MMWD watershed.
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Featured Species at this preserve:
Pale Swallowtail
American Kestrel
Western Bluebird
Sargent Cypress
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