From the Novato Valley, this oak-studded mountain rises 1,558 feet
to a summit which offers breathtaking views of the entire Bay Area.
Along the way, visitors pass through lush grasslands and impressive
forests that contain some of the finest (and oldest) specimens of
oak and bay trees in Marin. Along the slopes above San Marin Drive
there are areas where serpentine soils give rise to rare and unusual
plants, as well as fertile grasslands that glow with spring colors
during wildflower season. Hidden Lake, a seasonal pond located about
halfway to the top, is home to an assortment of rare plants and is
swarming with frogs, salamanders and other creatures during the wet
season. On the western edge of the preserve, a wildlife area closed
to dogs and bicyclists is traversed by the Dwarf Oak Trail, a perfect
place to enjoy a quiet stroll among wildflowers, shady trees and abundant
wildlife. The dry, open country on the slopes of this mountain is
home to many species of birds that are scarce in the rest of Marin.
During a few spring months, certain portions of the preserve are
grazed by small herds of domestic cattle. This practice helps to reduce the
non-native grasses which have a tendency to overcrowd many native species.
Please be sure to close all gates you encounter to keep the cattle in their
proper pastures.
The Mount Burdell Open Space Preserve was purchased in
1977 by the Open Space District and local residents. At the time of purchase,
the slopes and water sources were suffering from decades of overgrazing. Proper
land management practices and habitat restoration efforts have significantly
improved this landscape of springs and delicate soils, which continue to improve
each year.
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Featured Species at this preserve:
Acmon Blue
Lark Sparrow
Lazuli Bunting
Bullock's Oriole
Pacific Treefrog
Bobcat
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