Cascade Falls, Mill Valley, California
Mill Valley, California, in Marin County, has been called "The Switzerland of America," and for good reason. This is no theme town with false front shops all expressing a particular era. This is the real deal, with tasteful historic buildings, pathways, parks, redwood groves, trails up to Mount Tamalpais, including the famous Dipsea Trail, and creative houses. Being a walker by nature, my favorite place to visit in Mill Valley is Cascade Creek and Falls, just a 20-30 minute walk from the center of town (you can drive too, but the walk is a lot more fun).
Just walk up Throckmorton (wear shoes with good tread), go left through Old Mill Park (where an replica of the town’s first sawmill stands), cross Cascade Creek on the footbridge, then continue to the right, past the Dipsea Steps, up Cascade Drive to a trail to the left off the road and along the creek, passing historic Three Wells where people once drew water, crossing another footbridge and across the road to a trail that leads to lovely Cascade Falls that flows year round but is best in the winter when it really rips. It’s a good place to pause, sitting on the nearby bench, and reflecting on the natural gifts this world presents to us…if we only take the time to experience them.
There’s a trail up and over the falls, looping around to the trailhead, then back the same way. Check out my book, Hidden Walks in the East Bay and Marin for a more detailed description, and some additional town history.
Photo by Stephen Altschuler
copyright 2005 Stephen Altschuler --All rights reserved
The Mindful Hiker: On the Trail to Find the Path. Available at booksellers, from the publisher at www.devorss.com, or through me where you can order autographed copies.
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