Marin Headlands Wildflowers Hike at Muir Beach

Hike: Coastal Trail/Green Gulch Trail Loop from Muir Beach

Hike Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous (lots of climbing)

Hike Distance: A little over 5 miles or almost 7 miles (this depends on whether you cut over on Coastal Fire Road or Tennessee Valley Trail)

(I recommend printing out the Marin Headlands Trail Map before you go on this hike because the map at the trailhead is only for a very small portion of the area. It does not cover this entire hike.)

We've hiked the shorter and longer loops and both are great. If you end up out here on a beautiful, clear day, I recommend taking the longer loop. On Sunday, it was pretty cold and windy, so we opted for the shorter hike. You still get your heart rate going good on the hills, great views and the unique experience of walking right through Green Gulch Farm. 

For the shorter loop, we started out on the Coastal Trail for 1.9 miles. As the name suggests, we were right along the coast. This trail has a lot of ups and downs, but you have views the entire time. It's pretty awesome. 

 View of Muir Beach from Coastal Trail

The Coastal Trail up ahead

We went left onto the Coastal Fire Road. At the Fox Trail, we turned left and then shortly after turned right on Coyote Ridge Trail. Then we took the second Green Gulch Trail (not Middle Green Gulch). When you get to the farm, it is tricky. We've done it a couple ways and we always feel lost. Don't worry about it. I get the impression that as long as you are quiet and respectful, it's fine to just keep walking until you meet back up with the trail on the west end of the property. While you are there, take your time admiring their beautiful gardens and greenhouses. 

We've hiked here multiple times at different times of year. I did not expect to see so many wildflowers on this May Day. I highly recommend going to check them out if you love wildflowers as much as I do! 

I love wildflowers and taking pictures of them, but I don't claim to be an expert. If you know what a flower is that I don't name, or you think I'm wrong with the name I provide, please feel free to comment! I'd love to learn more. 

 Columbine

 Lupine - definitely made me think of Milford Sound

 Indian Paintbrush - My absolute favorite

Sweet peas - definitely a reminder of our wedding day

More lupine? How incredible are the colors on this one? 

Before they become flowers

 Muir Beach from Green Gulch Trail

Douglas Iris

The rest of my pictures are from beautiful Green Gulch Farm. 

We didn't do it this time, but one of the coolest things about this hike is that the Pelican Inn is right at the end of the hike. You can get a drink there, sit out on their beautiful lawn, and relax a bit after your long hike.

Circle Trail at Hyde Memorial State Park

(Photo taken with iPhone)

Hike Difficulty: Moderate

Hiking Distance (Round Trip): 3.91 miles

Time (Round Trip): 2-3 hours

Elevation: 8,398 feet to 9.399 feet

With so many incredible and longer hikes starting in the Santa Fe Ski Basin, I'm guessing Circle Trail in Hyde Memorial State Park often gets overlooked. We didn't see another person on this entire hike. Also, it costs $5 to park, while it's free to park in the Ski Basin. However, I never feel bad about paying money to hike, because I can't think of a way I'd rather spend my money than to keeping state parks alive. And this hike was absolutely wonderful and worth every penny!

Circle Trail is a loop and a little under 4 miles long. Parking can be found right before you get to the Visitor Center on Hyde Park Road (which Artist Road turns into) or right after and both small parking areas have self-pay stations. The trailhead is right across the road from the Visitor Center and has a very clear map of the trails in the park. Along the trail, everything is really well marked. You cannot get lost on this trail. Keep your eyes open for "Circle Trail" signs and you are good to go. 

The first mile of the trail climbs steadily up, from 8,398 feet to 9,399 ft. It was definitely a strenuous climb, but the footing is easy and we kind of got into a rhythm. We also always take plenty of breaks on our hikes, so we can take in the views and so I can take plenty of pictures of the wildflowers. I've been very impressed with the assortment of wildflowers in the Santa Fe area during my time here in August. I am getting equally excited about my time here in late September/early October when I hear the Aspen trees are going to blow my mind! 

An historic ski tow rope building can be seen on the slope opposite the one we climbed up. 

 Love these little ones but don't know what they are. Maybe Scarlet Gilia? 

Fleabane (I think?)

 Jemez Mountains in the distance

Anyway, back to the hike. After the first mile, it's all basically down hill. But the views continue to be amazing. The trees smell incredible. The footing is soft. We completed this hike during the mid-afternoon, which we knew was risky given the consistent afternoon thunderstorms we've encountered here. However, for the majority of this hike the sun was beaming through the trees and I just felt that feeling...like this is what life is about! 

 If we had done this hike earlier in the day, this would have been the perfect spot for lunch!

 Clearly someone else was inspired by this hike. Introducing the new form of prancercise: prancerhiking!

About 2 miles into the hike, it started to sprinkle while still sunny. Then it started to rain harder, but the sun persisted and it was simply magical! Still no thunder, so we weren't worried (plus, we were pretty far down from the top of the trail at this point, so didn't feel unsafe). The rain was cold and so refreshing. Some people might have been disappointed with the rain, but it just added to my enjoyment of the hike. The smell of the rain on the trees and the trail. Seeing the rain falling in the distance, shimmering from the sun shining through it. Driving back out of the rain to Santa Fe, where the rain never fell. It was a terrific way to spend a couple hours, rain and shine!