Spring on Sonoma and Burdell Mountain

It was a beautiful  day March 29. I decided to throw the dice and wing a trip up the west side of Sonoma Mountain (2,463') a massive rolling hill about 20 miles north. There's a well known trail up the east side out of Jack London State Park but I wanted to go up the open grassy slopes on the west with better views and lots of sky and open hillsides. Only problem was it's all on private property.
According to the topo map there were only a few structures from an elevation of about 1,300' by the road that goes all the way to the top. I figured I could park there and have an open hike the rest of the way up. All went according to plan but I failed to take into account the fact that the topo map was maybe 30 years old. When I got about a half mile up there was a big sprawling mansion ahead. I decided to cross a meadow and a small ravine to go up a forested ridge to avoid being seen. After about another half mile up through the trees I came to some stables, fences and a summer house with a vehicle parked in front. There was really no way to continue without being a total sitting (or in this case hiking) duck for trespassing.
I just decided to go back before I got busted. Drove up to the top of the mountain but it was all private prop. so I decided to go back to Marin and find another hill to hike because it was such a nice day and I didn't want to waste it. Nevertheless I got some nice shots from the big spreading grassy west slopes of Sonoma Mountain in the process.

Burdell Mountain redemption

  It was lunchtime now and I thought about stopping to eat but had a bag of roasted peanuts for the drive back which are a meal in themselves. After a few handfuls I was well fortified and ready for a trip up Burdell Mountain (1,558') in northern Marin County. All the elements were present for an enjoyable hike to the top and back with beautiful green hillsides, swirling clouds and a colorful splash of poppies and afternoon light at the end of the hike. Though I've hiked the mountain many times and even done a mountain rock page on it I found out the only quick way down from where I was at near the top without winding up on the other side of the mountain was off trail through a forest and down a steep open slope. But this brought me to some beautiful spots. I noticed once again that letting things take their course and just persisting can bring pleasant surprises in the end.