Sunset Trail: Abundant wildflowers announces Spring's arrival

March 24, 2010

Sunset Trail: Abundant wildflowers announces Spring's arrival

Abundant rains followed by abundant sunshine equals abundant spring wildflowers! This is so true, and especially evident right now on Angel Island.

A trip to Angel Island is special no matter what you decide to do; hiking, biking, picnicking or just plain nothing. The 15-minute ferry ride over to this largely unspoiled jewel of the Bay, is a wonderful introduction to another place and time. The 1.2 square mile island has hiking trails, bike roads and picnic areas galore. We found one trail bursting with wildflowers and amazing Bay views.

(full photo album here)

Angel Island was the center for West Coast immigration during the years between 1910 and 1940 processing thousands of immigrants, mostly Chinese. Due to the Chinese Exclusion Act, many of these immigrants were detained for extended periods of time here. After an extensive rehabilitation, the immigration center re-opened for tours. Visiting the center is worthwhile trip in and of itself, but today we're here to talk trails.

The Sunset Trail can be broken up into two different hikes. The abbreviated hike, which is the one we took, was about a mile up to the Fire Road and then continued on the Fire Road for about a quarter mile. If you have several hours and are in good shape, you can continue up the Sunset Trail to the peak of Mt. Livermore. (Note: plan ahead to make sure you have plenty of time to make the last ferry off the island.)

Spring is a fantastic time to see wildflowers on Angel Island and we spotted a profusion of them. The Sunset Trail is about a quarter mile from the docks and getting up to the trailhead was the steepest part. The hike is on a narrow, winding trail that zigzags up the hillside burrowing deeper into the trees. Every so often the tree canopy is punctuated by a view of the water giving you a taste of what's to come.

As we hiked deeper into the wooded hills, we saw carpets of blue Forget-me-nots blanketing the hillsides. Here and there along the sun-shaded trails were Hound's Tongue with a light blue flower. We were told it would turn pink soon. Masses of broad leafed plants with tiny white flowers in their centers, competed with lush ferns.

After we reached the Fire Road, and the sun, we left the Sunset Trail and turned right onto the Fire Road. In the full sun, we began to see the 'hot' colored flowers; Indian Paintbrush and California Golden Poppy.

Overhead, a Red-tailed Hawk soared on the thermals. Here you can also see evidence of the 2008 fire that ravaged a lot of the island. Burned tree stumps jutted from the grassy hillside, but major natural rejuvenation is underway.

As we rounded a bend, the spectacular bay vista came into view. From our vantage point we stopped to enjoy the sailboats dotting the bay, the sweep of Marin County and of course, the Golden Gate Bridge. Granted, there are great views from the Marin Headlands and Mt. Tam, but this view surrounded by the water and wildflowers, was special.