Alpine Dam Family Adventure

A tease of summer has finally arrived. After rain, cold, wind and more rain, comes some sun and heat. The children are starting to ask for some outdoor adventures. So we decided that a family bike ride was in order and one of our favorite places do family biking is on the Alpine to Kent (lakes) Pump Fire Road.

Don't let this unfortunate name discourage you. It is an ideal place for a family outing, not too strenuous and beautiful at the same time. The road is mostly flat and reaching the back side of Kent Lake makes a good destination to motivate the kids. The sound of water running keeps you company along the way. Wild roses, and large numbers of red columbine can be found in the more shaded and moist sections of the road. This and more awaits. 

The road out is mostly flat after a short drop from Alpine Dam. The road descends about 150 feet in elevation then levels out for 2.5 miles. It winds in and out of the trees, but is mostly forested and cool. To the left in the bottom of the canyon is Lagunitas Creek which flows from the base of the Alpine Dam.

Alpine Dam was built in 1918 and is the only concrete dam in the MMWD water reservoir system. During the wet season the dam's spillways are running and water cascades down the steps of the dam. It has a pleasant Japanese look and feel to it and we enjoy sitting a bit and watching it flow. 

The road follows the creek and winds it way to the main junction where the Pine Mountain tunnel starts and travels 1.6 miles under Pine Mountain. The pipe brings water from Kent Lake to the filter plant above Ross. This is the end of the road for bicycles. Break out the snacks and sit by the lake and look out.

The area across Kent Lake, and the creek you followed in, is some of the most remote wilderness in Marin County. Kent Lake is the only Central Marin reservoir with no trail around it. The land is heavily forested and steep and it is a place where wildlife reigns. It is amazing to realize how few people have ever adventured in the area.

If you have had enough, turn for the trip back. If not there are a few more places to visit on foot. A small path heading up the small creek to the right leads to Carson Falls 0.7 miles up the trail. You start out by crossing a small meadow and into a beautiful redwood grove. This area was once the location of the Big Trees hunting camp and remained private until 1971. Continue past the camp for 0.4 more miles you will reach the 100-foot Carson Waterfall, .

Now it is time to turn around. Hike back to Kent Lake and try and remember where you stashed the bikes. The road back is more uphill than down, but don't let the kids whine too much. Bring a few leftover Easter candies and hand them out every mile. Works for us.  

You may want to bring a bike lock if you decide to do the extra hiking portion. There are not a lot of parking spaces at the dam, so it is best to park along the Bolinas-Fairfax Road before the dam. If you try and go over the dam to park, you will often find lots of parked cars at the entrance to Cataract Trail and no parking spaces. The road is narrow and windy, so be very careful with kids on bikes.