Bon Tempe Dam Watershed
Let the good times roll.
Over the last few months of spring, Karen and I have been exploring the area
around Bon Tempe dam in Marin County.
 This
is a great area for wild flower hiking with a wide range of terrain. Generally,
we start by parking by the ranger station, and hiking back around the trail from
the ranger parking lot.
This trail leads through some lovely wooded California oaks. This area was
especially nice last March, with streams and early spring flowers.
You could practically feel the spring, sprunging from the earth in a Calu
Calay of life. Warm days and soft breezes as you hike up brisk hills and down
protected valleys
Of course, the area is laced with several fern like lakes, that provide a
nice stroll for the less athletic, but still game hiker.
Hikers can not only drive right up to Bon Tempe Dam, but there are several
picnic areas by streams that the lake.
 .
.
The flowers really started to open up come April and by the end of the month,
the California poppies start to take their place in the sun with the earlier
Iris.
On the Saturday before Easter, Karen and I were lucky enough to find a
peaceful spot by the lake to read some Dante's Paradisio.
 Dragon
flies skimming the water as the world hummed with awakening life.
Leg stretching hikes as the lungs expanded to inhale the world of spring and
flowers. Caterpillars huddled on branches and butterflies began to flutter
fragile wings.
A lovely place to have a spring.
Directions: From 101, take Sir Francis Drake west. In Fairfax, turn
left on Pastori, right on Bradway and then left on Bolinas. Drive for about 1-2
miles on Fairfax-Bolinas Road. Turn left on Sky Oaks road (there's a sign for
the Watershed) and drive to the entrance kiosk. There is a $5 fee and they will
give you a free map.
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