The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-28
that you can walk briskly up any part of it
Winding alnnp hillsideS sEirtiun shar,

that you can walk briskly up any part of it.
Winding along hillsides, skirting sharp
sleeps, running under forest trees, ci.cling
the heads OF heavily wooded ravines, swing
ing boldly around. the huge shoulders of
bushy bluffs, it compels it, walker to face
every point Of the compass and to DO it many
times. Yet the grade is everywhere so uni
form and so gradual and it constantly re-
wards the climber with increasing breadth
and beauty of varying views, while at the
same time, by virtue of its clambering the
northern slopes. it affords so many grateful
SHADES and screens from the overardent sun
of even clear day in California midwintpr,
that nearly every one who has fairly tried it
votes 1t not only the finest for prospect but
by far the most comfortable in the State
Every few rods the req cleaning of the
Christmas berry .lightens up the somber
greens of the mouutain-side ravines, while
nearly all the deeper canyons, especially
those bearing redwoods or other large trees,
afford water within few rods of the track.
Remember, however, that the best climbers
drink the least.
When you get opposite, that is just about
north Of the summit, you can climb
directly up over the rough and loose and
sliding rocks, but it is much more comfort
able and nearly as quick to go right ON west
erly toward
THE FARTHER AND HIGHER PEAK
For fully three-quarters of mile. Here, at
point nearly opposite the big trees in tile
spring-cany0n at your right. You will easily
find the trail starting off through the brush
to the left and presently turning backward
toward The summit which you have just
passed. Taking this you may have the sum-
NIT itself under your feet in ten or fifteen
minutes. Coming into this trail from the
south. that is your right hand going up, you
may notice the trail from the Mill Valley
road which you may want to use in going
down.
Thepeak itself is the northerly end of a
rough rocky crest along which you will
easily see the marks of the many feet that
have preceded yours. One rough rock or
bowlder lies here offering its top jas the very
highest point of all. You want to- stand on
this and reflect that your. feet are now 2676
feet above the level of the sea you overlook.
Ii you have taken a compass, as, of course,
you have, ii you often roam, and have one
of our clear California winter days, you will
the more inteligently enjoy
THE OUTLOOK.
Remembering that the variation of the
compass, for us, is little over one pOint-a
point of the compass is slightly more
than 11.2'--you Will locate the Farallones
away out in the Pacific. nearly west-south-
west; Bolinas Bay. west-northwest; To-
males Bay, west-northwest; Mount ST.
Helena. north by east; Mount Diablo, east
by south; San Francisco, southeast by east:
the Golden Gate, south-southeast, with other
towns, peaks, bays and beaches; the map
like, slougll:cut marshes; the hIly. milk
ranch pastures; the railways, winding be-
tween rounded hills, branching valleys.
wooded ravines, dense tbickets, scattered
groves aud heavier forests, until, as the
vision ranges nearer. 1t sweeps over leagues
of chaparral and climbs up the brush-clad,
rocky, mountain sides sloping steeply up-
ward to your very feet. All these combine
into landscape SO extensive and so varied
that you begin 10 realize that no single trip
can enable you 10 exhaust 1t, and you are
fully ready to subscribe to the opinion of
those who pf ouounce the view from Taual-
pals by far the most extensive, grand and
beautiful TO be enjoyed from any similar
height in California.
The return may, of course, be made the
way you came, or, If you like and are equal
TO the rocky trails, go out
UPON THE SOUTHEAST ROCKS
And study which of the trails lies nearest in
the direction you prefer. You can 20 n
little back along the trail you came and then
turn to your left into the trail which will
bring you round through Mill Valley, or
you may climb down over the rocks to the
SOUTHEAST into the beginning of tho direct
Mill Valley trail, which you can see For
mile this IS rough and rocky, far too much
so for ladies', but it Is the shortest and
brings you straight down to the Mill Valley
Station. Besides these you have the choice
OF two others; one taking you down east
southeasterly into the Blythedale trail, and
the 0lner, more easterly, bringing you
ont by Murray's ranch to the Tanalpais
Station.
The best time of the year is after the
early rains. Then the air is cool and clear,
tile outlook Is perfect. the trails are free
from dust. The best part Of the day is the
earliest you can stand. 1t may involve a
little discomfort in starting, but it will give
you SO much more time TO enjoy the fine out
look along the way, and especially so much
more opportunity to study and more worthilv
appreciate the grand view from the summit.