Bald Hill Ridge
In late 1996 the Open Space Committee announced the purchase of five spectacular acres on Bald Hill Ridge between Bald Hill and Fairfax. This parcel, formerly known as the Quilici property, is now part of the larger 46-acre Bald Hill Ridge Preserve. The Bald Hill Preserve (which currently does not include the 60 acre summit of Bald Hill) is owned and managed by Marin County Parks. This was a top priority acquisition since it lies adjacent to Marin Municipal Water District lands. In 2015 the 16-acre Sky Ranch was added to the preserve after a very successful fundraising campaign lead by the Marin Open Space Trust. The original acquisitions took place between 1993 and 1996.
The Bald Hill Ridge was considered to be significant because of its proximity to Bald Hill's summit, a high priority for preservation due to its potential development. Adjacent to Bald Hill, this preserve is located at the second highest elevation along this vital ridgeline and greenbelt and is highly visible land that can be seen from many parts of San Anselmo.
The purchase price of approximately $2,150,000 for all four properties was funded by many public grants and hundreds of private donations
Access & Trails:
From the Hub, proceed west on Center Boulevard. Turn left on Redwood Road. Look for a sign on the right, park safely, and follow a very steep trail up to the preserve.
Another access is to park at Phoenix Lake in Ross and come up over Bald Hill.
A third is to go west from the Hub on Sir Francis Drake to the town of Fairfax. Turn left on Pastori, make the first right onto Broadway, and then turn left onto Bolinas. Drive about 0.5 mile, then turn left onto Porteous Avenue. The road almost immediately splits (this junction is unsigned); bear right to remain on Porteous. Drive about 0.5 mile to the end of the road. Park at Deer Park School. Walk around the school to the left and take the trail that goes uphill to the left. When you reach Worn Springs Fire Road at the top, turn left to descend to the former Sky Ranch, turn right to walk along the ridge top. The preserve will be on your left.
Distance: 1.10 miles each way
Elevation: 500’ climb
Difficultly: It is not difficult for families in reasonable shape, but might be too much for small children.
Dogs are permitted on-leash. No more than three dogs per person. Please clean up after your dog. No poop bags, trash cans, or water are available.
No bikes or horses.
Part of the trail is in the sun and can be hot in warm weather. As always, take water.
From Deer Park, walk around the school to the soccer field and turn left to the signed Deer Park Trail at 200’ elevation. The trail climbs through three long switchbacks to the Worn Springs Fire Road at .89 miles and 535’ elevation. Admire the views of Lagunitas Watershed and Mount Tamalpais. Turn right onto the Fire Road. The preserve is the land on the left side of the fire road. Climb to the high point of the ridge at 1.10 miles and 700’ elevation for spectacular 360° views. A meadow on your left is a good spot for a picnic. San Anselmo and San Rafael lay below, backed by San Rafael Ridge and San Pedro Mountain, with San Pablo Bay beyond.
Alternative return route: A scenic and easy return route is to continue east on the fire road. At 1.28 miles Buckeye Trail cuts off sharply on your right. Turn right to return to the Deer Park Trail for a total hike of about 2½ miles.
