Today I led my CSM class from San Pedro Valley County Park, in Pacifica, over Montara Mountain, to our awaiting cars on Highway 1 just south of Devil's Slide. The wildflowers were amazing. Flowering plants continue blooming much longer here than in most of the Bay Area because of the cool moist influence of the Pacific. This cool moist influence, in the form of fog, deprived us of the stunning views I wanted the class to enjoy.When we came to the junction between the Montara Mountain Trail and the North Peak Access Road, we had a choice to make. Should we give up on the view and head west to our cars, or should be take a chance that the summit might be above the fog layer and go southeast to the top? A vote was taken and it was agreed that we would go for the summit.
It was the right choice. As we ascended the North Peak of Montara Mountain, we climbed above the fog and into the bright sun and blue skies. We looked down on a vast sea of fog that stretched westward to the horizon, north all the way to Mount Tamalpais, and east nearly to Mount Diablo. To the south we could see the foggy layer struggle and fail to pour over the Santa Cruz Mountains south of the airport. It was the highlight of the trip both figuratively and literally. The total length of this hike is nearly seven miles, with about 1800 feet of elevation gain.
Thanks for posting the photos. It was quite a hike!
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