With a heat wave scorching the East Bay, I decided to head west to the Pacific Coast and climb Mt Tamalpias.

It was already pretty warm when I started up from Mountain Home around 900 feet. Unfortunately, the trails up to the East Peak were partially exposed and facing the south so things heated up fast.

Fortunately, I made good time and reached the Fire Lookout at the top of the East Peak. Normally, I’d sit on the rocks overlooking San Francisco Bay and enjoy a snack, but the sun was so strong even at 10am, I enjoyed the view, rested a bit in the shade, and then headed down.

Deciding to try a circle route around the northern side of the mountain that offered some shade from the sun and that I don’t usually get a chance to explore, I ended up hiking down the Northside and Rock Springs Trails.

Going past the Mountain Theater, I then got a chance to enjoy a couple trails I had never had a chance to use: Bootjack and Troop 80 Trails. Mostly forested, but on that hot day it was very welcome to stay out of the sunlight.

So once I got out of the sun, it was an enjoyable 13 mile loop.