Little Mountain

Overview

 
Little Mountain is exactly that, a little mountain. I've wondered about this hike for years seeing it from other highpoints and found out it's a great viewpoint well worth the minimal effort. This petite hill just northwest of the town of Novato is surrounded by much higher hills and mountains in northern Marin County. Little Mountain is a 214 acre nature preserve with oaks and open grasslands on the south slope and a heavily forested north slope which is characteristic of most hills in the area.
The Doe Hill Fire Road runs along the southern edge and is a link to the Bay Area Ridge Trail. It connects the trails of Olompali State Park and Mount Burdell Preserve to Indian Tree Preserve to the south.
This is an easy hike with only 700' elevation gain and about 1.5 miles round trip. Views from the top include Burdell Mountain to the north, San Pablo Bay to the east, Big Rock Ridge to the south and a fine view of Stafford Lake just below to the west.

Getting There

 From the east:From Hwy. 101 in Novato take the Atherton Ave./San Marin exit west on San Marin Ave. which becomes Sutro Ave. after the Novato Blvd junction. Turn right at Center Rd. and turn right at Trish Dr. which becomes Kathleen Dr. MCOSD gate at roads end.
The Doe Hill Fire Road is just beyond the gate. An obvious use trail goes up the south slope a short distance to the west.

From the west: From Hwy 101 in Novato take the Atherton Ave./San Marin exit west on San Marin Ave. which turns into Sutro Ave at the Novato Blvd. Turn right on Center Rd. MCOSD gate at roads end.

Red Tape

Click on this pic.
 

Camping

 There is no camping on Little Mountain.

Current weather and 5 day forecast

 For the current weather and 5 day forecast for Novato Ca. click here.

Images

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