A challenging hike with top of the world (Bay Area) views!
Big Rock (AKA The Towers) is the second highest mountain in prominence in Marin County and is some what omnipresent in the towns of Novato and San Rafael, being visually present almost everywhere. It offers multiple join/exit routes, but the longest route is a one way trip from the trail head at "Big Rock", beside Lucas Valley Ranch to Pebble Beach Drive in the sleepy neighborhood of Loma Verde (my old home). It offers great gain, and distance with stunning views along the way.
Days/Nights - 1/NA - day hike
Miles - 8.4
Elevation Gain -1,821
Starting Elevation - 621
Ending Elevation - 254
Highest Elevation - 1,877 See AllTrails here
This hike starts as it means to go on - upward to the towers with close to zero flat for 3.7 miles. But don't let that put you off. You are rewarded with views almost the entire way up and each switch back gets better and better!
In full transparency, I have done this maybe 6 times (the upward part) and did it as a birthday hike for the last 3 years, but I have turned around twice! Once due to a foot injury and once due to tiredness. Anyone can do it, but it is quite hard, especially on an off day! I have also done it with a full pack for training hikes.
The first mile up meanders, the second gets you into cow country, and the third becomes switchbacks, carved into the hillside, and despite the towers seeming to be a few hundred yards away, its a nice slog until you actually get there! There is nothing not to like!
If continuing on to Loma Verde (versus walking back down) one would imagine it's all down hill but it actually offers another 500 feet of gain over 5 miles that become a torment. In my underwear article I had a hiking buddy almost fail. The up down up down up down section of the hike is frustrating! It keeps going.
The trail is predominantly single track upwards and fire trail downwards. It is filled with mountain bikers, with whom I have never had a problem. There are no technically challenging parts, just the desire to summit.
