Taylor Made Summit

Hike to the Summit of Taylor Mountain

01.05.2016
North Bay
Dog Friendly, Hikes

Regional parks tend to be mostly frequented by locals living near the park. Taylor Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve near Santa Rosa is worth a visit for anyone in the Bay Area. The prominent Sonoma County landmark has over 1,000 acres and a hiking trail that leads to its 1,400-foot summit. Start at the newly opened Petaluma Hill Road Entrance for this 5-mile (round-trip) hike to the summit of Taylor Mountain. You'll walk through oak woodlands (whose naked branches look awesome this time of year) and cross several creeks before winding up through grasslands. About a mile into the hike you'll come across a mini Stonehenge: dozens of small monuments (cairns) created by stacking rocks. Cows graze nearby as you hoof it up a short steep section that's a thigh burner (there's an alternate route here that's more gradual). The summit offers a grand view of the Santa Rosa Plain, Bennett Valley, Hood Mountain, and the majesty of the North Bay, Mount Saint Helena.

taylormtndog-image-jpeg

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Sponsored

    Chasing Dark Skies: Southern Oregon

    Hot springs, hiking, lodging, antelope, and one of the world’s best places for looking up at night.

    View
  2. Woman with her arms outstretched to the rolling hills scenery while on a rock outcrop at Barnabe Peak in Samuel P Taylor Sate Park in Marin

    Barnabe Bonanza

    Sure, there are higher mountains in Marin (Mount Tam) and easier ascents (Mount Burdell), but is there a more expansive North Bay view? Barnabe Peak in Samuel P. Taylor State Park offers a glorious panorama including Mount Tam, Mount Diablo, and Mount St. Helena.

    View

  3. Tamtastic Sunset

    Sure, the East Peak of Mount Tam is absolutely spectacular at sunset, but some magic-hour enthusiasts head to a nearby spot, Trojan Point, for a little more personal space in their panoramic viewings.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories

  1. Lagoon Swoon

    We all love an underdog story, especially in the shadow of the greats. Enter a truly SoCal coastal version: Malibu Lagoon State Beach. Though situated next to Surfrider Beach, a fa

    View
  2. Woman hiking the San Onofre Bluffs Loop Trail to San Onofre State Beach in San Diego County

    Bluffing Good!

    Lovely coastline, beautiful beaches, unique geological history, and picturesque sandstone cliffs with limited foot traffic in San Diego County? Head to San Onofre State Beach and the 5-mile San Onofre Bluffs Loop Trail.

    View

  3. Tahoe's Trio of Lake Vistas

    They say good things come in threes, and it’s true when you embark on this 8-mile (round-trip) hike in Tahoe’s Desolation Wilderness. It gives you three excellent lake vistas: Eagl

    View