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Kirby Cove Beach

Kirby Cove Beach is at the base of the Marin Headlands north of the entrance to San Francisco Bay. The view from the beach is stunning with the city of San Francisco framed under the wide span of the Golden Gate Bridge. The steep, mile-long trail to the cove begins at the parking area above Battery Spencer on Conzelman Road—eye-level with the bridge’s towers—and descends through a grove of cypress, eucalyptus, and pine.

Kirby Cove Beach II

Kirby Cove Beach is at the base of the Marin Headlands north of the entrance to San Francisco Bay. The view from the beach is stunning with the city of San Francisco framed under the wide span of the Golden Gate Bridge. The steep, mile-long trail to the cove begins at the parking area above Battery Spencer on Conzelman Road—eye-level with the bridge’s towers—and descends through a grove of cypress, eucalyptus, and pine.

Carnelian Treasure III

Winter at Mono Lake III

Winter is a particularly beautiful time at Mono Lake. The crowds are gone, a quiet stillness prevails, and snow crystals sparkle on the tufa towers. Mono Lake is a majestic body of water in California covering about 65 square miles. It is an ancient lake, over 1 million years old -- one of the oldest lakes in North America. Many columns of limestone rise above the surface of Mono Lake. This type of limestone rock is referred to as tufa, which is a term used for limestone that forms in low to moderate temperatures.

Still Standing III

Winter is a particularly beautiful time at Mono Lake. The crowds are gone, a quiet stillness prevails, and snow crystals sparkle on the tufa towers. Mono Lake is a majestic body of water in California covering about 65 square miles. It is an ancient lake, over 1 million years old -- one of the oldest lakes in North America. Many columns of limestone rise above the surface of Mono Lake. This type of limestone rock is referred to as tufa, which is a term used for limestone that forms in low to moderate temperatures.

Golden Puddle II

San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge opened on May 27 1937, instantly becoming a much-loved symbol of the city and an iconic piece of architecture around the world. The suspension bridge spans the Golden Gate, the one-mile-wide (1.6 km) strait connecting San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. The structure links the American city of San Francisco, California – the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula – to Marin County, carrying both U.S. Route 101 and California State Route 1 across the strait. The bridge is one of the most internationally recognized symbols of San Francisco, California, and the United States. It has been declared one of the Wonders of the Modern World by the American Society of Civil Engineers. The San Francisco Bay, reached via the Golden Gate Strait, was missed for 227 consecutive years by passing Spanish ships. It was finally discovered in 1769, when bored hunters passed overland and found the bay; three years later, at last, the strait was spotted from present-day Oakland.

Truckee

Truckee, California is a town with deep roots in the ways of the Old West with the soul of an active, adventure-driven modern mountain town. The Truckee area boasts access to the five world class ski resorts of Northstar California, Sugar Bowl, Donner Ski Ranch, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, and Boreal Mountain. Transportation has long been a part of the town’s identity—the Emigrant Trail, the railroad, and now many forms of transportation play a role in everyday activities—mountain bikes, kayaks and rafts, skis—downhill and Nordic… .

Winter Tufa II

Winter is a particularly beautiful time at Mono Lake. The crowds are gone, a quiet stillness prevails, and snow crystals sparkle on the tufa towers. Mono Lake is a majestic body of water in California covering about 65 square miles. It is an ancient lake, over 1 million years old -- one of the oldest lakes in North America. Many columns of limestone rise above the surface of Mono Lake. This type of limestone rock is referred to as tufa, which is a term used for limestone that forms in low to moderate temperatures.

Donner Lake II

Donner Lake is a freshwater lake in Northeast California on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada and about 20 miles northwest of the much larger Lake Tahoe. The lake is located in the town of Truckee, between Interstate 80 to the north and Schallenberger Ridge to the south. Summer activities include: camping, picnicking, boating, fishing, water-skiing, wind-surfing, hiking, and mountain biking. Winter activities include cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Donner Lake holds some of the biggest lake trout in the state.

Donner Lake

Donner Lake is a freshwater lake in Northeast California on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada and about 20 miles northwest of the much larger Lake Tahoe. The lake is located in the town of Truckee, between Interstate 80 to the north and Schallenberger Ridge to the south. Summer activities include: camping, picnicking, boating, fishing, water-skiing, wind-surfing, hiking, and mountain biking. Winter activities include cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Donner Lake holds some of the biggest lake trout in the state.

Winter at Mono Lake

Winter is a particularly beautiful time at Mono Lake. The crowds are gone, a quiet stillness prevails, and snow crystals sparkle on the tufa towers. Mono Lake is a majestic body of water in California covering about 65 square miles. It is an ancient lake, over 1 million years old -- one of the oldest lakes in North America. Many columns of limestone rise above the surface of Mono Lake. This type of limestone rock is referred to as tufa, which is a term used for limestone that forms in low to moderate temperatures.

Winter Tufa

Winter is a particularly beautiful time at Mono Lake. The crowds are gone, a quiet stillness prevails, and snow crystals sparkle on the tufa towers. Mono Lake is a majestic body of water in California covering about 65 square miles. It is an ancient lake, over 1 million years old -- one of the oldest lakes in North America. Many columns of limestone rise above the surface of Mono Lake. This type of limestone rock is referred to as tufa, which is a term used for limestone that forms in low to moderate temperatures.

Still Standing II

Winter is a particularly beautiful time at Mono Lake. The crowds are gone, a quiet stillness prevails, and snow crystals sparkle on the tufa towers. Mono Lake is a majestic body of water in California covering about 65 square miles. It is an ancient lake, over 1 million years old -- one of the oldest lakes in North America. Many columns of limestone rise above the surface of Mono Lake. This type of limestone rock is referred to as tufa, which is a term used for limestone that forms in low to moderate temperatures.

Still Standing

Winter is a particularly beautiful time at Mono Lake. The crowds are gone, a quiet stillness prevails, and snow crystals sparkle on the tufa towers. Mono Lake is a majestic body of water in California covering about 65 square miles. It is an ancient lake, over 1 million years old -- one of the oldest lakes in North America. Many columns of limestone rise above the surface of Mono Lake. This type of limestone rock is referred to as tufa, which is a term used for limestone that forms in low to moderate temperatures.

Martis Creek

Recognized as an official Wildlife Viewing Area, Martis Creek Basin near Truckee, California hosts a diversity of ecological zones including meadow, riparian, and pine forest. Wildlife inhabitants range from deer and beaver to a variety of meadow and forest dwelling birds. Northstar dominates the view to the south with its long ski runs while an even more dramatic vista lies westward, encompassing the Sierra Crest and Castle Peak.

Winter Rush

Although Jeffrey Pine trees are the most common trees found in the Lake Tahoe Basin, that fact doesn’t diminish their regal beauty and dignified stature. One reason for their abundance is their resilient nature in the face of adversity. These coniferous evergreens can live for 400-500 years and are tolerant of many stressors such as drought, fire, poor soil, altitude, heavy snow loads, and shifts in temperature from one end of the spectrum to the other. Of all the trees, Jeffrey Pines exemplify best the hearty soul required to thrive in Lake Tahoe’s arduous landscape and climate.

Set at Rodeo X

Sunset on Rodeo Beach, located in the Fort Cronkhite area of the Marin Headlands, one of the most special places in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area with access to multiple trails, fantastic views, a dog-friendly beach, fascinating geology, and an interesting history. As a pocket beach, Rodeo Beach sands do not migrate up or down the coast. Instead, they are carried a short distance offshore in winter, tumble about in the surf, and then return to replenish the beach in the spring and summer. Thus, the sands of Rodeo Beach are native to the Marin Headlands and reflect the Franciscan geology of the closest hills and cliffs. This earthcache focuses on the abundant radiolarian chert and rare carnelian pebbles.

Millennia II

The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest is a protected area high in the White Mountains in Inyo County in eastern California. Protected within the Inyo National Forest, the Bristlecone Pine Forest is home to the oldest trees in the world, bristlecone pines. The bristlecone pine trees grow between 9,800 and 11,000 feet above sea level, in xeric alpine conditions. Some of these living trees exceed 4000 years of age and exhibit spectacular growth forms of twisted and beautifully colored wood.

Golden Puddle

San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge opened on May 27 1937, instantly becoming a much-loved symbol of the city and an iconic piece of architecture around the world. The suspension bridge spans the Golden Gate, the one-mile-wide (1.6 km) strait connecting San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. The structure links the American city of San Francisco, California – the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula – to Marin County, carrying both U.S. Route 101 and California State Route 1 across the strait. The bridge is one of the most internationally recognized symbols of San Francisco, California, and the United States. It has been declared one of the Wonders of the Modern World by the American Society of Civil Engineers. The San Francisco Bay, reached via the Golden Gate Strait, was missed for 227 consecutive years by passing Spanish ships. It was finally discovered in 1769, when bored hunters passed overland and found the bay; three years later, at last, the strait was spotted from present-day Oakland.

Tamalpais

Mount Tamalpais is a peak in Marin County, California, United States, often considered symbolic of Marin County. Much of Mount Tamalpais is protected within public lands such as Mount Tamalpais State Park, the Marin Municipal Water District watershed, and National Park Service land, such as Muir Woods.

Pacific Seascape

The Marin Headlands is a hilly peninsula at the southernmost end of Marin County, California, United States, located just north of San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge, which connects the two counties and peninsulas. The Marin Headlands were home to the Native American Coastal Miwok tribe, who moved between the bay side of the peninsula and the ocean side seasonally, for thousands of years. The entire area is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The Headlands are famous for their views of the Bay Area, especially of the Golden Gate Bridge. In the waters surrounding the Headlands, harbor seals can be found year-round, gray whales can be seen in the spring and fall, and seabirds such as common murres and surf scoters swim within sight of shore.

Headlands Sunset

The Marin Headlands is a hilly peninsula at the southernmost end of Marin County, California, United States, located just north of San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge, which connects the two counties and peninsulas. The Marin Headlands were home to the Native American Coastal Miwok tribe, who moved between the bay side of the peninsula and the ocean side seasonally, for thousands of years. The entire area is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The Headlands are famous for their views of the Bay Area, especially of the Golden Gate Bridge. In the waters surrounding the Headlands, harbor seals can be found year-round, gray whales can be seen in the spring and fall, and seabirds such as common murres and surf scoters swim within sight of shore.

Nadir III

Sunset on Rodeo Beach, located in the Fort Cronkhite area of the Marin Headlands, one of the most special places in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area with access to multiple trails, fantastic views, a dog-friendly beach, fascinating geology, and an interesting history. As a pocket beach, Rodeo Beach sands do not migrate up or down the coast. Instead, they are carried a short distance offshore in winter, tumble about in the surf, and then return to replenish the beach in the spring and summer. Thus, the sands of Rodeo Beach are native to the Marin Headlands and reflect the Franciscan geology of the closest hills and cliffs. This earthcache focuses on the abundant radiolarian chert and rare carnelian pebbles.