Completed: January 22, 2023 | Elevation: 788′ | Trail: North Ridge Out & Back | Distance: 4.0 miles
We kicked off our Nifty Ninety challenge by hiking to the top of Mount (Caroline) Livermore on Angel Island, something we hadn’t done before. Sunday was a beautiful, clear day and it had been a while since we’d taken the ferry (to anywhere in the Bay Area) so it seemed like the perfect impromptu excursion.
After breakfast we hopped on the scooter and arrived at the Ferry Building with plenty of time to pick up food for the hike and make our way to Terminal B for the 11:10 ferry. Soon we were slicing through the water, views of the Bay Bridge and East Bay on the right, Alcatraz, Marin and the Golden Gate on the left. Forty short minutes later we were docking at Angel Island.
Due to the recent heavy rains, the Sunset Trail was closed; instead of doing a loop as originally planned, we opted for an out and back on the North Ridge Trail, which started to the left of the bathrooms. We walked up the hill, climbed the steps (nothing like starting a hike with a good hit of cardio), crossed the road to connect with the trail and continued our uphill walk through the forest. From here the trail climbed gradually, winding through twisted oak and bay trees, with gorgeous views of Belvedere Island, Tiburon and the Marin Peninsula.
About halfway up, we came to a dirt fire road, and walked left to see the continuation of the North Ridge Trail on the other side. Fallen trees and broken branches lined the side of the trail and occasionally across it, an indication of the damage wrought by the recent storm. Forest gave way to grass and shrubs, and we could see the antenna on top of Mount Livermore in the distance. As we wound our way up the second hill, the East Bay and San Francisco came into view. We walked past a picnic table and the the antenna was right in front of us. It was 12:30 P.M.
On the back side of the antenna was another picnic area where we stopped to enjoy the sweeping vista and snack on our spinach turnovers from Reem’s. Hawks hovered and circled around us, while sailboats maneuvered in the water below. More people started coming up, and when we got up to retrace our steps, tens of people jammed the first picnic area we passed, even sitting on the trail itself. I was grateful that we somehow timed our hike just right to avoid the crowds.
We had hoofed it up to Mount Livermore to ensure we would be back in time to catch the 2:00 P.M. ferry. With more than an hour to spare, we took a more leisurely walk down which allowed us to see some things we had missed on our way up.
Back onboard the ferry, we grabbed seats in the front and enjoyed the ride home, docking at the Ferry Building just before 3:00 P.M. (The return trip took longer because of a stop at Tiburon.)
Follow our progress bagging the Bay Area’s Nifty Ninety here.
Coda
This is a really enjoyable hike with stunning scenery all around. The last time we were here we did the loop trail around the island but didn’t think to go to the top. I’m glad we finally did it.
Additional Info
- Golden Gate Ferry offers 4 departures a day to Angel Island. They all leave from Terminal B which is to the left if you exit the Ferry Building on the water side
- Tickets are USD 9 each way if you pay using your Clipper card, otherwise it’s USD 14. Time to get the Clipper card if you haven’t already.