Quarry Trail – Mount Burdell Open Space

Quarry Trail – Mount Burdell Open Space

Location: Novato, CA
Difficulty: Moderate
Features: Hiking trails, bike friendly, bird watching, dogs allowed, wildlife observation

The Quarry Trail, also known as Old Quarry Trail, is an open grassland filled with sagebrush, monkeyflower, and poison oak. This trail reaches a junction with the Middle Burdell Fire Road at 3.3 miles. Moreover, the Old Quarry Trail connects with the San Carlos Fire Road to the south and Cobblestone Fire Road to the north.

About the Mount Burdell Open Space Preserve

Managed by the Marin County Parks, the Mount Burdell Open Space Preserve houses the 1,500 feet high Mount Burdell and seasonal pond, Hidden Lake. The preserve is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna – with increased population of frogs and salamanders during the wet season. Some portions of the preserve are grazed by domestic cattle. The Mount Burdell Open Space Preserve was purchased in 1977 by the Marin County Open Space District. The preserve boasts the titanic Mount Burdell, standing tall and offers stellar view of the entire Bay Area. En route to the summit, visitors encounter lush grasslands and dense forests filled with the finest and oldest oak and bay tree specimens.

Trails at the Mount Burdell Open Space Preserve

The Mount Burdell Open Space Preserve is home to a number of trails and fire roads. It is also proximate to the Olompali Historic State Park. The preserve is surrounded by fire roads, encircling the entire Mount Burdell area. The San Andreas Fire Road leads to the Deer Camp Fire Road, then to the Cobblestone Fire Road and eventually to the Ridge Fire Road where the Mount Burdell Trail is located. The Michako Trail is a popular trail as it dissects the entire preserve in half. The Old Quarry Trail, meanwhile, is a trail that connects the San Carlos Fire Road with the Ridge Fire Road. All in all, there are plenty of trails surrounding the preserve. A map of the area is highly recommended when hiking within the area.

Top 3 Adventure Hacks

1) Appreciate The History Of The Area

Trails may either be constructed for hiking purposes or may have a story behind it that is worth knowing about. Visit the locality’s website or information center on site to learn about the area.

2) Everything Is Worth A Shot

Bring a camera. Or at least upgraded lenses for your smartphone. You can get both in our outdoor shop. 

3) Keep Gear Organized

Often enough, it is hard getting everything inside your backpack. Organize your gear with a dry sack.