In May of 2019, Marin Water adopted an Amendment to the Mt. Tamalpais Watershed Road and Trail Management Plan (RTMP) for the Restoration of Azalea Hill (Project). This watershed project will:
- Remove approximately 4.4-miles of non-system roads and trails and restore those routes to natural conditions to improve habitat and water quality.
- Adopt and improve a 1.9-mile Class IV road comprised of the existing Liberty Gulch Road (1.2 miles) and convert an existing non-system trail (0.7 miles) to the wider, small vehicle route.
- Improve the hiking and equestrian route over Azalea Hill by correcting erosion and drainage problems along approximately 1.1 miles of existing Class VI trail, rerouting the trail around sensitive plants and adopting 250 feet of an existing non-system trail.
- Treat the Azalea Hill parking lot to correct its erosion problems and improve the visitor amenities. Upon its completion, the project would prevent up to an estimated 219 cubic yards of sediment from entering Azalea Hill’s creeks and Alpine Lake annually, and would restore approximately one acre of habitat.
The Project consolidates use on the two existing routes proposed for upgrades and provides a much-needed connection and safety improvement between the “Lakes” and “Pine Mountain” areas. The district will continue to apply for grants to support the major trail segments as funding solicitations become available.
If your local organization and community group is interested in funding portions of this project, contributions for the project can be made to the Mt. Tamalpais Watershed Fund. Future volunteer opportunities will be available in coordination with major construction phases.