Hiking at China Camp, Before it Closes due to Budget Cuts

Hiking in Marin is something I always hear people rave about... The wonderful trails that are so easily accessible... The amazing views. I take their word for it. I have tried it many times, but it has yet to be my choice of exercise.

My choice for exercise would be walking around Corte Madera Mall trying on clothes. But with bathing suit season looming around the corner that’s not going to cut it. I have started to feel desperate to shed these 10 winter pounds away. So, I asked my perfectly in shape, fit, bootcamp-bodied momma friend to help with my goal. She suggested a hike. In my desperate state I could not decline. I knew that I would feel good about it once I started. And I did.

The plan was a quick 45 minute loop followed by a quick shopping trip to the farmer’s market at the Marin Civic Center. The dads all started their shifts watching the kids at home, while we took off on our little adventure. The trail we ended up taking just kept wrapping around the hill and heading further and further up the hill. We had no water, no snacks, it was just suppose to be a quick loop, but instead it turned into a 3-hour hike.

There is no place in the world that I can think of where you can get so lost and be so safe. These trails are so well maintained and the bikers traversing these trails could not have been friendlier. I found myself so into the moment and enjoying myself that I forgot that I am not a hiker. I forgot that I don’t like to hike. I was happy out there.

These beautiful trails have been maintained for years, but this was my first time out there since moving to San Rafael. The views from that hike were amazing. I definitely felt something happening to my 10 pounds, but more than that, I felt safe and happy out there.

Then one of the ladies on our walk sadly announced that this was one of those parks that will no longer be maintained next year, due to budget cuts. These trails that we could not get lost on no matter how hard we tried will no longer be maintained. That is so sad.

I would advise all to take a hike and get a little lost on the trails at China Camp before this happens. Definitely bring a bottle of water, and start brainstorming ways to keep places like this thriving during awful financial times. It’s hard to fight for these things when our schools are in such a sad state. I know personally that if there was more money in the budget I would want it all to go to education. But what about places like China Camp?

For now, all I can do is suggest you visit if you have not already done so and suggest you return often while it's still in such a beautiful state.