Mt. Burdell: frog kingdom

     It was a clear and sunny day in SF, but we went north to Novato to check out Mt. Burdell, after I read a great write-up on Weekend Sherpa. The trail leads over some small creeks and through beautiful green landscapes...but as the link above suggests, DO download a map! We were confused a few times and it really helped out. Halfway up, you already get some great views of the Marin/Novato area.

Handsome man not guaranteed on this hike

Turn around to look up the hill, and you can spot a few of those 'Tim Burton'-esque trees, like this lonely guy:

Continuing the trend of creepy-ness, we then saw this jawbone! Greg refused to bring it with us, so we can't no fore sure...but I'm guessing coyote...

After that smaller summit, we approached a hill with an extremely steep trail (the 'unsigned trail' mentioned in the post), so we decided to skip that and head down to Hidden Lake. On the way there, Greg caught this great panoramic shot of the trail and beautiful surroundings:

Down the road you'll run into Hidden Lake, and you can hear the frogs long before you see the lake. Just keep following that fire road back to the parking area. It was only about a 2 hour hike (probably because we skipped the uphill part), and we both agreed that it was delightful. 

     Although things weren't too strenuous, we were famished, and stopped by the nearby Novato Cafe for brunch while on our way back to SF. Placed oddly enough at the EconoLodge, we took our chances and went in.

Greg was very much pleased with the Monte Cristo, but I was pretty disappointed with the open-faced turkey melt, which seemed like it was something you'd make with whatever was left in the fridge - and didn't satisfy. Although I can say the mixed greens were great, as well as our mimosas. I'd try it again, but wouldn't say this one was a 'must' on your trip up here.