Marin hike: A spectacular hike on Ring Mountain

The Ring Mountain loop is as close as you can get to a perfect springtime hike. The beautiful stretches and spots of wildflowers make it one of Marin’s top wildflower hikes. The views are equally superb — surprisingly so, since the top elevation is a relatively modest 600 feet. Yet the panoramic sweep and the close intimacy provided by the lower elevation make the views particularly enticing. When the views and profuse wildflowers combine — as they do in a few places — it is awesome.

• Summary of the hike...