Leader: Gary Weiss
Leader Email: garysfx@gmail.com
Leader Phone: 415-279-5570
Meeting TIME & PLACE: Saturday, September 15, 2018. 8:30 AM under the Safeway sign at Market & Dolores. Depart 8:45.
Rating Level-4
Mileage: 11 miles
Elevation Gain: 2000'
Description: This hike route takes us to the tops of both West and East Peaks, and alongside Middle Peak. We'll be deep in the redwoods, on peaks with 360 degree views and every type of terrain that exists on Mt. Tam. We start at the Air Force Station 666 - better known as the giant golf ball. You can access the small parking areas by taking the "West Peak Turnoff" of East Ridgecrest Blvd.
We start out by descending along a series of unofficial trails on the north side of the mountain, eventually taking us to the West Fork of Lagunitas Creek. We'll then head west crossing over to another watershed. In total we will drop about halfway down towards Alpine Lake before beginning a more gradual ascent through a beautiful riparian area. After reaching the summit we'll drop a bit down the south side of the mountain. We'll go on the mostly level Rock Spring Trail, passing above Mountain Theater before beginning our final ascent to West Peak and the cars. The majority of the hike will be in the shade, with areas of sun periodically. If it's unusually warm, we can skip parts of the last section.
If you use hiking poles you may want to bring them along. In the beginning of the hike there are some "loose" trail sections as we descend through the redwoods.
Bring / Wear: Bring LOTS of water, lunch, sunscreen and sturdy hiking shoes.
Rain Policy: Heavy rain may shorten the event.
Driving Distance: 46 miles total, there and back
Total of Bridge Tolls and Entry Fees: $7.00
Carpooling Cost: $8.00
Alternate Meeting Place #1: If you'd like to meet us at the trailhead , it's 1.2 miles from Rock Spring parking lot, heading to the right. Facing you on the left side will be a large wood sign, and the area is mostly surrounded by chain-link fencing. There are a handful of spots there, and others before and after, on both sides. https://www.google.com/maps/dir/2020+Market+Street,+San+Francisco,+CA/Habitat+Restoration:+MT.+Tamalpais+West+Peak+Gate+Glory,+Westpeak+Turnoff,+Mill+Valley,+CA+94941/@37.8570294,-122.5941632,11z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x808f7e1e329b437d:0xf9b56566bbf7a57f!2m2!1d-122.4279658!2d37.7688946!1m5!1m1!1s0x80859114351ec801:0x53840a8028e6ef7!2m2!1d-122.6007378!2d37.9229492!3e0
Alternate Meeting Time #1: We should meet around 9:45 AM. We'll depart at 10. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU PLAN ON MEETING US THERE.