CRAG OF ICHABOD CRANE: MT. TAMALPAIS
Hike Date: Saturday, January 28, 2023
Leader: Gary Weiss
Leader Email: gary@sfhiking.com
Leader Phone: 415 279-5570
Meeting Location (ONLY IF you've arranged for a ride in SF): Whole Foods;
2001 Market St. @ Dolores (on the Dolores St. side); parking on the street or below.
Please only show up at Whole Foods if you've arranged to meet your ride or driver there.
Meeting Time: 9:00 AM
Departure Time: Shortly after 9:00 AM
Rating: Level 3.5
Mileage: 8++ miles
Elevation Gain: 1600'
Description: So many places on Mt. Tam that you haven't seen! We start out on a trail that has been recently unclosed. It's been at least 8 years since I was able to take people there, and it's now one of my (many) favorite trails on the mountain. It starts above Mountain Theater, and eventually takes us to Ichabod Crane's home, with amazing views north and west to the Pacific:
Ichabod's View
We'll make a very haphazard loop that will take us to Barth's Retreat after briefly passing Music Camp, and then up the rarely used Lincoln Fairley Trail through serpentine and Sargent Cypress forest. The route will be maybe 2/3 in forest and along streams, and 1/3 exposed with breathtaking views.
The reason for the 3.5 rating, not 3 is that a few of the trails are on loose dirt. No acrobatics required, but poles may help in a couple of places if you use them. Dogs are welcome in the watershed!
Bring / Wear: Please bring plenty of water, lunch, snacks, sturdy hiking shoes. And layers. This part of the mountain tends to be cooler than others.
Weather Policy: Check with hikeleader in the event of questionable weather.
Trailhead Meeting Place: We'll meet at the "Quarry Parking Area" just past Mountain Theater and Rock Spring.
Exit Hwy 101 at the Stinson Beach/Hwy 1 exit. At the first big intersection - Tam Junction - keep left at the Arco Station to stay on Hwy 1. After several miles you'll reach an intersection where Hwy 1 continues straight ahead. Keep right instead to get onto Panoramic Hwy. At the first big intersection - 4 Corners - go straight up - not down to the left or right. Stay on Panoramic for another 4+ miles. The road forks at Pantoll Ranger Station - stay right onto Pantoll Rd. After less than a mile you'll get to Rock Spring Parking. Turn right and continue for .4 miles to the Quarry Parking Lot on the right. It's a very large dirt parking lot. Google Maps Link
Trailhead Meeting Time: 10:00 AM
Trailhead Departure Time: 10:15 AM
Total driving distance, there and back: 44 miles
Passenger Carpool Fees from SF: $8 From Rockridge BART: $13
Level-1
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Level-2
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Level-3 |
Level-4 |
Level-5 |
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easiest
< 5 miles
< 500' gain
|
moderately easy
5-7 miles
< 1000' gain |
moderate
7-9 miles
< 1500' gain
|
strenuous
9-12 miles
< 2000' gain
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very strenuous
12-15+ miles
>2000' gain |
