MICHIKO'S MT. TAM HIKE: NORTH SIDE & SIMMONS TRIANGLE
Leader: Michiko Hayakawa (Michiko will be in Japan until just before the hike. Please contact Gary with any questions: 415-279-5570
Leader Email: mhayakawa689@gmail.com (Gary = gary@sfhiking.com)
Leader Phone: 510-364-1431
Meeting Date and Day: Saturday, October 21, 2023
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.
Meeting Time: 9:00 AM
Departure Time: Shortly after 9:00 AM
Rating: Level 3
Mileage: 7 miles
Elevation Gain: 1250'
Description: This is a beautiful hike that includes many of the varied terrains Mt. Tam has to offer. The Simmons Triangle is the area between Simmons, Benstein Trails & Laurel Dell and Rock Spring/Lagunitas Fire Roads. It's filled with several pretty, unofficial trails. On the north side we'll hike along several creeks - even this time of year we should see some water still flowing.
Any elevation gain is gradual.
If the weather is decent we’ll extend the hike with a visit to O'Rourke's Bench, out beyond Rock Spring, for the best view of the City and the Farallons! Dogs are always welcome in the Watershed
Bring/Wear: Bring water, lunch, layers for a spring hike, hat and sunscreen for the sunny portions. Hiking poles would be useful.
Rain Policy: Canceled in the event of heavy rain.
Trailhead Meeting Place: Rock Spring parking lot. From highway 101 in Marin County, take the highway 1 turnoff, and continue uphill until the turnoff to Mt Tamalpais at Panoramic Highway. Continue uphill until Pantoll ranger station, and then continue uphill to the right on Pantoll Road. Rock Spring is at the junction of Pantoll Road and Ridgecrest Blvd. Google Maps link
Trailhead Meeting Time: 10:00 AM
Trailhead Departure Time: 10:15 AM
Total driving mileage to and from San Francisco: 43.5 miles
Car Pool Fees Including Bridge Toll: from SF: $8; from Rockridge: $11
Level-1
|
Level-2
|
Level-3 |
Level-4 |
Level-5 |
|
easiest
< 5 miles
< 500' gain
|
moderately easy
5-7 miles
< 1000' gain |
moderate
7-9 miles
< 1500' gain
|
strenuous
9-12 miles
< 2000' gain
|
very strenuous
12-15+ miles
>2000' gain |
