NORTHERN FOOTHILLS OF MT. TAMALPAIS TO PHOENIX LAKE
Hike Date: Saturday, December 16, 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 Times: 9:30 AM from SF, departing shortly afterwards; 9:35 from Rockridge, bottom of escalator.
Rating: Level 3
Mileage: 7 miles
Elevation Gain: 1250'
Description: This is a relatively easy hike, and astonishingly beautiful. I just scouted it a second time, after a light rain, and the moss and the mushrooms were amazing, with Big Leaf Maple leaves covering the ground in places. We'll begin at Deer Park School in Fairfax, going up the Ridge Trail which gradually climbs up - - the ridge - - with increasingly wonderful views of the Bay and eastern Marin. We'll spend a fair amount of the hike around Bald Hill, Shaver Grade and the Yolanda Trail where we'll have killer views (above) of Mt. Tamalpais' East Peak summit. Let's hope for a bit of rain prior to the hike to see the swollen creeks and the moss and mushrooms in all their glory. Well-behaved dogs allowed on leash.
Bring / Wear: Please bring plenty of water, lunch, snacks, sturdy hiking shoes and hiking poles if you use them. And layers. And chocolate!!
Weather Policy: Check with hikeleader in the event of questionable weather.
Trailhead Meeting Place: Exit Hwy 101 at San Anselmo/Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Continue on Sir Francis Drake, bearing left at the Red Hill intersection to stay on Sir Francis Drake for a bit over 6 miles. Once in Fairfax and you've passed the giant Good Earth store, turn left immediately past a tiny gas station on your left, then an immediate right onto Broadway past the theater. Left on Bolinas Rd past the 7-11, then left to stay on Bolinas Rd. In a few hundred feet you'll see Porteous Ave where you turn left. Stay on Porteous to the end where it becomes a dirt road. Park anywhere. We'll meet at the bathrooms.
Google Maps Link
Trailhead Meeting Time: 10:15 AM
Trailhead Departure Time: 10:30 AM
Total driving distance, there and back: 45 miles from SF; 55 from Rockridge.
Passenger Carpool Fees from SF: $8 From Rockridge BART: $9
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 |
