MT. TAM: STEEP RAVINE & DIPSEA TRAILS
Hike Date: Saturday, October 26, 2024
Leader: Gary Weiss
Leader Email: gary@sfhiking.com
Leader Phone: 415 279-5570
Meeting Location: 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: 9:00 AM from SF, departing shortly afterwards; 8:50 from Rockridge, bottom of escalator.
Rating: Level 3.5
Mileage: 7 miles
Elevation Gain: 1500'
Description: Steep Ravine Trail is among the most loved trails in the Bay Area. Huge redwood stands, Webb Creek, which runs 12 months per year, and the famous ladder, pictured above. The trail rises steadily and steeply, at times, until Pantoll Ranger Station. From there we'll be on Alpine, Bootjack and TCC trails before arriving at Cardiac Hill (without having had to do the heavy lifting to get there). From Cardiac Hill we'll have views of everything from Mt. Diablo to the Farallon Islands (weather permitting). Going back down Dipsea Trail from there involves descending several hundred steps through the most magical forest. The hike is not long, but the elevation change will give you a good workout - and make you appreciate that you live here! Unfortunately dogs are not permitted in state parks.
View from Cardiac Hill (not a steep climb!):
Bring / Wear: Please bring plenty of water, lunch, snacks, sturdy hiking shoes and hiking poles if you use them (steep downhill at the end). And chocolate!
Weather Policy: Check with hikeleader in the event of questionable weather.
Trailhead Meeting Place: We'll meet at Whitegate Ranch Trailhead - about 1/3 of the way up between Stinson Beach and Pantoll Station. Take the Stinson Beach/Mill Valley/Hwy 1 exit off Hwy 101. Continue on Hwy 1 for several miles. At a fork in the road keep right (Panoramic Hwy). Shortly you'll come to Four Corners. Stay straight to take the middle (uphill) option to stay on Panoramic. When you arrive at another fork: Pantoll Station, stay straight to head downhill. Whitegate Ranch Trailhead is a large dirt pullout on the left, 2.4 miles past Pantoll. Google Maps Link
Trailhead Meeting Time: 10:00 AM
Trailhead Departure Time: 10:15 AM
Total driving distance, there and back: 44 miles from SF; 71 from Rockridge.
Passenger Carpool Fees from SF: $8 From Rockridge BART: $12
(I will inform you of carpooling arrangements by late Thursday or early Friday.)
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
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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 |
