MT. TAMALPAIS: ROCK SPRING MOSSY FOREST HIKE TO PACIFIC OVERLOOK

MT. TAMALPAIS: ROCK SPRING MOSSY FOREST HIKE TO PACIFIC OVERLOOK

Hike Date:  Saturday, March 1, 2025

Leader: Gary Weiss

Leader Email:  gary@sfhiking.com

Leader Phone:  415 279-5570

SF 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.

East Bay Meeting Location: Rockridge BART, bottom of escalator.

Rating:  Level 3+

Mileage: 6.75 miles

Elevation Gain: 1250 ft

Description:  I scouted sections of this route in January - it's a bit of a Mt. Tam sampler.  Early wildflowers were already emerging.  We'll be hiking on several tried-and-true non-system trails that take us from deep forest to high chaparral, and along several raging streams.  We're in the midst of a really early wildflower season after having such a warm January, so I'm hoping we'll get to experience the beginning of Calypso orchid season. 
Beginning at Rock Spring we'll take the Ziesche Creek trail to one of my favorite, and mossiest trails that will take us down to Barth's Retreat.  We'll make our way past Music Camp, then up and over to Mickey O'Brien Trail.  We'll eventually get to the Throne area, past a major plane crash site, then the Calypso Trail to Cataract.  From Cataract Meadow we'll hike up to Ballou Point, a popular place for hang gliders.  The last stop will be to the overlook above O'Rourke's Bench, with views from Mt. Diablo, San Francisco, Stinson Beach, and, if it's clear enough, to the Farallon Islands.  Dogs are permitted on most of the hike.  The final stretch (~3/4 mile) is in the State Park and GGNRA.  Neither allows dogs.  This section can be avoided if you'd like to bring a dog.

Bring/Wear:  Plenty of water, good hiking shoes, lunch, snacks and layers for a winter hike, and poles if you use them.  AND chocolate!

Rain Policy: Contact hikeleader if weather is questionable.

Trailhead Meeting Place:  We'll meet at the Rock Spring parking area (Ridgecrest Blvd @ Pantoll Rd.) - on the north end near the porta-potties. Take the Stinson Beach/Hwy 1 exit off 101. After turning left at the junction (Arco station on the left) continue on Hwy 1 until a fork. The right fork takes you uphill towards Mt. Tamalpais State Park. At the next 4-way junction, take the middle option uphill. Eventually you'll come to a fork opposite the Pantoll Ranger Station parking area. Take the right (uphill) fork. You'll soon come to a large parking area straight ahead.  Google Maps link

Trailhead Meeting Time:  10:00 AM

Trailhead Departure Time: 10:15 AM

Total driving distance, there and back: 54 miles from SF; 63 from Rockridge.

Passenger Carpool Fees from SF:  $8  From Rockridge BART: $11

(I will inform you of carpooling arrangements by late Thursday or early Friday.)