MT. TAM: BOOTJACK TO PACIFIC VIEWS TO MUIR WOODS: TXG WEEKEND
Hike Date: Saturday, November 29, 2025
Hikeleader: Gary Weiss
Hikeleader Email: gary@sfhiking.com
Hikeleader 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.
Carpooling Meeting Times: SF OR Rockridge BART: 9:10 AM, departing shortly afterwards.
Rating: Level 3.5
Mileage: 9ish miles
Elevation Gain: 1500'
Description: If you like redwoods......this is just a crazy beautiful hike. We'll start at the Sierra Trailhead on Panoramic, hike up the only non-system trail of the day - the .3 mile Laguna Creek Trail to Matt Davis Trail. We'll be on Matt Davis all the way to Pantoll Station, where we'll drop down to the Cardiac Hill Pacific overlook (photo below). From there we'll be back in the woods on the way to Van Wyck Meadow (Pop. 3 Stellar Jays). We then head down into the redwoods in the seemingly primeval Bootjack watershed. When we arrive at the bottom - Muir Woods - we'll run into our only crowds of the day, but the majority don't stray very far from the parking lot. We'll then take the Fern Creek Trail from where we begin our ascent on the Sierra Trail. Option to shorten by skipping the Muir Woods portion. Dogs not allowed in the state park portion of the hike. Please carpool if possible - parking is limited.
Bring / Wear: Please bring plenty of water, lunch, sturdy hiking shoes, poles if you use them and sunscreen. And chocolate!
Weather Policy: Check with hikeleader in the event of questionable weather.
Trailhead Meeting Place: Sierra Trail Trailhead, Mill Valley. Exit US 101 at the Stinson Beach/Hwy 1/Mill Valley exit. Turn left at Tam Junction (ARCO) to stay on Hwy 1. You'll eventually get to a split where you'll veer right off of Hwy 1 onto Panoramic Hwy. Shortly you'll come to "4 Corners" where you'll continue straight ahead on the only uphill option. It's 2.7 miles to the trailhead. There are a few pullouts that are used for parking before and after the trailhead. Google Maps Link
Trailhead Meeting Time: 10:00 AM, departing at 10:15.
Total driving distance, there and back: SF: 37 miles; Rockridge 61 miles .
easiest < 5 miles < 500' gain
