COLIER SPRING, BELVEDERE ROCK & THE HELIPAD
Hike Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025
Hikeleader: Gary Weiss gary@sfhiking.com 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.
Carpooling Meeting Times: SF OR Rockridge BART: 9:05 AM, departing shortly afterwards.
Rating: Level 3
Mileage: 6.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1100'
Description: This is a really sweet route - with 2 viewpoints that are unmatchable. We'll begin at the Miller Trailhead on East Ridgecrest Blvd. A gradual climb takes us to the Helipad with panoramic 270 degree views east, north and west. We'll descend and pass Rifle Camp where we'll catch the Lower Northside Trail. This we'll take to Colier Spring, a beautiful and peaceful spot among old-growth redwoods. We'll continue up to our starting point, and an option to leave early. The plan is to go another couple of miles on the Midget (or Over-Under) Trail, if you prefer, to Belvedere Rock where the above photo was taken. We'll then take Lakeview Trail back to the cars. Dogs are permitted.
Bring / Wear: Please bring water, lunch, sturdy hiking shoes, poles if you use them and LAYERS. (We'll be on the north side of the mountain the entire time - the temperature can be 10 degrees cooler). And chocolate!
Weather Policy: Check with hikeleader in the event of questionable weather.
Trailhead Meeting Place: We'll meet at the Miller Trailhead on East Ridgecrest Blvd. Whichever direction you're coming from, follow signs to Mt. Tamalpais. Once you're on Panoramic Hwy, stay until you see Pantoll Campground on the left. From there take a right on Pantoll Road. When you get to Rock Spring Parking Lot, turn right. Ignore the fact that at one point you'll be heading back down. The parking area will be at the bottom of that dip in the road. Google Maps Link
Trailhead Meeting Time: 10:15 AM, departing at 10:30 AM.
Total driving distance, there and back: SF: 37 miles; Rockridge 61 miles .
Passenger Carpool Fees (SF): $9; (Rockridge): $11
(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
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strenuous
9-12 miles
< 2000' gain
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very strenuous
12-15+ miles
>2000' gain |
