Trail Information
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Condition Reports
This page is a compilation of reports on conditions and maintenance needs of Mount Tamalpais trails. The TCC’s Trails Committee maintains this page as a service to hikers, and for use in planning future trail maintenance projects.
We rely upon you, the users of the mountain’s trails, to provide information on trail conditions. There are well over 100 miles of hiking trails on the mountain. We cannot be everywhere at once. Please take the time to send us any information you do not see already posted on this page. We would appreciate reports of any maintenance needs you see, and also reports of any trails you find to be in good condition. Our goal is to provide comprehensive information on all trails. Scroll down this page to see the list of reports.
The area covered is generally the same as included in Barry Spitz’ book, Tamalpais Trails. This area is bounded by Highway 1 through Green Gulch to the southeast, and by Bolinas-Fairfax Rd. and Audubon Canyon Ranch to the northwest. This page also covers a small part of the Pine Mountain area.
To submit a report, please click here and fill out the form. To make any other comments, please send e-mail to Chris Valle-Riestra. Alternatively, you can telephone Chris Valle-Riestra at (510) 891-0621, or mail a report to him at 725 Washington St., Suite 301, Oakland, Calif. 94607. Thank you for your help!
Chris Valle-Riestra and Larry Nilsen, co-chairmen, Trails Committee
Alice Eastwood Trail (MMWD)
7/20/00, CVR: The MMWD has abandoned this trail, although it is not signed as closed. It is moderately to heavily overgrown. Short sections are extremely steep. Much of the trail has eroded into a deep ditch.
Arturo Trail (MMWD)
9/5/01, CVR: The TCC and the MMWD have rehabilitated much of this trail in recent years. In August 2001, the TCC and the MMWD completed a reroute of the lowermost section of the trail, near Rifle Camp, begun as the annual Youth Day project in September 2000. A very short section of the trail at the West Peak end is very steep, and would benefit from tread improvement and improvement of water bars. The West Peak end of the trail is poorly signed.
Azalea Meadow Trail (MMWD)
5/23/03, Roger Diehnel: This trail is becoming overgrown.
Bald Hill Trail (MMWD)
Boy Scout Junction to connector road to Five Corners:
Connector road to Five Corners to Six Points: 7/21/00, CVR: This section is in good to excellent condition, having been rehabilitated as the 1999 National Trails Day project and through other projects. The only significant work still needed is minor tread improvements on short pieces of the trail.
Benstein Spur (MMWD)
8/7/04, CVR: The TCC recently worked on this trail and installed water bars in 2000. By now, the water bars need cleaning out and reworking. One rocky drainage area behind a water bar near the intersection with Benstein Trail could use improvement. Vegetation needs a little trimming.
Benstein Trail (MMWD) Trail adopted by the Tamalpais Conservation Club
From Simmons Trail to Rock Spring-Lagunitas Fire Road: 8/7/04, CVR: This trail segment is in good condition, except that the vegetation needs a little trimming. The MMWD and the TCC completed a major reroute near the top of this section in December 2000, and have rehabilitated other parts of this section of the trail. One water bar near the center of this segment needs cleaning. Perhaps two or three more water bars could be added near Rock Spring-Lagunitas Fire Road.
From Rock Spring-Lagunitas Fire Road to Potrero Meadow: 10/14/01, CVR: About the top half of this segment of trail is mostly in good condition. As the grade steepens, a series of timber water bars has mostly failed. The trail is suffering a moderate amount of erosion. The steepest part of this section should be rerouted, which would be easy through open forest. The bottom part of the trail, through serpentine soil, is in fairly poor condition. The parts that run through chaparral are moderately brushy. A short series of switchbacks is poorly laid out and eroding. The TCC trail crew has recently made improvements, putting the very bottom of this trail segment into decent condition, but much remains to be done. The final short section, across Laurel Dell Fire Road to Potrero Meadows Picnic Area, is somewhat eroded.
Berry Trail (MMWD)
Upper Section: 10/9/01, CVR: Just below Rifle Camp, the start of this section of trail is not on a bad alignment, but is undrained and is ditching. Drainage improvements are needed. The rails on Ted Cooper’s Bridge are wobbly. There is a confusing maze of paths at the lateral to Cross County Boys Trail. The signs in this area, too, are confusing. The Berry Trail (or the Cross Country Boys Trail or both) north of Lagoon Fire Road is moderately to heavily overgrown, and ditched in sections. The sign at the northerly junction with the Rock Spring-Lagunitas Fire Road should be updated–the notation “To Lower North Side Tr.” points across the road to the old Rocky Ridge Fire Trail, when it should point right toward the new beginning of the Lower North Side Trail.
Middle Section: 10/9/01, CVR: The middle portion of the old trail, lying mostly on the east side of the Rock Spring-Lagunitas Fire Road, is extremely heavily overgrown, probably impassable or nearly so. It is overlain by pipes leading to the old Air Force station at West Peak, and paralleled by a pole line. From what one can see, parts of this route are deeply ditched. In the long term, this might make an attractive rehabilitation project, but the first step would have to be to remove the pipes and, preferably, the poles.
Lower Section: 1/29/01, CVR: This trail is in pretty good shape, considering the steepness of most of the route. The MMWD has installed many water bars. Some of these need cleaning. The MMWD has also put in a number of well-built steps, and has rerouted the very bottom of the trail, nearing the intersection with the Bon Tempe Trail. The steeper parts of the route are showing a little erosion, but not to a severe degree. Probably little can be done about this. The trail is very old and receives rather heavy traffic, so the path has worn wide and is incised into the hillside in many places.
Bon Tempe Trail (MMWD)
Shadyside: 1/29/01, CVR: This route is in reasonably good condition. However, the heavy traffic that this trail receives presents some maintenance challenges. In places, the tread has migrated down the hillside, and needs to be rebuilt. In places, tree roots should be cut out. Some of the steps need to be better backfilled, as they trap muddy pools in winter. Some of the water bars need to be cleaned and improved.
Sunnyside: 5/20/01, CVR: This route is in reasonably good condition.
Bootjack Trail (MTSP)
Muir Woods to Van Wyck Meadow: 6/8/03, CVR & Bill K.: Several short sections are in need of tread repair, notably the first switchback where the trail steepens above Muir Woods, which suffered damage several years ago when a tree rooted in the edge of the trail fell. A few timber steps at this point would probably be the best solution. Just below Van Wyck Meadow, several of the timber steps are very loose and prone to slipping out of place underfoot.
Van Wyck Meadow to Bootjack Picnic Area: 12/19/02, Bill Stevens & CVR: This section is mostly in good condition, much of it having been extensively rehabilitated by a California Conservation Corps crew in late 1999 and early 2000. However, water bars need cleaning, a few of the water bars remain in need of improvement, and short sections of the tread need leveling. Some of the slash should be better disposed of.
Bootjack Picnic Area to Mountain Theater: 7/21/00, CVR: This section is mostly in good condition, having been extensively rebuilt over the past several years by various volunteer groups under the direction of Gary Bischof.
Buckeye Trail (MMWD)
1/3/01, CVR: This trail is mostly in good condition, though it is narrow and has short steep spots.
Casey Cutoff (MMWD)
10/14/00, CVR: The MMWD has closed and obliterated this trail. Please do not use this route.
Cataract Trail (MMWD)
3/8/04, CVR: This extremely popular trail has suffered excessive wear in many places from heavy foot traffic. The MMWD has been rehabilitating the entire trail, in stages, which is improving matters. The entire length of the trail is mostly clear of brush and obstructing limbs. Starting a short distance below Rock Spring, the MMWD relocated a section of the trail to the south side of the creek, and did the same with another section approaching the connector trail south to Laurel Dell Fire Road. Some of the portions of the trail that have not been rerouted are in need of rehabilitation, as traffic has worn a wide path that strays from the original location of the trail and bypasses original low retaining walls and gully crossings. The next trail section, approaching Laurel Dell Picnic Area, was relocated in 1999 out of the meadow. Some may consider the new trail’s close proximity to the restrooms unpleasant. Reconstruction of the bottom section, below Laurel Dell Picnic Area, all the way to Bolinas-Fairfax Rd., has been completed by a contractor for the MMWD. This includes long flights of steps. The MMWD added a short spur trail down to Cataract Creek. The job included repairing or constructing many flights of steps, and building tie walls. The topmost switchback turn along this segment below the curved bridge remains very steep and would benefit from the installation of additional steps.
Coastal Trail (MTSP, GGNRA)
5/26/07, Bill Stevens: Past Willow Camp Fire Road, the trail is lightly used and needs lots of work. The tread is narrow and the trail overgrown. All but one or two wood water bars are plugged. In places, the tread is eroded into a trough. The worst section is from Willow Camp Fire Road north through the wooded area with the bridge. In some places, hikers have bypassed fallen trees blocking the original trail. On one tree, a small chain saw would be helpful. The rest could be handled with loppers and a pruning saw. The continuation on GGNRA land north to Bolinas-Fairfax Road also needs work.
Colier Trail (MMWD)
Lagunitas Southside Road to Colier Spring: 10/9/01, CVR: This is a steep trail, by any standard. Much of it could be considered hazardous to take in the downhill direction. The trail requires only light trimming of vegetation along its entire length. At Lake Lagunitas, it begins gently for a short distance. This section could use some very minor tread repairs. Just above the second creek crossing, an important drainage dip will need improvement if it is going to last. Where the creek forks, the trail ascends the left branch for a short distance, then crosses, whereupon it precipitously climbs the ridge separating the forks, thus showing the trail’s true character for the first time. This climb appears quite vulnerable to erosion. After the trail tops the divide and crosses to the right branch of the drainage, the grade moderates somewhat.
As one reaches the watercourse, the trail, having to this point followed an old skid road, suddenly becomes very narrow, precarious, and rocky, and ascends the left bank very steeply. As one continues for perhaps .2 mile, the grade gradually lessens a bit. The location of a creekbed crossing is ambiguous. The old skid road soon becomes evident again, but after only a short distance disappears once more, apparently for good. The trail continues climbing at a similar pace, aided by a few small switchbacks. The appearance of large, old-growth redwoods signals the apparent limit of old logging operations. The grade then becomes gentle, and Colier Spring is soon reached.
The sections of the trail following the old skid road are, for the most part, outsloped and not displaying serious erosion problems. The other sections are very narrow, but for the most part on firm ground and not subject to any substantial erosion. The initial question must be if the Colier Trail should be improved to a more comfortable standard. This would be an enormous project, because the existing route is so steep. It would probably be better to leave the trail essentially as it is, a very challenging route. In that event, only minor tread repairs should be undertaken, to improve footing at the most difficult points. Large-scale widening or smoothing would be a great mistake, because it would necessarily disturb a stable trail tread, making the surface slippery and promoting erosion.
Colier Spring to Ridgecrest Blvd.: 10/9/01, CVR: The trail begins by climbing a drainage bottom. Parts of this section are, naturally, gathering water. Short of a reroute, a few water bars should be installed. The trail then turns right to begin a series of switchbacks. The trail is narrow, but this aids in preventing erosion on the steep climb. Very minor repairs would be beneficial. The vegetation needs only light trimming. Nearer the top of the trail, work by the TCC on Oct. 6 has left stumps that should be removed. The TCC crew installed a number of water bars here.
Cross Country Boys Trail (MMWD)
5/28/03, CVR: The part of this trail south of Kent Trail, at least, is somewhat overgrown although still easily passable.
Dias Ridge Trail (MTSP & GGNRA)
3/30/06, Dhananjay Naniwadekar & CVR: Much of this trail is suffering from a severe soil erosion problem, stemming from the fact that it is an old fire road laid out with no drainage features. State park ranger Tom Frazier reports that the national and state park administrations are in the process of addressing the issues. They plan to reroute the road in areas, to address the poor drainage, to narrow the tread to 48 to 60 inches, to deconstruct the old road where the drainage is especially poor, and to have the trail ultimately link up with the Coastal Trail. This plan is still in its infancy.
Dipsea Trail
Old Mill Park to Panoramic Highway (Town of Mill Valley):
Panoramic Highway to Muir Woods (MTSP and NPS):
Muir Woods to Coastal Fire Road (MTSP and NPS):
Coastal Fire Road to Steep Ravine (MTSP): 9/5/01, CVR: This section is mostly in good condition. Parts would benefit from minor brushing. Some of the steps need to be cleared of soil, and in places measures need to be taken to stop runners from bypassing steps by traveling along the edge of the trail.
Steep Ravine to Stinson Beach (MTSP and NPS): 10/9/01, CVR: The TCC has recently done some work on the section of trail rising from Steep Ravine to the fire road that branches off Panoramic Highway. This could use a little more brushing and some minor tread repairs. A length of pipeline in the trail rising from the dam in Steep Ravine should be buried. The National Park Service has recently rebuilt the last bit of trail from Panoramic Highway to Highway 1, but it remains closed as of this writing.
East Peak Fire Trail (MMWD)
7/21/00, CVR: The MMWD has abandoned this trail, although it is not signed as closed. Much of it is heavily overgrown, although it apparently has its fans who keep it minimally passable. Sections are very steep.
Easter Lily Trail (MMWD)
10/2/03, CVR: This spur off the Temelpa Trail is an attractive route for ascending to Hoo-Koo-E-Koo Road and Wheeler Trail. Much of the route was moderately brushy, until unknown persons pretty thoroughly brushed it out in the early months of 2003. The job could have been done more neatly, however, so quite a few stumps and snags should still be removed. The tread is in need of only minor repairs, and follows a gentle grade except right at the intersection with Hoo-Koo-E-Koo Road.
Easy Grade Trail (MTSP)
12/19/01, CVR: The upper part of this trail is generally in good condition. Some of the rock water bars need repairs. Gary Bischof began a project to line an inside ditch with rock, at the stream crossing a short distance below Mountain Theater. This project has not yet been completed, although the inside ditch is functioning reasonably well in its present condition. Parts of the lower end of the trail, particularly below the Riding and Hiking Trail, are having moderate erosion problems from runoff, and need additional water bars. The Easy Grade Spur (left and down to Old Stage Road) is comparable to the main trail, and is showing no significant problems.
Fern Canyon Trail (MTSP)
2/17/02, Bob Muller: The long bridge over Fern Creek (at the bottom of the Lost Trail) recently came down. The trail from the bridge to Camp Alice Eastwood is closed.
Fern Creek Trail (MTSP and MMWD)
3/24/07, CVR: In early 2002, TCC volunteers completed brushing and minor tread repairs along the uppermost short section, from the East Peak parking lot down to Old Railroad Grade (the paved section that formerly carried uphill automobile traffic). However, by now, this section is again moderately in need of brushing. This is the only part of the trail under the jurisdiction of Mount Tamalpais State Park.
The section descending from Old Railroad Grade to Tavern Pump has received considerable attention from MMWD staff and the TCC trail crew in recent years, including the installation of numerous water bars, and a few new steps, notably a set at the first switchback turn as one descends. The overall condition is much better than in years past. Much of this section is again moderately in need of brushing. All water bars need cleaning. One or two are now sitting too high, and should be reset. A couple of the steps on the upper lumber staircase are broken (again). The angle bracket mounting method doesn’t seem to be strong enough. The trail is fairly steep, and parts of it are eroded, with poor footing. These sections should be rehabilitated.
The leg below the second switchback, approaching Tavern Pump, is underlain by a water pipe, long sections of which have become exposed. This pipeline should be reburied, and additional drainage improvements made to the trail.
As of 2002, the first few hundred feet of the leg below Tavern Pump were already in good condition. Under contract with the MMWD, the Marin Conservation Corps. made major repairs in the spring of 2002 to the lowermost steep section, dropping to Old Railroad Grade, installing numerous steps and tie walls.
Heather Cutoff (MTSP)
9/5/01, CVR: State park maintenance staff have recently rehabilitated about the top third of this trail, using a power trail cat. They have begun work on the bottom section, starting at Santos Meadow. In August 2001, the TCC trail crew spent a day rehabilitating part of the middle section of the trail. We hope that these efforts will result in the repair of the full trail. At present, parts of the trail remain moderately to heavily overgrown, many water bars are clogged, and parts of the trail are seriously rutted.
Helen Markt Trail (MMWD)
3/20/06, CVR: As of 9/11/00, the trail was generally in good condition. There were a few short excessively steep sections, and in some areas the tread could use widening. More recently, there was a report that a major landslide destroyed a section of the trail, where it crossed a steep hillside, and that it was possible to get across the slide only by a precarious route. Within the past three years, the MMWD replaced the old bridge over Swede George Creek, which was sagging.
Hidden Meadow Trail (MMWD)
1/3/01, CVR: The MMWD has recently performed major work on this trail, including a reroute of the lower section, through and below the meadow. Most of the trail is now in good condition. The MMWD is continuing work on the uppermost section, using court-referred workers performing community service to work off misdemeanor fines. Further drainage improvements, including backfilling recently installed steps, are needed.
High Marsh Trail (MMWD)
3/8/04, Pat Anderson & CVR: Much of this trail is in fair to good condition. However, there are a few moderately to very brushy sections, notably to the north of High Marsh, including a long section from Music Stand Trail over the top of the next ridge south. Much of the rest of the trail needs light trimming. There are a few very short excessively steep and eroded sections. The edge of the trail, in many sections, appears to be breaking down more than in years past, probably due to increased traffic. This should be addressed through very minor widening of the affected sections. The short connector trail to Laurel Dell Fire Road is in reasonably good condition.
Hoo-Koo-E-Koo Trail (MMWD)
West section: 6/20/05, Jonathan Fouche, CVR: Within the past few days, a slide has taken out a short piece of the trail very close to the intersection of the Matt Davis Tr., temporarily closing this section of trail. Otherwise, the tread is in good condition. Much of the route is moderately in need of brushing.
East section:
Indian Fire Trail (MMWD)
7/20/00, CVR: The MMWD has has closed this former trail to all use, to prevent further erosion. Please do not use this route. The short spur from Verna Dunshee Trail to North Knee remains open. (See North Knee Trail.)
International Trail (MMWD)
10/7/02, CVR: The TCC trail crew and the MMWD rehabilitated much of this between August of 2001 and the spring of 2002. Many water bars and three flights of steps have been installed, and brush trimmed. A short reroute has been completed where the trail crosses a low ridge about halfway along the trail’s length. At the junction with Upper North Side Trail, for a short distance the trail had eroded into a deep ditch in serpentine soil. The TCC has mostly, but not quite, completed a project to build several steps here. The trail requires further brushing for its full length, intermittent tread improvements, and minor improvements at a number of steep spots. About two or three steps should be built at the Ridgecrest Blvd. trailhead, to halt undercutting of the asphalt. This trail is a little below the width and standard of major trails such as the North Side Trail, and full upgrading should not be attempted.
Junction Trail (MMWD)
10/7/02, CVR: The MMWD has been undertaking a major rehabilitation of this trail.
Kent Trail (MMWD)
Potrero Meadows to Serpentine Point Lateral: 10/14/01, CVR: From Potrero Meadows to a little past the intersection with Cross Country Boys Trail, Kent Trail is in need of light to moderate brushing in a number of places. A number of places need drainage improvements. The situation through the forest in the vicinity of the Cross Country Boys Trail crossing is especially difficult, as the trail runs straight up and down the hillside (though on a moderate grade) in a low spot. Some distance past the Cross Country Boys Trail, the trail becomes more brushy. There are sections of moderate to fairly heavy brush intermittently to Serpentine Point Lateral.
Serpentine Point Lateral to Helen Markt Trail: 10/14/01, CVR: This segment of trail has some eroded segments near the top, where the trail runs through chaparral. There are moderately brushy sections here, too. Approaching Stocking Trail, there are a number of flights of steps. Unfortunately, mountain bikers are making S-curves around these steps, wearing away soil wide of the proper trail tread. The trail down to Helen Markt Trail is for the most part in fair to good condition, and in need of only light trimming.
Helen Markt Trail to end:
Lagoon Extension Trail (MMWD)
1/29/01, CVR: This trail is essentially unmaintained. While no reports have been received as to the entire length of the trail, the section from Van Wyck Creek Trail to Rocky Ridge Road is badly overgrown, steep, undrained, and badly eroded.
Lagunitas Fire Trail (MMWD)
7/21/00, CVR: The MMWD has abandoned this trail, although it is not signed as closed. Much of it is heavily overgrown, although it apparently has its fans who keep it minimally passable. Sections are very steep.
Little Carson Trail
6/12/06, Ron Moore & CVR: Most of this route was never properly constructed. This past winter, a large mud slide, thirty feet wide and very long, covered a part of the initial descent from the fire road. The way down next to Carson Falls is just a steep scramble over rocks. The route should probably be modified to reduce traffic in the wet areas used by yellow-legged frogs for breeding. From the bottom of the upper fall down to the redwoods there is really no trail. I received an October 2004 report of fallen trees six inches in diameter across trail, and of a slide having taken out 15 feet of trail, all in the area of the redwoods.
Logging Trail (MMWD)
1/3/01, CVR: This route is steep and unmaintained. In connection with relocating and rebuilding Hidden Meadow Trail, the MMWD has closed the lowermost section of this trail, between Shaver Grade and Hidden Meadow Trail, as redundant. Please do not use this segment.
Matt Davis Trail
Hogback Fire Road to Bootjack Picnic Area (MMWD): 6/5/04, Bill Stevens, Randall Fuller, & CVR: This route has received much attention in recent years from the MMWD staff and from the TCC trail crew. There remain, however, somewhat rutted sections just east of the Nora Trail junction. The entire section is by now moderately in need of brushing. There is a fallen madrone east of Nora Trail that is blocking the trail. The bridge just past Nora Trail has a broken bottom step. The National Trails Day project in June 2004 replaced a second bridge, near Bootjack. Many parts of the tread along this end of the segment are in poor condition, needing rehabilitation and erosion control.
Bootjack Picnic Area to Pan Toll (MTSP): 12/19/01, CVR: In several places, this section of the trail could use tread repairs, to correct berm development or slippage of the outside edge of the trail, although the problems are not severe. A few new water bars would improve drainage in places. One of the steps at Pan Toll has rotted out, and needs replacement.
Pan Toll to Stinson Beach (MTSP & GGNRA): 10/7/02, Roger Diehnel & CVR: Brushing is needed at the first bridge below Pan Toll, in order to prevent decomposition of the bridge during the the rainy season. The TCC crew has recently done considerable brushing and other minor maintenance from some distance above Table Rock to the state park boundary. The bridges over Table Rock Creek and Easkoot Gulch need repairs. One step in the vicinity of Table Rock Creek needs replacement. A number of sections of cedar rail fencing in this area need major repairs.
McKennan Trail (MTSP)
7/12/04, Paul Minault: The trail, especially the lower half, is heavily overgrown with coyote brush and fir, to the point of being all but closed. There is a little poison oak. The tread is in good shape, no erosion.
Mickey O’Brien Trail (MMWD)
1/24/03, CVR: This trail is mostly clear of brush. The trail has short steep spots. A number of short segments of the trail are badly eroded, and require drainage and the repair of stone steps. The TCC rehabilitated the portion of the trail closest to Barth’s Retreat in January 2003.
Miller Trail (MMWD)
8/13/04, CVR: In cooperation with the MMWD, the TCC and the Sierra Club completed a project to rehabilitate the upper leg of this trail, in 2001 and 2002. At the start of the trail, at Ridgecrest Boulevard, a culvert pipe draining the road was relocated, so that the trail no longer crosses it. Flights of steps were completed here, at three locations in the middle of this stretch of trail, and at the final short but very steep descent to the crossing of Old Railroad Grade. Many water bars were added. A small amount of brushing (largely final cleanup from major work already accomplished) remains to be completed. A few sections of eroded tread still need to be rehabilitated.
At Old Railroad Grade, in the spring of 2001, the MMWD placed a sign stating that the lower leg of Miller Trail was closed due to hazardous conditions. The first 400 feet or so descended very steeply through serpentine soil. This part of the trail was undrained, eroded, rocky, slippery, and moderately overgrown. The Marin Conservation Corps completed improvements here in early 2003, adding rock and timber steps. Not every bit of this work is in ideal condition, so it might benefit from followup in the next year or two. From the point that the trail approaches and crosses the creek, although the tread is narrow, the route is adequate and stable, needing just minor repairs. The substantial bridge, crossing back to the left bank of the West Fork of Fern Creek, is a surprise, because the trail on each side of the bridge is so small. After the trail enters the redwood grove, the level of maintenance increases greatly. The trail descends extraordinarily steeply to Old Railroad Grade on several flights of well-constructed steps, added in 1989.
Miwok Trail (MTSP)
From Shoreline Highway to Dias Ridge Fire Road:
From Dias Ridge Fire Road to Redwood Creek Trail: 11/21/06, Bill Stevens & CVR: The TCC and state park staff worked from 1999 to 2002 to rehabilitate this trail, starting at the top. This segment was a major volunteer project for Earth Day in 2001. The first half mile or so was thoroughly rehabilitated. State park staff continued with similar work for another half mile or so, continuing downhill. Unfortunately, regrowth of vegetation has been extremely rapid. This entire upper part of the route is in critical need of annual mowing, to cut off sprouting brush and to keep the route from narrowing and ditching once again. The tendency of the tread to narrow is reinforced by relatively heavy horse traffic. In addition, many existing water bars need to be rehabilitated, and additional drainage work is required to prevent the recurrence of erosion problems. Water bars along this segment were recently cleaned as a TCC trail day project, but about another 50 still need cleaning. From the point at which the trail enters the woods, the remainder of the route, to Redwood Creek Trail, is in reasonably good condition, requiring only the cleaning and improvement of water bars, and minor brushing (especially to cut back poison oak).
Muir Woods Trail (MWNM)
7/21/00, CVR: This trail (or network of trails) sees hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, and most of the time is impeccably maintained by the National Park Service.
Murray Trail (MMWD)
5/9/05, CVR: The TCC trail crew accomplished considerable improvements to the upper part of this trail in the summer of 2002. Most of the brush has been cleared, but parts of the central section remain lightly overgrown. Water bars and a number of steps were installed. There was an October 2004 report of a dead pine having fallen, partially obstructing the trail. The lower end of the trail is extraordinarily steep (use great caution!), and no work has been done here. Reconstruction would be difficult. One option would be to relocate the lower end of the trail so that it curved back into the canyon of Cascade Creek, crossed the creek, and then descended using the old dead end trail along the east bank that passes by some old building foundations.
Music Stand Trail (MMWD)
7/21/00, CVR: Although an MMWD sign at the top points the way to this trail by name, it has never received any maintenance, other than minimal clipping back of brush by its fans. It was never formally constructed, being no more than a route worn by foot traffic. It is very steep, with precarious footing in many places, particularly below Music Camp.
No Name Trail (MMWD)
1/29/01, CVR: This route is unmaintained. It is very narrow, except for a few yards at the Rocky Ridge Road end. Sections of the route are laid out on a reasonable grade, but these alternate with very steep sections that are badly eroded. Parts of the trail are moderately overgrown.
Nora Trail (MMWD) Trail adopted by the Tamalpais Conservation Club
8/13/04, CVR: The trail is in good condition, having received much work during TCC trail days in 1998, 1999, and 2004. It would benefit from the addition of one or two more water bars, repairs to steps at some of the switchbacks, a small amount of additional brushing, and possibly berm removal in some areas. The parking lot at West Point Inn drains into the top of the trail. If possible, this should be corrected.
North Knee Trail (MTSP)
10/2/03, CVR: This short spur off the Verna Dunshee Tr., a piece of the otherwise-closed Indian Ridge Fire Trail, received no maintenance for many years. However, the Calif. Dept. of Parks and Recreation recently built a new flight of steps at the junction with the Verna Dunshee Tr., in connection with a major project on that trail. While the trail lies on MMWD land, presumably it should be maintained by MTSP, which maintains the Verna Dunshee Tr. even though that trail, too, lies mostly on MMWD land. The route has become moderately overgrown. The end of the trail is not demarcated.
North Side Trail (MMWD)
Eldridge Grade to Colier Spring: 10/19/00, CVR: Most of this trail is in excellent condition. Careful brushing has been done along most of the route in recent years.
Lower North Side Trail: 10/19/00, CVR: Most of this trail is in excellent condition. Careful brushing has been done along most of the route in recent years. The MMWD in recent years constructed an excellent short extension, so that the trail directly intersects Rock Spring-Lagunitas Fire Rd. In this area, manzanita burls and other debris should be better disposed of. Further work was done as a Youth Day project in 1999.
Upper North Side Trail: 10/9/01, CVR: The trail is laid out along a very good alignment, and much of it is in excellent condition. It is moderately brushy through chaparral areas. There are a number of rocky and eroded spots near Rocky Ridge.
Ocean View Trail (MTSP and MWNM)
12/19/02, Bill Stevens: The portion of the trail within the state park is generally in good condition. In November and December 2002, the TCC trail crew installed new water bars, improved existing water bars, improved tread, and trimmed brush.
Old Mine Trail (MTSP)
Mountain Theater Trail to Pan Toll: 12/19/01, CVR: State park staff’s efforts to prevent visitors from using the old route of the trail, over the top of the first hill on the left, as one comes down Old Mine Trail, have been unsuccessful, and may be futile. Most of the official route is in reasonably good condition. There is a steep section, just beyond the aforementioned hill, with a number of steps. Mountain bikers are going around the ends of the steps, widening the trail tread and creating a ditch beyond the ends of the steps. The water bars below these steps are not fully effective, despite repairs. Much soil has washed away in this area; the staircase really needs to be extended down from where it presently ends. Lower on this segment, there are trail sections shored up with rock retaining walls that have not been properly drained. In places, much soil has washed out, leaving ditched sections. These locations require additional water bars, and the replacement of the lost soil.
Pan Toll to Coastal Fire Road: 12/19/01, CVR: This segment is mostly in good condition.
Old Sled Trail (MMWD)
6/12/06, Ron Moore & CVR: From Bolinas-Fairfax Road to the ridge-top fire road, the trail is steep, somewhat overgrown in sections, and eroded in places. The route is occasionally ambiguous. The bottom few yards of the trail need rerouting, as the construction of Bolinas-Fairfax Road decades ago left a steep drop-off. However, the layout of the remainder of the route is sound, so the trail could be successfully rehabilitated with a modest effort. From the fire road to Little Carson Trail, the route is uncertain in places. However, it primarily just needs a thorough brushing job, and better definition of the route where it becomes faint. An azalea bush that needs cutting back makes for especially rough going part way along. A stream crossing at the same location needs improvement. There is a sharp drop from the fire road to the start of this second section.
Old Stove Trail (MMWD)
10/7/02, CVR: Over the past two months, the TCC trail crew has performed considerable work on this trail. The trail tread is mostly in good condition, although there are some short ditched sections. At the southwest end, where the trail descends steeply to Laurel Dell Fire Road, the crew has replaced old, ineffective water bars with new ones, and has built a few steps, notably right at the point of descent to the road. The crew has done considerable brushing, but many sections need additional trimming.
O’Rourke’s Bench Trail (MTSP)
10/19/00, CVR: The steps and the one water bar at the beginning of the trail need repair. The initial uphill section past this point is becoming eroded.
Panoramic Trail (MTSP)
6/25/02, Mitch Field, Paul Minault, & CVR: The TCC did maintenance on the section of trail from Mountain Home to Ridge Ave., in autumn 2000. This put the trail mostly into good condition. However, a number of the water bars have since silted up completely. Also an invasive exotic plant, with tall blue flower spikes, has been growing back very rapidly near the Mountain Home trailhead, threatening to block the trail again. The southern extension of this trail, for about one-half mile approaching Dias Ridge Fire Rd., is overgrown and deeply gullied.
Plank Walk Trail (MTSP)
5/28/03, CVR: The TCC trail crew has done a bit of work on this trail on several occasions over the past two years. The culverts under the “plank walk” section have been dug out. Just at the top of this section, the barrier closing off the old return trail, branching to the right, needs to be improved and better signed. Along the next 150 feet or so of trail, the TCC has done some drainage work and tread improvement, but more is needed, much of the footing now being on rough bedrock due to erosion. Approaching the summit of East Peak, a few sections of the old steps have never been repaired; major work is needed here. At the end of the public trail (at which point visitors are asked to turn around and proceed no farther), the TCC put up a barrier and a less ambiguous sign in May 2003. Still, this location needs to be better marked, and the experience for park visitors would be enhanced by improvements and maybe some interpretive signs. A moderate amount of trimming is needed everywhere above the “plank walk” section, although the heaviest growth has been cut back along the entire route.
Red Rock Beach Trail (MTSP)
8/13/04, CVR: While considerable brushing has been done on the upper section within the past two years, the chaparral grows back very rapidly here. The trail really needs regular weed-whacking, to beat down growth of annuals and new stems of coyote brush, poison oak, and blackberry. Unfortunately, it is unlikely to get this regular attention. State park staff did new drainage work on the upper section two or three years ago, using heavy equipment. While this work was well designed, many of the drainage dips urgently need strengthening with timber water bars, and the drainage channels should be cleaned out and in some cases enlarged.
In September 2002, a volunteer event organized by the Access Fund, a climbers’ group, did considerable work on the bottom end of the trail. Along the switchbacks, the volunteers did major brushing, installed a number of water bars and a few steps, cleaned existing steps, and improved the tread. Regular attention to this area would be desirable, but the work is holding up well. The volunteers removed the unsuccessful “sand ladder” installed some years ago on the beach approach. They filled the ditch below with many large rocks, and built a wall to shore up the trail at the top of this ditch.
In September 2003 and again in June 2004, large groups of volunteers made up of beachgoers and TCC trail crew members made major improvements to the volunteer-built reroute of the bottom end of the trail, descending to the beach, that appeared a few years ago. This very last part of the trail had been largely destroyed by wave action in the winter of 2002 to 2003. Beginning at the bottom, a flight of steps was completely reconstructed. Rock and railroad ties were used to build a large batter wall intended to protect the lower end of the trail from erosion. A second flight of steps, a few feet higher on the trail, was added. Substantial excavation to widen one remaining narrow part of the tread would be desirable. Due to the force of winter storms affecting this part of the trail, which is vulnerable to water erosion from both above and below, it is likely that major repairs will be needed every couple of years.
Redwood Creek Trail (MTSP)
10/7/02, CVR: At the Muir Woods end of the trail, the tread need repairs. The first bridge needs major repairs. The horse bypass needs further brushing and repairs. Past Miwok Trail, a section of the trail through a meadow is swampy in wet weather, but it may be best just to live with this rather than to attempt major work. In the vicinity of the second bridge, near Santos Meadow, the trail needs light trimming. The TCC trail crew began the rebuilding of this bridge on Oct. 17, 2001, and completed it only in September 2002. I have not recently inspected the trail beyond Santos Meadow.
Redwood Spring Trail (MTSP & MMWD)
2/25/02, CVR: The first part of this trail, starting at the East Peak picnic area to Eldridge Grade, is on state park land. The opening few hundred feet are in good condition. As it descends to Eldridge Grade, the trail has become very eroded and is difficult for the hiker. While the exact location of the state park boundary is unclear, the MMWD is contemplating reconstructing this section. The trail past Eldridge Grade is on water district land. Most of this section as far as Redwood Spring is basically sound, although it needs a little brushing. Approaching Redwood Spring, a deep ditch comes into the trail and follows it for a few feet before dropping downhill. A major repair is needed here. The trail past Redwood Spring, dripping to North Side Trail, was never actually constructed; it is merely a use trail. It is very steep, slippery, and narrow. This would be a desirable location for a well-built trail, because the route opens up interesting loop possibilities from East Peak.
Ridge Trail (MMWD)
1/3/01, CVR: This trail is in better condition than in years past, as someone has competently brushed it out within the last year or so, although not to a great width. Much of it remains steep and eroded. The route is clear enough to follow, except that the point at which the route departs from the creekside path at Deer Park remains vague.
Riding and Hiking Trail (MTSP)
12/19/01, CVR: This trail is in reasonably good condition throughout. However, a few places could use tread improvements, including the removal of berm. Both the main trail and the Riding and Hiking Trail Spur, where they approach Easy Grade Trail, are dumping a great deal of water on that trail; more water bars are needed here.
Rock Spring Trail (MMWD)
7/21/00, CVR: The trail is mostly in good condition. The TCC worked on parts of the trail during several trail days in 1999. A set of stone steps ascending to a serpentine ridge, some distance west of Alice Eastwood Trail, remains incomplete. The trail across that ridge is vague, and obstructing rocks need to be removed. Parts of the trail need further brushing, although they are only modestly overgrown.
Rocky Ridge Fire Trail (MMWD)
7/21/00, CVR: The MMWD has abandoned this trail, and discourages its use, due to erosion problems. It is steep. There is little reason to use this trail, as the MMWD has extended Lower North Side Trail to intersect with Rock Spring-Lagunitas Fire Road, and has reopened Arturo Trail. The pole line and pipes that follow this route should be removed.
Sierra Trail (MTSP)
5/28/03, CVR: The TCC and state park staff have done considerable work on this trail in 2000, 2001, and January 2003. The opening yards of the trail, at Panoramic Highway, are very steep. The footing here is firm, and the trail previously was not suffering much erosion, but it did receive some damage in the heavy rains of December 2002. Parts of the trail, particularly near the bottom, remain in need of a moderate amount of brushing. A number of water bars were added in January 2003. Although the work is holding up well, parts of the trail still bear watching, to determine if the number is sufficient to prevent the recurrence of past problems, when the trail channeled water and eroded. It appears that still more water bars are needed in a few scattered locations.
Simmons Trail (MMWD)
9/5/01, CVR: The first part of this trail, beginning at Rock Spring, is in reasonably good condition, although it is very steep just past the bridge over Zeische Creek. After the trail leaves the woods, and traverses chaparral on serpentine soil, it is in terrible condition for most of the distance to Barth’s Retreat–often steep, often deeply rutted, lacking proper drainage, and often moderately brushy. Only short sections in the area of the summit are in reasonably good condition. The descent to Barth’s Retreat is a long, continuous, undrained ditch.
Six Points Trail (MMWD)
1/3/01, CVR: The MMWD has given considerable attention to this trail in recent years, having installed many water bars and other drainage improvements. Nevertheless, it remains in need of much tread work. The trail receives heavy use and crosses difficult terrain–wet soil on steep slopes in deep forest. Hence, it is prone to rapid erosion.
Sky Oaks-Lagunitas Trail (MMWD)
6/25/02, CVR: Volunteers began the extension of this trail north to Taylor Trail as the 2001 National Trails Day project. MMWD staff completed the project soon after. Volunteers worked on the section descending the hill to “Redwood Turn” at the shore of Bon Tempe Lake as the 2002 National Trails Day project, installing check steps, a great volume of gravel to fill ditched sections, and water bars. MMWD staff then completed this work.
Spillway Trail (MMWD)
10/9/01, CVR: This is the name we have applied to the short trail that ascends to the dam from the Lake Lagunitas Picnic Area, next to the spillway, and continues to the Lagunitas Southside Road. All of the steps need cleaning. The last set of steps, near the top, is eroding out at the bottom. One or two steps should be added at the bottom. A large ditch has opened next to the stone steps at the top of this flight; this should be filled.
Steep Ravine Trail (MTSP)
3/1/04, Jim Vitek & CVR: As of a few days ago, probably as a result of a major wind storm, tangles of trees have fallen across the trail in three locations between Pan Toll and the ladder. These are difficult barriers for hikers. Otherwise, this trail is lightly overgrown throughout, moderately so in a few places, but is fundamentally in good condition. A length of pipeline in the trail rising from the dam, where the trail coincides with Dipsea Trail, should be buried.
Stocking Trai1 (MMWD)
1/29/01, CVR: The MMWD has recently placed signs stating that the lower section of Stocking Trail (between Bon Tempe Lake and Rocky Ridge Road) is closed due to hazardous conditions. The MMWD has done subtantial work on the upper section of the trail, to Kent Trail. However, many sections are moderately overgrown. Some of the railroad tie steps need additional work–water is eroding the soil around the ends of the steps, and the spaces in back of some of them need to be better filled in with soil.
TCC Trail (MTSP)
9/7/05, Bill Stevens & CVR: The TCC has done work on this trail a number of times in recent months. Most of it is in good condition. Short stretches need tread repair or widening to correct problems with the collapse of the edge of the trail. Some huckleberry thickets near Van Wyck Meadow need further brushing.
Telephone Trail #1 (MMWD)
7/21/00, CVR: The MMWD has abandoned this trail (if it was ever considered a maintained trail). It is very steep, parts of it dangerously precipitous. Much of the route is moderately overgrown, although the trail apparently has its fans who keep it minimally passable. Curiously, the very top of the trail is well constructed, with a number of railroad tie steps. Probably state park staff had this work done at the time many park trails were being rehabilitated by the Youth Conservation Corps and others in the 1970s.
Temelpa Trail (MMWD)
From Fern Canyon Road to Hoo-Koo-E-Koo Road: 2/25/02, CVR: In years past, this trail started lower on Summit Avenue, but that portion of the trail has been obliterated and blocked by residential development. The lowermost section of the current trail, starting at Fern Canyon Road and climbing to again touch Fern Canyon Road a little higher up, is in reasonably good condition. The MMWD installed several very substantial water bars in 2000 or 2001. The family living in the neighboring house placed wood chips in the trail tread. This section has been well brushed out. All that is really needed is a repair near the bottom, where a short section of tread has been narrowed by the collapse of the downhill edge of the trail.
At the upper connection with Fern Canyon Road, the old sign fell recently, and has been retrieved by MMWD staff. They need to put it back in place. The trail from here to Hoo-Koo-E-Koo Road is in fair condition, good where recently repaired. Eagle Scouts, under the direction of the MMWD, built steps up the majority of the steep portions of this route in 1997. Some of the steps were improperly placed, and as a consequence the tread is not everywhere in good condition. The TCC installed a number of water bars in 2000. Chris Valle-Riestra and other TCC volunteers have since installed a few more water bars, have improved the runouts on some of the existing water bars, have reconfigured some of the steps, have improved the tread in places, and have completed trimming to that the trail is now free of encroaching brush. The pieces of the pipeline removed from the trail tread, that formerly littered the sides of the trail, have been carried out. Work still needed includes the installation of two more water bars, moving more of the railroad tie steps, and filling the remaining ditched sections.
MMWD staff have the old sign that formerly stood at the junctiion with Hoo-Koo-E-Koo Road, and should put it back in place.
The short spur trail that starts just above the upper connection with Fern Canyon Road, and runs down to near the intersection of Fern Canyon Road and Summit Avenue, is a poor route, steep and deeply eroded toward the bottom and moderately overgrown.
From Hoo-Koo-E-Koo Road to Vic Haun Trail: 2/25/02, CVR: This portion of the trail is in extremely poor condition. It is very steep and has received almost no drainage work. As a consequence, the route has eroded into a deep, continuous ditch, incised in bedrock, for most of its length. The trail is also moderately to heavily overgrown. The only work now contemplated is the installation of a few water bars and drainage dips, at long intervals, to slow erosion.
From Vic Haun Trail to Verna Dunshee Trail: 5/9/05, CVR: TCC member Chris Valle-Riestra (with anyone else who would like to help) has been rehabilitating this portion of the trail. Work is progressing well, and the majority of the route is now in good condition. The following work is still needed:
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A few more water bars and minor tread improvements are needed between Vic Haun Trail and Telephone Trail #1.
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From Telephone Trail #1 to the intersection with the old, direct route of Temelpa Trail heading back downhill, minor tread improvements are needed, and, as a lower priority item, perhaps a few water bars. A few steps are needed at the first of the switchback turns (turning left as one proceeds uphill).
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Starting about 200 feet uphill from the intersection with the old route, a length of trail was extremely steep, rocky, undrained, and eroded, with unstable footing. The TCC crew has completed a reroute, consisting of five switchback legs, in two phases between December 2002 and May 2005. This has included placement of one bridge. A little fine-tuning remains to be done.
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The next switchback turn itself is very steep, and needs steps, about half of which have been built.
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From the evidence of the volume of water gathering on the trail, it appears that a few more water bars are needed along the switchback legs above this point.
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The lower crossing of Devil’s Slide should be improved. One more water bar is needed just uphill from that crossing.
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On the remainder of the trail, to Verna Dunshee Trail, one or two more water bars are needed. Retaining wall and tread repairs are needed where the trail crosses a major rock outcrop. Higher up, carved stone steps need improvement. About three tie walls may be needed on the uppermost leg, where conditions make construction of stone walls difficult.
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Tread stabilization and a few steps are needed at the upper junction with the old, direct route of Temelpa Trail.
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Minor brushing is again needed in places.
Throckmorton Trail (MMWD)
7/20/00, CVR: The MMWD has closed this former trail to all use, to prevent further erosion. Please do not use this route.
Tourist Club Trail (Redwood Trail) (MTSP)
4/26/02, Louise Marquering: Part of the trail, near the Tourist Club, is very eroded.
8/21/03, Ellen Mack: There is a bench eight minutes walk beyond the Tourist Club toward Mountain Home, overlooking a lovely vista. The back of the bench has been down for a couple years, and now the seat part is getting quite shaky. Please don’t remove the bench, but could it be repaired?
Trestle Trail (MTSP)
9/23/03, Don Violin & CVR: At least four railroad tie steps need replacement or repair. In particular, one step out of a flight is missing, and a projecting piece of rebar remaining behind is a hazard. A water bar is clogged.
Troop 80 Spur (MTSP)
7/21/00, CVR: This trail is in good condition, having recently received much attention under the direction of Gary Bischof. He would like to continue rock paving above the water bar at the edge of Van Wyck Meadow, and to improve inside ditches in the same area.
Troop 80 Trail (MTSP)
3/8/04, Bill Stevens & Tom Frazier: As we have for some years feared would happen, the bridge just west of Sierra Trail has failed. There is no easy detour. One problem that has existed is that water drained straight down the trail, from Sierra Trail, washing debris onto the end of the bridge. This should be corrected with a water bar.
Tucker Trail (MMWD)
9/12/02, Larry Minikes: Most of the problems on this trail are within a short distance, in the top third of the trail. Right around the 800′ level, in the area of Camp Tucker, close to the signpost at the first major switchback, in
the winter there is no clear route for water, so it is running down the trail and across the switchbacks. Also, closer to the end of the trail, where one of the streamlets comes out, the trail is very weak right in that elbow.
About six switchbacks down from the signpost, the trail crosses the stream. The trail got washed out here about six or seven years ago. There is a shortcut, but the washout has never been properly addressed. Some steps or rerouting will be in order.
At the next stream crossing headed down, there is very little trail left. The hillside needs some reinforcing, or at some point the entire trail will be lost and it will require a great deal of work to create a reroute.
11/18/02, Jennine Heller: Descending from the top, the signpost at the first major switchback merely says “Tucker Trail”, without an arrow pointing left and downhill. This is confusing, as it may appear that one should proceed straight across the creek, where there is a well worn path. An arrow on the signpost would be very helpful.
Van Wyck Creek Trail (MMWD)
1/29/01, CVR: This trail is essentially unmaintained. While not an unreasonable route overall, the trail is narrow, steep in places, and badly eroded in some sections.
Verna Dunshee Trail (MTSP)
10/2/03, CVR: While with very minor exceptions has been easily passable to hikers, this trail is designed for wheelchair access. The Dept. of Parks and Recreation is currently engaged in a major project to improve this trail. The work will include relocating the northern entrance to the trail, eliminating the steps so as to allow continuous wheelchair access. The project also includes substantial brushing work, repairs to retaining walls as the outside edge of the trail, and repairs to the pavement.
Vic Haun Trail (Airplane Trail) (MMWD)
5/28/03, CVR: TCC member Chris Valle-Riestra (with anyone else who would like to help) is rehabilitating this trail. Most of the route is in good condition. The following work is still needed:
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A few more water bars.
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Tread improvement and minor brushing on one very short section (about 30 feet long) through chaparral.
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About a dozen steps on a steep spot a short distance below Temelpa Trail.
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Probable reroutes of two eroded sections running straight downhill, in the lower third of the route.
West Point Trail (MMWD)
7/21/00, CVR: The MMWD has abandoned this trail. Most of the route is very steep and has eroded into a deep ditch. The section below Matt Davis Trail is moderately overgrown, although it apparently has its fans who keep it minimally passable. There are a few well-constructed stone steps just above Panoramic Highway. The section above Matt Davis Trail is no longer discernible in places. Nora Trail provides a good alternative to this section.
Wheeler Trail (MMWD)
5/28/03, CVR: The MMWD did a great deal of brushing on this trail about a year ago. Some of this work needs fine-tuning, including proper disposal of debris. Much of the route is very steep. While not eroding severely, footing is poor in many places. The TCC trail crew has recently spent three Saturdays here, installing a number of sets of steps and water bars. Parts of the trail would benefit from further major rehabilitation.
Yolanda Trail (MMWD)
10/19/00, CVR: The Yolanda Tr. has been the focus of recent National Trails Day projects and other maintenance efforts. Most of the route is in good condition.
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