Wednesday, March 16, 2016
View the entire Google Web Album
This short hilly ride goes up through the beautiful redwoods on Panoramic Hwy to Pan Toll Rd before continuing up E Ridgcrest Blvd to the summit of Mt Tamalapais. Drop down the mountain on Pan Toll and Panoramic for a stop at Stinson Beach followed by a gorgeous run along the coast on Hwy 1 S for the return to Mill Valley.
Exit Safeway and head up Miller Ave to Throckmorton Ave.
The turn on Cascade Dr takes you through the redwoods around Old Mill Park to Marion Dr. Marion Dr winds up along the canyon through a beautiful residential neighborhood with homes nestled in the woods; it climbs up to Edgewood Ave with gradient ranges of 6-9%.
Edgewood Ave continues to climb up through the neighborhoods with an average grade of 5.5%. Continue south on Sequoia Valley Rd to Panoramic Hwy at Four Corners; the climb is 0.6 mile with an average grade of 6.3%.
Enjoy the views!
The next 4+ miles on Panoramic Hwy takes you along the ridge as we weave our way through the residential neighborhoods. There is a short section of steep climbing with grades of 9-11% before you reach Mountain Home Inn. Panoramic Hwy continues winding along the ridge before gently dropping down into the redwoods around Mt Tam State Park.
The road continues to twist and turn as you make the gentle climb under the beautiful canopy of pines and redwoods up to Pan Toll Rd.
The climbing continues for 1.4 miles on Pan Toll Rd up to the Rock Springs parking lot with an average grade of 5.5%.
Enjoy the gorgeous vistas!
Continue on E Ridgecrest for an out and back climb up to the summit of Mt Tamalpais; it’s a steady 1.4 mile climb up to the highest point with an average grade of 6.7% and a short steep section with grades of 12-15%.
There are several vista points on the way up the mountain, pull over and enjoy the dramatic views of SF, Marin and beyond!
From the high point, the road continues with a few short climbs and a couple of descents. The hiker/bike path on Old Railroad Grade Trail at the bottom of the descent will lead up to the summit. There are a few picnic tables and a bench at the Verna Dunn overlook area.
Enjoy the grand views!
Descend Mt Tam East Peak from the upper parking lot onto Ridgecrest Blvd; it regains 250+ feet on the climb back up to the West Peak summit with gradient ranges of 6-10%.
The sweeping descent from the West Peak drops down to the Rock Springs parking area. Descend Pan Toll Rd to the junction at Panoramic Hwy and continue downhill on Panoramic to Hwy 1 at Stinson Beach.
Lunch stop at Stinson Beach Park.
Flowers at the park.
Exit Stinson Beach Park to Hwy 1 S.
Continue on Hwy 1 S for the climb up to the first high point at Steep Ravine near Rocky Point Rd; it’s 1.5 mile with an average grade of 5.5%.
Enjoy the fantastic coastal views!
Hwy 1 S continues along the coastline with a sweeping descent and short rolling climbs from Lone Tree Creek to Slide Ranch.
The coastal views are magnificent!
The climb from Slide Ranch to the upper ridge is 0.4 mile with an average grade of 8.4%.
Hwy 1 S continues along the ridge with marvelous coastal mountain views!
Hwy 1 S winds down along the edge of the Golden Gate Nat’l Recreation Area to Muir Beach. The road narrows as it climbs out of Green Gulch towards the high point at the eucalyptus stands; it’s 1.9 miles with an average grade of 6.1% and steep pitches of 8-10%.
The road continues climbing up to the summit followed by a twisty descent down to Tamalpais Valley Junction at Richardson Bay.
Turn left on Almonte Blvd; the road name changes to Miller Ave as it rolls along the bay back to Safeway.
This is a wonderful short scenic loop up to the summit of Mt Tam with a fun stretch along the gorgeous Pacific coastline! It’s definitely a quality over quantity kind of ride!
Garmin Stats:
34 Miles with 4570′ of elevation gain
Max elevation: 2480′
Max grade: 15%
Terrain: Extremely Hilly
Weather: Sunny and & warm. Temps ranged from the low 50’s to the mid 70’s with NW winds.
View the interactive RGPS route map & profile
Follow this route for today’s ride:
Ride Chronicles 
Wow, great weather, views, redwoods, wildfloers. Could you see the Farallones, or too much fog off the coast? Great photos and narrative.
LikeLike
The landscape and terrain are so different from what we have here in the UK. You’re a great ambassador for highlighting all the beauty that can be found in the San Francisco Bay Area.
LikeLike
Rich, Thanks, it was a beautiful day riding along the coast! Did not see the Farallones, may have to go a bit further north to see them.
LikeLike
Thanks Mrs Barnes! California living is great!
LikeLike