Intermediate/Strenuous hike with some steep areas.
Approx. 10 miles with 1600 ft. elev. gain

Rain cancels
Contact: Shannon B. (cell) [masked]

No dogs on trails in this park.

Intermediate 10 mile hike in the hills and redwoods of central Marin County.
Starting at Samuel P. Taylor State Park, we will first meander through the redwoods, then hike to the top of Barnabe Peak, (1466’) for great views if it is clear. To finish the loop, we take Bill’s Trail down, and a short side trip to explore Devil’s Gulch. If there has been recent rain, water in Stairstep Falls is a possibility.

Bring a blanket or tarp to sit on as we will be lunching on an open hilltop and it might be wet from previous day's rain.

Hiking directions:
Start at the Devil’s Gulch parking area alongside Sir Francis Drake Blvd.
1. Take the trail along Lagunitas Creek toward S Taylor Park.
2. Cross the bridge to the right, go toward Redwood Grove camp area
3. Turn left on the Pioneer Tree Trail
4. Take Pioneer Tree Trail through the park
5. Turn right on Cross Marin Trail (bike path) and cross bridge
6. Continue on Cross Marin Trail
7. Turn left on Barnabe Fire Rd.
8. Lunch at the fire lookout on the peak
9. Continue on Barnabe Fire Rd.
10. Turn right on Bill’s Trail
11. After about a mile, turnoff for view of Stairstep Falls will be on right. Unless there has been recent rain it will be dry, but would be fun to check it out for future hikes.
12. Cross bridge to right, then explore up Devil’s Gulch Fire Rd. to right, for a half mile or so.
13. Turn around and take Devil’s Gulch Rd. back to parking area

Download a park brochure with a trail map: http://www.parks.ca.g...

~10:15am meet at Devil's Gulch parking area on Sir Francis Drake Blvd.

Driving directions:
Davis Park and Ride to Samuel Taylor State Park (Devil’s Gulch)
1. Take I-80 W toward San Francisco - 41.2 mi
2. Take the exit onto CA-37 W toward San Rafael - 19.0 mi
3. Take the Atherton Ave exit - 0.1 mi
4. Turn left at Atherton Ave - 3.2 mi
5. Continue on San Marin Dr - 2.7 mi
6. Turn right at Novato Blvd - 6.3 mi
7. Turn Left on Pt. Reyes-Petaluma Rd.
8. Continue on Point Reyes Petaluma Rd - 6.8 mi
9. After passing the reservoir, at a point where Pt Reyes-Petaluma Rd. makes a right turn, go straight on Platform Bridge Rd - 2.4 mi
10. Turn left at Sir Francis Drake Blvd and go 2.3 miles.
Park at thedirt parking area on the right. If you pass the road for Devil’s Gulch, you've just passed it. Limited space at the trailhead, so please park tightly.