Big Trees & Steep Ravines - SF Trail Runners Run in Marin

***Please note, this is a cross-post from the SF Trail Runners meetup group so please get in touch with Jen Stover, the run host, if you have any questions from their original post here: https://www.meetup.com/San-Francisco-Trail-Runners/events/102277902/?a=li1_12

The beauty of this run, is you have 3 options on distances based on interest or time!
This run is gorgeous. And if you have never been down the first loop on Dipsea & back up Steep Ravine, you are in for a real treat! Fern-laden & mossy, scattered with bridges & ladders (yes!), it feels like a Hobbit paradise. One of my faves. First loop is ~3.7 miles

The second loop takes us down to Muir Woods & we are gonna see some big trees! Then head back to Pan Toll on Dipsea ( or the Deer Park Fire road if the trail is too muddy) and that loop adds another ~5.7 miles (~9.4 total)

If you are done at that point, you will have seen some of the best parts of the Mt Tam State Park. If you want to tack on a few more miles, the last section is an Out-n-Bak along Matt Davis > Coastal ( don't miss the split or you will end up at Stinson Beach!) towards Willow Camp Road & back to Pan Toll. Here you can customize whatever extra miles you want, turning back whenever you are ready. If you make it to Willow Camp Road before turning, your total will be ~15.5 miles.

There are some good climbs on this route (though not as steep as previous weeks) and the first 2 loops are mostly shaded & under canopy, running along creeks, so it will be cooler & more humid, FYI, for planning what to wear.

Hope you make it! Here is the link to the routes. If you use the OSM mode, you can see the trails more clearly. You can also 'shrink' the left side tool bar to see the profile more completely.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=5803802
or here:

https://www.facebook.com/events/506420069401106/

Trail play-by-play:

First 3.7 mile loop:
Down Old Mine to Dipsea, turn Right & head down.
Pick up Steep Ravine (after the bridge) and head UP, back to Pan Toll

Second 5.7 mile loop (9.4 total)
Stapleveldt > TCC (stay Right) > L on Dipsea > Left on Ben Johnson
at split, go Left on Fern Creek (cross over creek) >down to Muir Woods & Dipsea trail.
Right on Dipsea (Deer Park Fireroad parallels) > Pass Ben Johnson to TCC > Right on TCC back up to Pan Toll

Third section (out & back)
Cross road to Matt Davis > Stay RIGHT on Coastal trail
the sign for this split is facing the opposite way & you will be running downhill, the split UP to coastal is what you want, or you will be taking a swim at Stinson Beach & will have a long climb back!
Coastal as far as you want towards Willow Camp rd & turn back