San Francisco City Steps

Look across the bay to Marin, and you'll see the magnificent Sleeping Maiden of Mount Tamalpais towering 2,572 feet above us. On this hike, we'll follow the route of the former Mt Tam Scenic Railroad which navigated 281 curves and 22 trestles to earn its title "The Crookedest Railroad in the World." We'll go up to the summit of the Gardener Lookout and loop around back to the Mountain Home Inn. Most of the route is along a wide, maintained, rustic trail covered with ballast, sand, rocks, and the occasional root. The switchbacks keep the trail from rising steeply, but there are several up and down hills. The trail from the East Peak to the summit is steep and narrow. We follow a single file trail in the last sections of the walk. We share the trail with mountain bikes and (rarely) horses. The views to and from the top are spectacular.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

I won't walk a big group for this one, so I'm going to be a real stickler. If you have a no-show on your record, I'll move you to the waitlist in favor of someone who honors our policies. Habitual place holders and late cancelers will most likely moved to the waitlist as well. City Steppers who consistently have difficulty keeping pace or completing hikes are asked not to sign up this time. This hike is only available to City Steps members. Crashers will be turned away.

ABOUT THE HIKE

Logistics

We'll start our walk at 9:15 AM. Be on time, and give yourself a few minutes to check in and use the facilities. The walk will take most of the day. I would be surprised if we were back much before 3:00. We meet at the parking lot directly across from the Mountain Home Inn at 810 Panoramic Highway (perma potty toilet). All-day parking is free here, but space is limited. We walk at a steady but moderate pace, slower on the hills, with a few stop-and-enjoy-the-view moments. It's not a race to the top, but please be sure your fitness/activity level is on par with the difficulty level of this walk, as there is no easy turn-back spot and we will want to keep moving. If you're a fast walker, you'll spend a lot of time waiting, as we make sure everyone stays together.

Details

We head along the OLD RAILROAD GRADE TRAIL to West Point Inn (restrooms) and we'll stop for an early lunch and rest break. We'll then follow the railroad trail up to the EAST PEAK Visitor Center (restrooms) where we'll first take the flat and view-laden VERNA DUNSHEE TRAIL which loops around the crest. Then it's up to the the top at the GARDENER LOOKOUT. We leave the East Peak Center and return via the LAKEVIEW TRAIL to the Railroad Trail which doubles us back to West Point for a quick enjoy-the-vibe reststop. From West Point we take mostly downhill, single file NORA TRAIL to our starting point at the Panoramic Highway.

GETTING THERE
Please. Please. Please carpool. Parking on the mountain is limited. If you can offer a seat or need a ride leave a comment below or message me and I will do my best to arrange it.

Driving
MOuntain Home is about 40 minutes from downtown San Francisco. Cross the Golden Gate Bridge to Highway 1 towards Mill Valley. Turn left at Altamont to the Shoreline Highway. Take the (uphill) turn to Panoramic Highway. Both Shoreline and Panoramic are narrow with a lot of blind turns. If you're not used to mountain roads, you might consider letting someone else do the driving.

Parking
We should be early enough that parking will be close by. Although the lot across from Mtn Home fills up quickly there is another parking area just before the fire station (just past Mtn Home, turn right towards the yellow hydrant, then downhill) . If both lots are full, you will have to drive along Panoramic until you find a pull-out spot.

Public Transpotation
Golden Gate Transit changed its schedule, so it's more complicated now, but still do-able.
Bus #130 goes from the Transbay Terminal at 6:20AM,and arrives in Sausalito (Bridgeway at Bay) at 7:10 AM or Marin City at 7:23. https://www.goldengate.org/bus/route-schedule/san-rafael-san-francisco-130/

Transfer to West Marin Stagecoach #61 (alas, not a real stagecoach- how fun would that be!) which departs Sausalito at 8;05 or Marin City at 8:15 AM and arrives at Panoramic and Edgewood (Mountain Home Inn- you have to tell the driver) at 8:50AM. https://marintransit.org/routes/61

As you see, you end up wuth a 50+ minute wait between busses. This option might be best for people already in Marin, but I guess people coming from the city could have a light breakfast in Sausalito.

Going back, pick up the 61 at Mtn Home at 3:08 (we might not make that one) or 4:00 and take it to Sausalito where you have multiple options, including the ferry.

WHAT TO BRING

Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. The trails should be dry. MT TAM IS ABOVE THE FOG LINE so expect it to be warm.

Hiking Poles if you usually use them.

A light lunch (we eat early- probably before 11:00) and a snack for the way back. There is no place to buy lunch, but West Point offers lemonade, tea,granola bars etc for $1 each on the cash honor system.

Water. You can refill at the fountain at Mountain Home or the summit, or from the hose at West Point. Water on the mountain is soooo delicious!

Camera. Birders might want to bring binoculars.

DOGGY GUEST RULES

Dogs are always welcome on my walks. The trails are leash-only and I'm told that the rangers enforce this rule. The bicyclists come barrelling around the curves at a fast pace, and won't be able to stop in time if your dog is not nearby. It's a long walk- make sure your dog is up to it. DOGS ARE NOT PERMITTED ON THE TRAIL TO THE LOOKOUT. You will have to wait at East Peak for us to loop back. But there are picnic tables and things to explore.

LIABILITY & SAFETY-- You are responsible for your own safety on all City Steps walks. Your yes RSVP confirms that you have read and agree to theLiability Waiver which can. Be found atvthe bottom of every Meetup.com page.

Some people light a bonfire, others thank the faeiries, or sing traditional folk songs, but the City Steppers tradition is to seek the highest point to welcome summer. June 20th is the last day of spring and the beginning of the solstice--- the longest day of the year. Let's celebrate it by climbing to the top of San Francisco- the peak of Mount Davidson, 928 feet up to the city's highest point. We'll enjoy the late sunset as we walk through the neighborhoods that surround the park before heading up to the cross at the top. On a clear day, Mount Davidson offers a terrific city view. Sunset is at 8:34, so we'll have plenty of time to enjoy the views and the neighborhood. What other traditions will you celebrate there? Bring some flowers for your hair- it's the San Francisco way.

We meet in front of the West Portal Branch Library and BEGIN WALKING AT 6:00 PM. Please arrive a few minutes early to park, use the restroom (the one inside the library closes at 5;45, but there's a Starbucks about a block away), and check in. The walk should take about 2 1/2 hours, and THERE WILL NOT BE ANOTHER RESTROOM OPPORTUNITY. We won't be stopping for a snack break, so eat a late lunch or grab a quick bite before you arrive,

This is an uphill walk along a hilly, sometimes unpaved, terrain. There are several stairways. We walk at a steady but moderate pace, stopping to catch our breath as needed.

West Portal Library is at Ulloa and Lenox, immediately to the right of West Portal Station as you exit. West Portal Station is easily accessible by public transportation. Lines K, L, & M stop at the station. Lines #57 (Park Merced) and #48 (Quintara) stop directly in front. BART users should exit at Civic Center, then transfer to MUNI underground, or exit at Daly City and take the #57. West Portal Avenue has metered spots, plus two paid lots which are free after 6:00 PM. Residential side streets also offer free parking, but tend to fill up. Parking should be easy- West Portal is pretty quiet even on a Friday evening.

ATTENDANCE POLICY--

Plans change, but if yours do, please update your RSVP. The Organizers take note of no-showing, habitual 'Placholding' or frequent late cancels, which can lead to your membership in this group being revoked. CRASHING (showing up without RSVPing - even if you see other people have canceled) is cause for removal. This walk is ony open to City Steps members.

DOGGIE GUEST RULES--

Well-behaved dogs are welcome on this walk. Dogs love Mount Davidson. Park rules require they be on leash. Please note that coyotes have been spotted in this park.

LIABILITY & SAFETY--
You are responsible for your own safety on all City Steps walks. Your yes RSVP confirms that you have read and agree to our Liability Waiver which can be found at the bottom of every Meetup page.