Mt Tam Summit Hike - 8.6 miles, 1350 ft elev

** This event marks the 5 year anniversary of ET and DR leading hikes under this group! **

We will be doing a moderately strenuous 8.6 mile loop hike on Mount Tamalpais in Marin that involves ascending 1,350 feet to reach the top of Mount Tam’s East Peak (2,571’) and Middle Peak (2,441’). From the summits we will be treated to magnificent 360-degree views of the entire Bay Area. If we are lucky enough to have a clear day we should see all the way to Mt. Diablo to the east, Mt. Saint Helena to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the west and San Francisco to the south. This hike is for INTERMEDIATE HIKERS only. We will not have a sweep, and you will be expected to keep up with the group. After the hike we may go for drinks and food at a bar in SF in the Richmond district.

THIS EVENT HAS A WAITLIST. DO NOT SHOW UP FOR IT UNLESS YOU HAVE RECEIVED AN EMAIL SAYING YOU CAN ATTEND. NO CRASHERS AND NO PLUS ONES.

We will meet at 9:15 am in the Rock Spring parking lot on Pantoll Rd and depart promptly at 9:30 am. Be advised that we are meeting a little earlier than usual to help assure we get parking spots.

We begin the trek by heading east along the Rock Spring Trail, connecting onto the Railroad Grade Fire Rd at mile 1.7. The fire road will give us a bit of a workout as we ascend 800 feet over two miles, taking in some great views to the south along the way. At mile 3.1 we will get onto East Ridgecrest Blvd briefly to reach the East Peak Visitors Center and the restrooms (mile 3.5). From here we will hike along the scenic Verna Dunshee Trail that loops around the East Peak of Mt Tam before heading up the rocky Plank Walk Trail to the East Peak Summit (mile 4.3). At the top we will sit on the rocks around the fire tower enjoying the breathtaking views while we have lunch. After our break and a brief restroom stop we will head west to the Middle Peak Fire Rd that leads us up to Middle Peak (mile 5.5). From there we take the Lake View Trail down to the International Trail (mile 6.0) and the Northside Trails (mile 6.5), connecting to Rock Springs Lagunitas Rd (mile 7.0). Finally, at mile 7.7 we connect onto the Benstein Trail and then the Simmons Trail leading back to the starting point at the Rock Spring parking lot.

Bring plenty of water (although you can refill at the drinking fountain near the East Peak Visitor Center), snacks and/or lunch, and sturdy shoes (as the trails can be rocky at points).

Carpooling
Please use the following link for carpool offers and requests. On the carpool form please indicate your neighborhood for facilitating:
https://groupcarpool.com/t/kdzeiq

Information
AllTrails Route: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/trail-planner-map-36e729e--71
Level: Intermediate level. You will be expected to hike an average of 2.5 to 3.0 miles per hour.
Total Distance: 8.6 mile loop
Elevation Gain: 1,350 feet.
Hiking Time: 3.5 hours plus stops.
Cell Phone Service: Unreliable in this area, so you should assume we won't receive any messages.
Dogs: Not allowed in this area.
Restrooms: At the parking lot (mile 0.0) and East Peak Visitors Center (mile 3.5).

Directions
Driving: We will meet in the Rock Spring Parking Lot. This lot fills up quickly, but hopefully we will arrive early enough to get spots. If the lot is full, proceed north along Ridgecrest Blvd for 0.3 miles to the Quarry Parking Lot and walk back to Rock Spring Lot. Cell service is unreliable in this area, so we recommend you use the Google Maps App to download an offline map of the area ahead of time! Instructions are here.

Liability Disclaimer
The organizers of this event are unpaid volunteers and not expert hiking guides. By signing up for this event you agree to assume all responsibility for your own safety, health consequences, conduct and well-being, and you hereby release its organizers, hosts and participants from any and all liability, claims, demands or causes of action that you now have, or may have in the future, for illness, injuries, damages, and/or economic loss of any kind or nature, arising in whole or in part out of the activities, advice, or information contained herein. You are also acknowledging that you are aware and have made your guests aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with this type of outdoor activity and freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards.