Marin Headlands: Rodeo Beach Loop 6 mi & OPTIONAL 8.8 mi Hikes
Details
WAIVER: For us to hold our large events at local parks, the local parks require us to carry insurance for our events. To participate in our events, please sign this waiver (required by our insurance underwriter) for each event. Please do so online prior to arriving (works on mobile):
https://www.sleeplateandhike.com/waiver-signing-form/
Please read our tutorial for hiking in the sun:
https://www.sleeplateandhike.com/tutorials-how-to-hike-in-the-sun/
Level: Moderate
Total Distance: 6 miles round-trip for the standard hike. 8.8 miles for the OPTIONAL hike. The first 4.3 miles are the same for both hikes.
Hiking Time: 3 hours for standard hike. 4.5 hours for the optional hike.
Elevation Change: 1100 feet for standard hike. 1552 feet for the optional hike.
FACILITIES/ TRAILHEAD: Vault toilet
Official Trail Use: No dogs
GPS Coordinates for meeting place:
Degrees Decimal Format for Google Maps:
37.832902, -122.517099
Degrees/Minutes/Seconds format for most cars:
Latitude 37°49'58.5"N
Longitude 122°31'01.6"W
Nearest street address:
For people with older GPS units that do not accept GPS coordinates:
The intersection of Simmonds Rd and Bunker Rd
Getting there:
Please use the Google maps link at the top to plan your own route from your home. And, download the PDF map below onto your phone before you start, or print it out.
NOTE: If possible, use the GPS coordinates when driving as the nearest street address may be a couple of miles away on some of our trips in some GPS maps. The nearest street address is there for people with older GPS units that do not accept coordinates.
Meeting place:
Parking lot at the intersection of Simmonds Rd and Bunker Rd.
Parking:
There is one parking lot at the trail head. Additional parking at the Marin headlands Visitor's Center. Plan to arrive 30 minutes early to find parking and walk to the trail head.
Carpooling:
We will use this link for carpooling:
https://groupcarpool.com/t/db3s25
Please sign up here.
CARPOOLING MANNERS:
Please refrain from trying to negotiate your carpool in the comments, as it is equivalent to sending multiple "Reply All" emails to everyone.
Please start your carpool quest, by first adding yourself to the carpool link above.
Then, use the contact info provided by the driver or rider in the link above to contact them directly and privately.
Please be considerate of others and resist the urge to "Reply All".
Thank you for understanding.
Recommended Map:
https://www.parksconservancy.org/parks/rodeo-lagoon-valley
AllTrails Maps:
Standard 6 mile hike:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/marin-headlands-rodeo-beach-6-miles-9f62eeb?u=i&sh=pyl4xm
OPTIONAL 8.8 mile hike:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/marin-headlands-rodeo-beach-8-8-miles-cc40375?u=i&sh=pyl4xm
Summary:
This scenic loop circles Gerbode Valley, an area slated in the 1960s for urban development but later protected as part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA). The hills surrounding Gerbode Valley, part of the Marin Headlands, are vibrant in the spring with wildflowers, and alive with birdsong and avian acrobatics most of the year, but especially during the fall raptor migration. Views of San Francisco, Marin, and the Pacific coast from the high points along this loop are superb.
In fall, the Marin Headlands is one of the best places on the West Coast to observe hawks and falcons in migration. These southward-bound raptors take advantage of rising air currents, called thermals, to gain elevation for their crossing of the Golden Gate.
Wildlife: In addition to the ever-present turkey vultures, you may see another large black bird, the common raven. These relatives of jays, crows, and magpies are able to make an astounding variety of sounds . And while Poe’s “Nevermore” may not truly be part of their vocabulary, other weirdly human sounds certainly are. Ravens are also great aerial acrobats, and seem to enjoy chasing each other in frenzied pursuit. Wild for Flowers In spring , especially after a wet winter, the hills are decorated with a dazzling display of California poppy, mule ears, paintbrush, Ithuriel’s spear, yarrow, blow wives, and blue-eyed grass. Nearly 50 species are listed in the pamphlet Frequently Seen Wildflowers of the Marin Headlands, available at the visitor center.
Hiking Directions:
Walk east for a short distance on Smith Trail -> left to stay on Smith Trail - > left onto Rodeo Valley Trail -> left for a short distance, then left again onto Bobcat Trail -> left onto Miwok Trail -> left at Miwok Trail Gerbode Valley Parking Lot -> Cross Bunker Road and turn left onto Lagoon Trail. CAUTION: WATCH FOR CAR TRAFFIC WHEN CROSSING THE ROAD. -> right onto Coastal Trail to Rodeo Beach -> right to cross over Rodeo Lagoon -> left and walk next to Mitchell Road. CAUTION: WATCH FOR CAR TRAFFIC. -> continue straight at the end of the road onto Coastal Trail -> left onto Tennessee Point Trail -> left at third junction onto Coastal Trail -> left at third junction to stay on Coastal Trail -> right at next junction to stay on Coastal Trail -> right through the next three junctions to stay on Coastal Trail -> continue straight at the 4-way junction onto Wolf Ridge Trail -> the second junction is Miwok Trail. THIS IS THE DECISION POINT FOR THE 6 OR 8.8 MILE HIKES.
CONTINUATION OF 6 MILE HIKE: Turn right at the decision point onto Miwok Trail -> left onto Bobcat Trail -> right at next junction, the right onto Rodeo Valley Trail -> two rights on Smith Trail to return to the start.
CONTINUATION OF 8.8 MILE HIKE:
Turn left at the decision point onto Miwok Trail -> continue on Miwok Trail through all intersections for 1.2 miles -> continue straight onto Bobcat Trail through all intersections for 2.6 miles -> left onto Rodeo Valley Trail -> two rights on Smith Trail to return to the start.
Some content from Weintraub, David (2004-09-29). Afoot and Afield: San Francisco Bay Area: A Comprehensive Hiking Guide (Kindle Locations 764-778). Wilderness Press. Kindle Edition.