Mount Tamalpais
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Mount Tamalpais | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Elevation | 2,571 feet (784 metres) |
| Location | California, USA |
| Range | Pacific Coast Ranges |
| Coordinates | |
| Topo map | USGS San Rafael |
| Type | Sedimentary |
| First ascent | 1826 by Jacob Leese |
| Easiest route | Railroad Grade fire trail |
Mount Tamalpais ("Mount Tam") is a peak in Marin County, California, USA, often considered symbolic of Marin County. Its name, first recorded in 1845, is said to be derived from a Miwok word meaning "Sleeping Maiden", because it resembles the silhouette of a reclining woman; the point of view from which this is obvious is not recorded. However, when viewed from the East Bay, in the vicinity of San Pablo, the mountain does give a semblance of a woman, with the two peaks as breasts, the north slope as her trunk, hips, legs, and the south slope as her head.
Contents |
[edit] Recreation
The mountain is the main feature of the Mount Tamalpais State Park, Muir Woods National Monument, and contiguous Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD) watershed recreational area, and adjoins the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Point Reyes National Seashore providing nearly 40 miles (64 km) of continuous publicly accessible open space. It is a popular hiking, picnicking, mountain and road cycling, horseback riding, and hang-gliding destination for residents of the San Francisco Bay Area, with over 100 miles of trails and fire roads. With numerous trailheads, a well-networked trail and road system, and hikes of greatly varying length and difficulty, the mountain offers a compelling range of attractions. MMWD maintains several reservoirs on the north slopes of Mount Tam: lakes Alpine Lake, Kent Lake, Bon Tempe, and Lagunitas.
The western slopes of the mountain descend to the Pacific Ocean at Stinson Beach, California. The annual Dipsea Race traverses the mountain from Mill Valley to Stinson Beach. Though backpack camping isn't allowed, a walk-in camp exists at the Pan Toll ranger station. Trailhead parking within Mt. Tamalpais State Park is available generally with a self-service fee. The scenic Ridgecrest Blvd. running along the ridgeline between the Rock Spring trailhead and Fairfax-Bolinas Road, with panoramic views of the summit, Pacific, San Francisco, Bolinas, and Point Reyes, is featured in many auto and other video and print advertisements, as well as being the local hang-gliding launch point. Mount Tam is also home to the Edgewood Botanic Garden and to the Cushing Memorial Amphitheater where musical productions are performed every year by the Mountain Play Association. Monthly astronomy viewings and lectures are held at Rock Springs and Mountain Theater April through October.
[edit] Hiking
Among the more popular trailheads on and about Mt. Tam are:
MMWD:
- Bon Tempe Trailhead: parking (fee), toilet
- Carson Falls: parking
- Cataract Falls: parking
- Deer Park: parking, water, toilets
- Fairfax-Bolinas Rd. summit: limited parking
- Phoenix Lake Trailhead: parking, water
- Rock Spring Trailhead: parking (fee), water, toilets
- Sky Oaks Trailhead: parking (fee), water, toilets, phone
- West Blythdale Ave: limited parking
Mount Tamalpais State Park:
- Boot Jack Camp: parking (fee), water, toilets
- East Peak: parking (fee), water, toilets, concession stand, phone
- Mountain Home: parking, water, toilets, phone
- Muir Woods Rd.: limited parking
- Pantoll: parking (fee), water, toilets, camping, phone
- Stinson Beach: parking, water, toilets, phone, stores
Muir Woods National Monument
- Muir Woods Road Trailhead: parking (fee), water, toilets, phone, stores
For additional informations see [Bay Area Hiker - North Bay Hikes]
[edit] Mountain Biking
Many say that the sport of mountain biking originated on Mt. Tamalpais (see section on History of Mountain Biking)
The easiest approach for riders is through the town of Ross, taking Lagunitas Rd. to Phoenix Lake. The available parking at Natalie Coffin Greene Park is rather limited, but you can easily park in the town of Ross or on side streets, and ride up to Phoenix Lake. At the dam, circle the lake to the right and take the easy Shaver Grade which switches back to the mountain. Go left at Sky Oaks Rd. (paved) to reach Lake Lagunitas. The road to the left side of the parking lot allows you to cross the dam at the top and take the easier trail around the right side of Lake Lagunitas. From there you can circle the lake on a level trail, or find a wide, slightly steeper trail to the mountain about 1/8 of a mile out. Another road leads to Eldridge Grade at the far side (East) of the lake.
Mill Valley provides another easy approach to the southern slopes of Mt. Tam via Eldridge Ave. to the Railroad Grade, a wide gently-sloped fire road easy enough for intermediate riders.
[edit] List of Rides with Maps and Detailed Trail Descriptions - Hikers Welcome!
- Eldridge Grade to East Peak 17.7 mi, 2.5-3 hrs
- Pine Mountain Loop 13.4 mi, 2-2.5 hrs
- Ridge Trail to Mt. Barnabe 7.4 mi, 1.5-2 hrs
- Bay View - Shoreline Trails 10.3 mi, 1-1.5 hrs
 Coyote Ridge of Mt. Tam |
 Coyote Ridge view of S.F. Coast |
Other favorite approachs are from the towns of Larkspur and Kentfield.
Much of the mountain trails and fire roads consist of hard rock rather than sandy or "degenerate granite" (DG) surfaces found in the Sierra Nevadas making it ideal for safe and exhilirating downhill riding as well as for climbing.
Note that a 15 MPH speed limit is posted and may be enforced by radar on many routes by Park rangers; and most single-track trails prohibit riding or carrying bikes. Citations may be issued or bikes impounded. In practice, the danger of the above is slight for riders exercising normal caution.
[edit] Geology and Climate
Mount Tamalpais is part of the Coast Ranges, the result of uplift, buckling, and folding of the North American plate as it slides along the Pacific Plate near the San Andreas fault zone. Major rockforms include serpentine, particularly outcroppings near the summit and on the north side. During cold, wet winter storms, the mountain also regularly gets some snowfall, sometimes as much as 6 inches overnight in February 2001, and March 2006. With its height, various faces, and proximity to the ocean and bay, microclimates vary, generally being temperate but ranging from cool and foggy in lower ocean-side redwood-forested valleys to hot and dry on the manzinita slopes, cool and breezy at the summit, and shady on the heavily Douglas Fir forested north slopes near Alpine Lake.
[edit] History
Tamalpais was home to the Mount Tamalpais Scenic Railway, also known as "The Crookedest Railroad in the World", a railroad which meandered its way up to the peak from downtown Mill Valley until the construction of the road to the peak, and the gaining popularity of automobiles. The railroad operated from 1896 to 1930.
Early wireless towers were constructed on the mountain in the early 20th century, only to be destroyed by one of the periodic hurricane-force windstorms.
The U.S. Weather Bureau operated a weather station at the site of the now defunct Mill Valley Air Force Station for many years. It reported that the mountain sometimes experienced very heavy, wet snowfalls during the winter months.
The peak and its surrounding areas are the birthplace of mountain biking. There, in the 1970s, early mountain bikers such as Gary Fisher, Otis Guy, Charlie Kelly and Joe Breeze roamed on their two-wheeled steeds.
[edit] Miscellaneous
Mount Tamalpais State Park now offers AT&T Wi-Fi Service. Visitors with wireless enabled devices may access the internet from within about 200 feet of the Park Ranger Station.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Mount Tamalpais State Park Official Website
- Maps and aerial photos
- WikiSatellite view at WikiMapia
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image from TerraServer-USA
- Surrounding area map from Google Maps
- Location in the United States from the Census Bureau
- Quicktime 360º panorama of East Peak from VirtualParks.org
- Mt. Tamalpais State Park - Facts
- Legends of Mount Tam: San Francisco Chronicle article with accounts of the use and origin of the name.
- Mountain Play Association The group that performs yearly at the amphitheatre on mount Tam.
- MMWD Recreation page with information on hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, and other activities.
- SFAA Tam Star Parties Information on monthly star-gazing and lecture series.
- More Photos of Mt. Tamalpais
[edit] Cycling Links
- Mountain Biking: suggested rides
- Marin County Bicycle Coalition
[edit] Photography
- Mount Tamalpais State Park Slide Show at Parks.CA.gov
