Mt. Tam as the locals and avid hikers of this region call her is a lush and vast State Park in the heart of beautiful Marin County, California. It is where mountains touch the clouds and reach into the Northern Pacific Ocean, and State Park intersects with National Park, creating some of the most amazing hikes in California.
A bit About Marin County
Marin County is located in Northern California, just across the Golden Straight from the City of San Francisco. It is sprawling with rolling hills, groves, and boating communities, also one of the more affluent places in Northern California, and has lovely towns like Mill Valley to discover and enjoy.
If the absolute beauty and engulfment of nature don’t beacon you to visit, perhaps the Marin County Civic Center will draw you in. It is a massive architectural piece of work designed by the Iconic 20th-century American Architect, Frank Lloyd Wright ♥ Weekly tours are available at the Center, you can find more info HERE. My visit and adventure at the Civic Center will come at another date; for this week’s post, we will focus on a must-do hike in Mt. Tam!
Hiking Steep Ravine
Info & Parking
To get to this 3.6 mile of intersecting trails you will want to park at or near the Pantoll Station Parking Lot. There is an $8 parking fee Cash/App (be sure to bring cash as cell service is spotty.) My suggestion is to arrive before 9am to insure a parking spot and beat the crowds to trail.
You can get to the Steep Ravine Trail by hiking in from other trails which will make it a more strenuous and longer hike. I have done it, and it is thoroughly enjoyable and satisfying for the more adventurous hiker, but in this post I am going to share the easiest route to Steep Ravine, as the hike itself is moderately strenuous in certain sections. And, as I have shared before my idea of a perfect hike is the 2-4 mile trail that ends or begins with a tasty breakfast! It is Practically Perfect ♥
Important Info
Sorry friends, No Dogs on or off leash on this trail, as there is a ladder to climb, many bridges to cross, and stairs to walk. It is not a dog-friendly hike and can be compacted with fellow hikers if you go later in the morning and day. Please note that many of the trails at this State Park do not allow dogs, so look up the trail before you go. Dogs are acceptable on paved roads and campgrounds as long as they are on a leash.
And yes, there are clean restrooms to use!
Steep Ravine to Dipsea Trail to Old Mine Trail
This nearly 4-mile loop of old-growth fern-filled trails, that meet cascading waterfalls, that plunge into a rushing creek, (when you go after a good rainy season), opens to Pacific Ocean views with sights of San Francisco, is one of the prettiest little hikes in Mt. Tam. There are some steeper and more strenuous parts to this hike, however, there are plenty of easier (non-inclined) areas to pace yourself and regain momentum. Also do note; the above trail can be reversed.
The smells of lush wet Forrest, sounds of birds, and water flowing, will bring all your senses to a pleasurable state.
Heading Into Steep Ravine
You will first walk on fairly paved bordered trails that lead into the beautiful lush forest, and cross many bridges, that are often along cascading waterfalls. These bits of the trail are easy and can be enjoyed by many.
From this trail, you will descend a large wooden ladder. (Should you decide to reverse the hike you would ascend the latter.) Doing this hike brings out my inner child. I love to run across all the bridges hearing the clomping of my feet against the wood, touch the chilled water descending down into the creek, and climb that ladder a couple of times to fulfill my sense of adventure. It is so much fun!
Winter and early spring are a great time to visit because everything is so lush, and the numerous waterfalls are lively with beautiful flowing water into the active creeks, that pour into the ocean ♥ It feels like you reached deep into a forest and it takes less than a mile to get to some of these spots!
Cascading waterfalls are throughout this hike when you visit after a nice rain fall. The ferns are so green and everything is lush with life.
What you will see
Taking Steep Ravine trail to Dipsea Trail will allow you to immerse yourself into a canyon forest, full of ferns, waterfalls, creeks, bridges, and tall towering trees.
As you make way to Dipsea Trail you will climb many stairs and walk through pine growth forest until you ascend to spectacular ocean views ♥
From Dipsea you will reach Old Mine Trail which will loop back to the Pantoll Station Parking lot. You can also reach bluffs along this trail that allow for some more coastal views.
This is truly a lovely hike and I plan to do it every late winter/early spring!
Where to get a yummy bite
One of my favorite areas is Mill Valley and they happen to have a delicious little cafe that is not too far from Mt. Tam. It is called Sunnyside Cafe and they are the yummiest! After this lovely little hike you will want to refuel and I suggest you do, here! I have dined here several times and can honestly say I have never been disappointed. With fresh ingredients, cooked to order, local roasted coffee, and freshly-squeezed OJ, it is worth the wait, (and if you don’t arrive before 9AM on a weekend, you just might have to.)
Well my friends, until the next adventure; Cheers! ♥
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