Steep Ravine - Dipsea 3/5/19

This is a favorite early spring hike. Wendy says that we should see Giant Wake Robin, Redwood Evergreen Violets, Star Lilies, Smith’s Fairy Bells, Fetid Adder’s Tongue and Calypso Orchids.

We’ll go up Steep Ravine since some of us find the ladder is easier to go up than down. Lunch (and restrooms) at Pantoll.  (Click here for a recap of our 2010 hike).

If you use poles, this hike is one where you'll want them. There are lots of stairs on the downhill. 1100' up and 1100' back down.

Directions to the trailhead:  If you are heading south on Highway 1, simply continue south on Highway 1 through Stinson Beach. The gated road to Steep Ravine cabins will be on your right. There is some parking on both sides of the road.

From southern Marin, take the Stinson Beach/Hwy 1 exit off Highway 101. Go through Tam Junction, stay on Rt. 1 and follow signs to Muir Beach. Pass the road that goes to Muir Beach staying on Rt. 1 (towards Stinson Beach), pass Slide Ranch, and keep going until you see the locked gate for the Steep Ravine cabins on the west (left) side of the road. There is some parking on both sides of the road.

Click here for a Google map that shows the Steep Ravine Trailhead and parking area on Highway 1.

Time: 1 hour 5 minutes from College of Marin.
No restrooms at the trailhead.

Carpoolers can meet at the Greenbrae Park & Ride lot at 8:50 a.m.(Click here for a map showing the parking lot; click to get driving time and directions from your location.)

Weather forecast: As of Thursday, February 28th, the forecast for the hike was cloudy with rain likely and a high near 53. (Click here for an updated forecast.)

More on this hike: If you have the Martins' book, Hiking Marin, look at their hike "B14 Dipsea - Steep Ravine Trails" which starts at Pantoll, goes down the Dipsea, up Steep Ravine, and ends back at Pantoll.

Since we're beginning and ending our outing on Highway 1, our hike will be slightly longer, but basically the reverse of the Martins' hike. (Page 6 of the Mt. Tam State Park brochure has a park map that you can "zoom in" on to see these trails).

Here is the Google Earth image showing our route:

 and the hike profile: