The Dipsea Trail

The Dipsea Trail is a 7.1M long trail from Mill Valley to Stinson Beach. As if 676 steps of different heights were not challenging enough, the steep grades and rutted trails make this the most interesting and difficult run in the Bay Area. It passes through Mt. Tamalpais State Park, Muir Woods National Monument, and the Golden Gate Recreational Area, mostly on narrow footpaths.

Years ago, the first marathon I ran started at Stinson Beach on the Dipsea Trail and continued to Muir Woods. This part of the course was difficult enough, and I avoided the Dipsea Trail ever since. Although I loved the climbing, I knew that going down all the steps, steep downhills, and trying to see and not stumble over the roots and rocks in the shaded Muir Woods area would really rattle me. However, after reading some Bay Area Dead Runner's reports on training and racing the Dipsea, I felt inspired enough to put my fears aside and do the Double Dipsea. It is a great experience, especially to marvel the fearless runners that hurtle down the treacherous descents and power up the climbs.

The trail is marked, however there are different options that can make it very confusing and easy to get lost, if running on your own. Race day, the course is well marked with arrows and ribbons along the trail. There are some excellent reports and additional information about the Dipsea Race already posted on the web, please refer to these sites:

Steve "The Dipmeister" Patt's Race Page. Not content to race just the Dipsea or Double Dipsea, Steve also races the Quadruple Dipsea, and has continued to set PR's.

Official Dipsea Race Page.

Stinson Beach-Mt. Tam Ride

My favorite ride, enchanting, mystic and captivating, Mount Tamalpais. To get in over 6,000 feet of climbing, take the Ft. Baker exit on Alexander Road and climb up the Marin Headlands and continue on to Sausalito

Start:

Cross the Golden Gate Bridge and exit at the north parking lot.

Right down the hill on Cozzleman.

Left to join Sausalito lateral under the highway. Becomes Alexander, remain on this road into Sausalito. The road becomes Bridgeway, continue for 3M.

Join the bike path at the freeway, (at Sausalito Cyclery). Restroom and food available.

Left about a 1000 ft. after the second footbridge. If you hit the third bridge, you have gone too far!

Right on Miller Ave. (this road parallels the bike path, stay on Miller until just after Whole Foods. Alexander's on the right.)

Left on Montford and follow the bike route signs up the hill. You will leave Montford (via Molino, Edgewood and continue on Sequoia Valley Road.)

Left on "T" intersection and stay on the road up to the Panoramic Highway.

If you get lost, there is really only one way to the top--up!

Right at Panoramic Highway. Continue up and follow signs to Stinson Beach. Be extremely cautious enjoying this 4M downhill.

Right on Highway 1. Becker's Grocery Store is a good place to refuel. Restrooms are located in the Stinson Beach Park.

Continue on HWY 1 for several miles.

Right at "+" intersection, Fairfax-Bolinas Road. This road is easy to miss, so look for the first right after the lagoon. (don't let the darling seals distract you too much! Looks almost like a private drive. If you see the Olema Valley sign, you have gone too far.) Go up, up, up the hill, for about 14M......You will be rewarded with the spectacular views that many automobile commercials show in their ads.

Right at Ridgecrest at the top of the hill after the cattle guard. Don't be fooled, there is still more climbing! This is a good time to remember a song from The Sound of Music. The beauty and expansiveness of Mt. Tam will inspire you to burst out, "The Hills are Alive....." You may actually start to imagine Julie Andrews running across the hills. (This will quickly become very annoying because you will not be able to get this out of your head until you reach HWY 1.)

Right on Pan Toll Road.

Right onto the Panoramic Highway. Do not go down Sequoia Valley Road.

Left on HWY 1/Shoreline HWY. Careful, sometimes narrow, winding road with heavy traffic and no bike lane in sections.

Right at intersection heading towards SF.

Left onto the bike path (after Dipsea). Cross the footbridge and continue towards the Sausalito bike path and re-trace steps to Sausalito and GG Bridge.

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