Marin Stables-Phoenix Junction Loop ~ 8.86 Miles

Marin Stables

Canyon Trail - 0.69 mi

This is a quiet tree-covered trail that is cool in the summer and leafy in the Fall.   It goes along a creek (dry in the summer/fall).  The tail end is uphill through a few root-covered switchbacks.

Concrete Pipeline Fire Road - 0.10 mi

Short stretch of level fire road.

Taylor - 0.52 mi

Winding uphill trail with a lot of tree roots.  Very pretty in spring.  No, it's not named after my pony.  And no, he's not named after it.  From page 220 of  Tam Trails, "Taylor Trail was buildt in the early 1930's.  It was named for Lawrence Taylor ... an avid equestrian."

 

Taylor comes out behind the Ranger Station.  There's lots of things to spook at - construction machinery, etc.  But there's also a watering trough for thirsty ponies.

Sky Oaks

Sky Oaks Trail - 0.10 mi

Coming out through the gate and staying on the south side of the road is, I guess, called Sky Oaks Trail.  When you see the parking lot, cross the road and squeeze by the logs to find the trailhead.

Spur - ?

To the right is a small spur road that goes to the golf course.  Some folks like to do a little canter down to the end, and then walk back.  Other than that, it's not real memorable.  According to Tam Trails this "enters private property" and he doesn't describe/measure it.

Bullfrog Fire Road 0.83 mi

To the left is Bullfrog Fire Road.  It passes through the quarry.  And there's lots of scary things here.. like Morgan-eating tree trunks and construction equipment.  The road passes a part of Alpine Lake that supports some large bullfrogs who sit on the rock until they see/hear you.

San Rafael - Bolinas Country Road ~ 0.1

Bullfrog ends at a gate.  On the other side is a tiny parking area.  In the spring, it's cool to sneak over a little hillock, look down into Alpine Lake, and listen to the frogs.  I can see the rushes where my oldest son, Christopher, at age 10 or so, lost his glasses on a hike with Dad. 

 

The road wanders along Alpine Lake for a bit and there's a parking lot .

Turn right through the parking lot, past the outhouse, toward the dam.  At the top you have to cross a bridge over the spillway.  It feels pretty narrow when a couple and their dog crosses from the other direction!

Bon Tempe Dam trail - 0.3

Always fun.  On the right is Alpine Lake.  On the Left, Bon Tempe Lake.   Always lots of Double-crested Cormorants on the logs sunning themselves. It feels a bit "naked" up there when dogs (offleash) come bookin' across the dam.

Bon Tempe Shadyside Trail - 1.3

I think this is one of the coolest trails on the mountain.  Flowers in the spring, turtles in the summer, and mushrooms in the fall.  Waterbirds all year 'round.   And need views.  And special Douglas Fir trees.  And several creeks or bridges to cross.  Cool.

Sky Oaks Road ~ 0.1

Trail goes across the bridge, through the parking lot, and down to the end of the access road. 

Pumpkin Ridge Trail - 0.41 mi

Trail goes off to the left.  There's some railroad tie steps that can be horse challenging.

Madrone Trail - 0.91 mi

Interesting trail down hill with lots of switchbacks.

Concrete Pipeline Fire Road - 0.4 mi

At the end, take a right.  Trail goes slightly down hill along a ravine and intersects with Fish Gulch Trail which goes back 270 degrees.  There is no marker.

Fish Gulch Trail - 0.57 mi

Drops off steeply.  I find myself grabby cantle and still feeling like I'm going to pitch over Taylor's ears.  The trail parallels Fish Gulch Grade across the canyon.  At the end is a challenging set of steps.

Phoenix Junction (200')

Shaver Grade - 0.3 mi

Lots of bikers are on this flat road.  Once in a while you'll get a chance to see a pileated woodpecker.  Off to the right is a signed Hidden Meadow trail.

Hidden Meadow Trail - 0.77 mi

A nice trail through Hidden Meadow.  In the spring, the flowers can be gorgeous.   In the middle there's some annoying switchbacks as you start up the hill.  The trail is pretty, with some great glipses of Mt. Tam now and again.  At the top of the hill the trail comes out of the trees and skirts the edge of the hill into the sunshine and then ends at Six Points.

Dryocopus pileatus

Six Points (550')

Bald Hill Trail - 0.67

A neat trail with gorgeous views of Mt. Tam.  In my hiking life I often used to see Red-tailed hawks swirling with Tam in the background with my faithful canine companion, Susie.  She's gone now, and Taylor doesn't do the "curl up the lap while eating the PB&J quite as well.  But not because he doesn't try!

The trail near Six Points is very cool, in the midst of Douglas Fir as well.   The last bits require some carefully placed feet.  And it's always fun because Taylor keeps listening to the bikers down below on Deer Park Fire Trail.

Boy Scout Junction

connector fire road ~ 0.1

Twist off to the left and down to connect up again with Canyon Tail.

Canyon Trail - 0.6 mi

Always a challenge to avoid "jigging" back to the barn.

Marin Stables