Our Mission The mission of State Parks is he panorama from Mount to provide for the health, inspiration and T education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological the 2,571-foot peak Tamalpais diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities is breathtaking. for high-quality outdoor recreation. State Park On a clear day, view the out to sea, the Marin County California State Parks supports equal access. hills, , San Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park at Francisco, and the hills (415) 388-2070. This publication is available in alternate formats by contacting: and cities of the bay. CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369. (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service www.parks.ca.gov Discover the many states of California.™

® SaveTheRedwoods.org/csp Mount Tamalpais State Park 801 Panoramic Highway Mill Valley, CA 94941 (415) 388-2070

© 2007 California State Parks (Rev. 2010) N orth of ’s Bridge, changed to the Miwok word tamalpais (tam-al- the mountain, affectionately called “Mount Mount Tamalpais State Park rises majestically pie-us), which roughly translated means “bay Tam,” to relish the spectacular views and from the heart of Marin County. Mount Tamalpais mountain” or “coast mountain.” hike its trails. Generations of Mount Tam captures our attention with its sweeping hillsides Mount Tamalpais Scenic Railway enthusiasts have worked hard to protect the cloaked with chaparral-covered ridges, grasslands Residents of San Francisco, whose population mountain and keep it open to the public. The and oak woodlands. Deep canyons filled with exploded after the 1848 gold discovery, used oldest of these citizen groups is the Tamalpais solemn redwood groves intersect these ridges Mount Tamalpais for recreational purposes. Trails Conservation Club, organized in 1912. In and slopes to create a diverse environment for a were developed, and a wagon road was built to 1928 William Kent, an ardent Marin County wide array of plant and animal species. the top of the mountain in 1884. conservationist, and his wife donated 200 acres The breathtaking panorama from Mount The Mount Tamalpais Scenic Railway, of land in Steep Ravine to help create Mount Tamalpais’s 2,571-foot peak includes the Farallon completed in 1896, carried visitors to the scenic Tamalpais State Park. The park was later Islands 25 miles out to sea, the Marin County mountaintop and the Summit Tavern, a hotel enlarged through the efforts of several hiking hills, and the east bay, and and restaurant. The slope from Mill Valley to the clubs led by the Tamalpais Conservation Club. Mount Diablo. summit was so steep that the railroad had to These organizations orchestrated a grassroots Spring and summer temperatures are warm, negotiate 281 curves, equivalent to 42 complete campaign to purchase additional state with average highs in the 70s and 80s. Fall and circles, earning it the title of “Crookedest Railroad park land. winter can be cool, with temperatures in the 50s; in the World.” In the section known as the fog is common. “Double Bow Knot,” the track paralleled CULTURAL HISTORY itself five times within 200 yards. In 1907 a gravity car line was designed to transport Native People visitors from the top of the mountain to The lived on or near Mount the redwood-filled canyon of Muir Woods. Tamalpais for thousands of years before Requiring only gravity and a brake, special Europeans arrived, living near water sources open-air cars carried passengers down the throughout present-day Marin County. These mountain to Muir Woods at an exhilarating California Indians hunted small animals and deer, 12 mph. The gravity cars allowed collected acorns, and gathered flora, marsh plants sightseers to travel from Mill Valley to the and shellfish. They made baskets and clamshell summit, down to Muir Woods, and then disk beads, trading them for locally unobtainable back to Mill Valley. resources, such as high-grade obsidian from Lake The Scenic Railway’s famous gravity County tribes. The Coast Miwok had a rich culture cars were popular until the advent of and a complex and intricate language. However, the automobile and the construction of their way of life changed soon after the arrival of Ridgecrest Boulevard in 1922. A gravity car Europeans. replica is displayed at the new Gravity Car In 1770 two explorers, Captain Pedro Fages and Barn on East Peak. Father Juan Crespí, named the mountain La Sierra Gravity car on Mount Tam’s Scenic de Nuestro Padre de San Francisco. This was later Conservation Efforts Over the years, millions have flocked to Railway, ca. 1900 The State Park Today The Redwood Forest hawks, northern harriers Now one of the oldest and most popular units Mount Tam’s legendary Steep Ravine Trail leads and turkey vultures soar of the California State Park System, the park has hikers along Webb Creek through a stand of over the open grasslands grown to 6,300 acres. Completely surrounding Muir tall redwood trees. The sound of rushing water by day, while the sounds Woods National Monument, the park is bordered prepares visitors for the fragrance of damp earth of great horned, spotted, by Marin Municipal Water District land on the and the sight of ferns along the creek’s banks. barn and screech owls fill the north and by the Golden Gate National Recreation The redwoods form a canopy above the water night. The hollow drilling Area on the northwest and south. cascading over the rocks. Alongside the cascade, of pileated, acorn, and hikers must climb a steep ladder to return to the hairy woodpeckers adds to NATURAL HISTORY Red-tailed Hawk beginning of this beautiful trail. the forest sounds. Along the Geology Animal Life coastline, there are numerous oceanic and Many people think the 2,571-foot peak is the Raccoons, gray foxes, squirrels, bobcats, coyotes, intertidal birds to identify. remnant of an extinct volcano. However, geologists black-tailed deer, and, occasionally, mountain believe that Mount Tamalpais was created due to RECREATION lions sometimes roam the mountain slopes. Bears its location near the San Andreas Fault, one of the Hiking—Hikers enjoy more than 50 miles of and elk once wandered the land, but vanished as world’s most active faults. Over time, the mountain trails in the park that connect to a 200-mile a result of hunting and ranching before the park has risen from the earth’s crust, while erosion has trail system over land managed by the Marin was established. left only solid rock exposed in the highest peaks Municipal Water District and the Golden Gate Birdwatchers can view more than 150 species and ridges. National Recreation Area. of birds within or very near the park. Red-tailed Common rock types here are graywacke Day-Use Areas—Bootjack picnic area, on the (sandstone), shale, greenstone, chert, quartz Panoramic Highway northeast of Pantoll, has tourmaline and the easily-identified green tables, stoves, drinking water and flush toilets. serpentine, California’s official state rock. The area accommodates groups of up to 50 Plant Life picnickers. The varied topography and soils of the park East Peak summit has picnic tables, an support a tremendous diversity of plant life. More accessible restroom, a visitor center staffed than 750 plant species can be found in the park. on weekends, and a refreshment stand open Hikers pass through open grassland, chaparral and intermittently during the summer. oak-covered knolls, or descend through dense Mountain Theater—The 3,750-seat Mountain stands of Douglas-fir and California laurel into Theater, officially the Cushing Memorial deep, fern- and redwood-filled canyons. Amphitheatre, was built of natural stone in the In spring the slopes of Mount Tam come alive 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The with the vibrant colors of wildflowers. Hillsides theater can be reserved for special events. are sprinkled with California poppies, lupines, Each spring since 1913, the Mountain Play Douglas irises, goldfields and shooting stars. Association theatrical company has presented Spotted coralroot, fetid adder’s tongue and Pacific outdoor productions of Broadway musicals. For trillium are among the plants that hide in the deep dates and reservations of Mountain Theater shade of the forest. performances, contact the Mountain Play Association at (415) 383-1100. Interpretive Programs PLEASE REMEMBER Supported by the Mount Tamalpais Interpretive • Camping and fires are permitted only in Association, most interpretive programs are designated areas. conducted by volunteer docents. The visitor • Observe park hours, which vary by season. center offers displays and merchandise. • Dogs are not allowed on trails, on fire Free guided hikes include moonlight hikes and roads or in undeveloped areas. Dogs are Wednesday Night hikes. Seasonal special hikes permitted on leash in the picnic areas and are also scheduled, such as the wildflower hike. campgrounds, except in the Environmental Free astronomy programs take place at the Campground. Dogs must be confined to a Spectacular views of the San Francisco Bay area can vehicle or tent at night. be seen from the Verna Dunshee Trail near East Peak. Mountain Theater on Saturday evenings from April through October. Families can enjoy • Horses are allowed only on fire roads and designated (posted) hiking trails. Camping—Several campgrounds are open all multimedia programs on astronomy and the • Lock your car and take your valuables year. The Pantoll Campground, on the Panoramic space sciences. Following each program, with you. Highway, has 16 sites approximately 100 yards members of the San Francisco Amateur • Learn to identify poison oak. Be alert for from the parking area. Drinking water, firewood Astronomers allow visitors to use their telescopes and restrooms with flush toilets are nearby. There rattlesnakes, mountain lions and ticks. for stargazing. • All park resources are protected by law. are no showers. Campsites are available first- Visit www.mttam.net for updates and details come, first-served. on events and hiking. NEARBY STATE PARKS Rocky Point-Steep Ravine Environmental Angel Island State Park Campground, on a marine terrace one mile ACCESSIBLE features In San Francisco Bay. south of Stinson Beach, has seven primitive sites • The accessible half-mile Verna Dunshee Ferries from Tiburon/Vallejo/San Francisco. and nine rustic cabins. Each cabin has a small Trail at East Peak has fantastic bay views. (415) 897-0715 wood stove, picnic table, sleeping platforms Accessible tables, restrooms and drinking and an outdoor barbecue, but no running fountains are nearby. water. Restrooms and water faucets are nearby. • Spectacular vistas may also be seen from an Four miles east of San Rafael on San Pedro Rd Reservations are highly recommended. accessible .4-mile portion of the Old Mine (415) 456-0766 The Alice Eastwood Group Camp, located on Trail from Pantoll Station and .25 miles of the Samuel P. Taylor State Park the Panoramic Highway near the Mountain Home McKennan Trail. 15 miles west of San Rafael Inn, has two sites for organized groups of 25 to 50 • An accessible campsite, restroom and parking on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. people. Both sites have tables, barbecue grills and are available at Pantoll Station. (415) 488-9897 a large area for tents. • Cabin #1 and campsite #7 at Steep Ravine are Frank Valley Group Horse Camp, on Muir Woods both accessible. Road about one mile north of Highway 1 at Muir • The Mountain Theater has a wheelchair Beach, has tables, fire rings, drinking water, pit platform on the right side of the theater. toilets, two horse troughs and corrals for up to 12 • The Mountain Play Association offers signed horses. performances and descriptive services during Call (800) 444-7275 for campground reservation the first three play performances each season. information. Reservations must be made at least For more information, call the Mountain Play 48 hours in advance. Association at (415) 383-1100. This park is supported in part through the Mt. Tamalpais Interpretive Association P. O. Box 3318, San Rafael, CA 94912 (415) 258-2410 • www.mttam.net