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Our Mission Mount The mission of the California Department of Parks and Recreation is to provide for the health, inspiration and education of the Tamalpais people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, The panorama from State Park protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities the 2,571-foot peak for high-quality outdoor recreation. is breathtaking. On a clear day, view the Farallon Islands 25 miles out to sea, the Marin California State Parks does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities. Prior to County hills, San Francisco arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park at the and the bay, and the hills phone number below. To receive this publica- tion in an alternate format, write to the Com- and cities of the East Bay munications Office at the following address. and Mount Diablo. 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.govv

Discover the many states of California.™

Mt. Tamalpais State Park 801 Panoramic Highway Mill Valley, CA 94941 (415) 388-2070

Printed on Recycled Paper Recycled on Printed Parks State California 2007 ©

to the redwood-filled canyon of Muir Woods. Woods. Muir of canyon redwood-filled the to Lupine

(415) 388-2070 (415) transport visitors from the top of the mountain mountain the of top the from visitors transport can be viewed at the barn on East Peak. East on barn the at viewed be can

94941 A C alley, V Mill In 1907 a gravity car line was designed to to designed was line car gravity a 1907 In Boulevard in 1922. A replica of a gravity car car gravity a of replica A 1922. in Boulevard

Indians hunted hunted Indians

ighway H Panoramic 801 paralleled itself five times within 200 yards. yards. 200 within times five itself paralleled automobile and the construction of Ridgecrest Ridgecrest of construction the and automobile

These California California These

Mt. Tamalpais State Park State Tamalpais Mt.

known as the “Double Bow Knot,” the track track the Knot,” Bow “Double the as known cars remained popular until the advent of the the of advent the until popular remained cars

Marin County. County. Marin

est Railroad in the World.” In the section section the In World.” the in Railroad est The Scenic Railway and its famous gravity gravity famous its and Railway Scenic The

present-day present-day

plete circles, earning it the title of “Crooked of title the it earning circles, plete - to Mill Valley. Valley. Mill to

Discover the many states of California.™ of states many the Discover throughout throughout

to negotiate 281 curves, equivalent to 42 com 42 to equivalent curves, 281 negotiate to - summit, down to Muir Woods, and then back back then and Woods, Muir to down summit,

water sources sources water

v www.parks.ca.gov

the summit was so steep that the railroad had had railroad the that steep so was summit the sightseers to travel from Mill Valley to the the to Valley Mill from travel to sightseers

inhabiting areas near near areas inhabiting

and restaurant. The slope from Mill Valley to to Valley Mill from slope The restaurant. and mph. The addition of the gravity cars allowed allowed cars gravity the of addition The mph.

711, TTY relay service relay TTY 711, fore Europeans arrived, arrived, Europeans fore

mountaintop and the Summit Tavern, a hotel hotel a Tavern, Summit the and mountaintop mountain to Muir Woods at an exhilarating 12 12 exhilarating an at Woods Muir to mountain

(916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. the outside 653-6995, (916) - be years of thousands

pleted in 1896, carried visitors to the scenic scenic the to visitors carried 1896, in pleted open-air cars carried passengers down the the down passengers carried cars open-air

For information call: (800) 777-0369 (800) call: information For Mount Tamalpais for for Tamalpais Mount

The Mount Tamalpais Scenic Railway, com Railway, Scenic Tamalpais Mount The - Requiring only gravity and a brake, special special brake, a and gravity only Requiring 94296-0001 A C Sacramento,

The Coast Miwok Indians lived on or near near or on lived Indians Miwok Coast The

built to the top of the mountain in 1884. 1884. in mountain the of top the to built . Box 942896 Box . O P.

Native People Native

S ARK P TE A ST A NI OR LIF A C Trails were developed, and a wagon road was was road wagon a and developed, were Trails

and Mount Diablo. Diablo. Mount and ORY IST H L RA CULTU

View of Mt. Tam’s East Peak East Tam’s Mt. of View Mount Tamalpais for recreational purposes. purposes. recreational for Tamalpais Mount

munications Office at the following address. following the at Office munications

exploded after the 1848 gold discovery, used used discovery, gold 1848 the after exploded

recommended for all seasons. all for recommended

and cities of the East Bay Bay East the of cities and

- Com the to write format, alternate an in tion

Residents of San Francisco, whose population population whose Francisco, San of Residents

the 50s. Fog is common, so layered clothing is is clothing layered so common, is Fog 50s. the

- publica this receive To below. number phone

ailway R Scenic Tamalpais Mount

and winter can be cool, with temperatures in in temperatures with cool, be can winter and

and the bay, and the hills hills the and bay, the and assistance should contact the park at the the at park the contact should assistance

with average highs in the 70s and 80s. Fall Fall 80s. and 70s the in highs average with means “bay mountain” or “coast mountain.” mountain.” “coast or mountain” “bay means

arrival, visitors with disabilities who need need who disabilities with visitors arrival,

Spring and summer temperatures are warm, warm, are temperatures summer and Spring (tam-al-pie-us), which roughly translated translated roughly which (tam-al-pie-us),

against individuals with disabilities. Prior to to Prior disabilities. with individuals against County hills, San Francisco Francisco San hills, County

tamalpais East Bay and Mount Diablo. Diablo. Mount and Bay East later changed to the Miwok word word Miwok the to changed later

California State Parks does not discriminate discriminate not does Parks State California

La Sierra de Nuestro Padre de San Francisco. San de Padre Nuestro de Sierra La San Francisco Bay, the hills and cities of the the of cities and hills the Bay, Francisco San This was was This

25 miles out to sea, the Marin Marin the sea, to out miles 25

miles out to sea, the Marin County hills, the the hills, County Marin the sea, to out miles and Father Juan Crespí, named the mountain mountain the named Crespí, Juan Father and

foot peak includes the Farallon Islands 25 25 Islands Farallon the includes peak foot In 1770 two explorers, Captain Pedro Fages Fages Pedro Captain explorers, two 1770 In

view the Farallon Islands Islands Farallon the view

The breathtaking panorama from the 2,571- the from panorama breathtaking The peans, however. however. peans,

and animal species. species. animal and of life changed soon after the arrival of Euro of arrival the after soon changed life of -

is breathtaking. On a clear day, day, clear a On breathtaking. is

diverse environment for a wide array of plant plant of array wide a for environment diverse complex and intricate language. Their way way Their language. intricate and complex

intersect these ridges and slopes to create a a create to slopes and ridges these intersect basketry, dances and ceremonies, and a a and ceremonies, and dances basketry,

for high-quality outdoor recreation. outdoor high-quality for the 2,571-foot peak peak 2,571-foot the

canyons filled with solemn redwood groves groves redwood solemn with filled canyons Coast Miwok had a rich culture that included included that culture rich a had Miwok Coast State Park State cultural resources, and creating opportunities opportunities creating and resources, cultural

ridges, grasslands and oak woodlands. Deep Deep woodlands. oak and grasslands ridges, T obsidian from Lake County tribes. The The tribes. County Lake from obsidian

protecting its most valued natural and and natural valued most its protecting

he panorama from from panorama he

hillsides cloaked with chaparral-covered chaparral-covered with cloaked hillsides unobtainable resources, such as high-grade high-grade as such resources, unobtainable

the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, diversity, biological extraordinary state’s the Tamalpais

It captures our attention with its sweeping sweeping its with attention our captures It from clamshells, trading them for locally locally for them trading clamshells, from people of California by helping to preserve preserve to helping by California of people

majestically from the heart of Marin County Marin of heart the from majestically . . health, inspiration and education of the the of education and inspiration health,

fish. They made baskets and disk beads beads disk and baskets made They fish.

Parks and Recreation is to provide for the the for provide to is Recreation and Parks

Bridge, Mount Tamalpais State Park rises rises Park State Tamalpais Mount Bridge, - shell and plants, marsh flora, gathered and

Mount

eatet of Department California the of mission The

orth of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Gate Golden Francisco’s San of orth

small animals and deer, collected acorns, acorns, collected deer, and animals small Our Mission Our

Conservation Efforts was created due to its location near the San occasional mountain lion can sometimes be firewood and restrooms with flush toilets are programs are conducted by volunteer Spectacular Andreas Fault, one of the world’s most active seen roaming the mountain slopes. Bears nearby. There are no showers. Campsites docents. The visitor center offers displays Over the years millions of people have views of the San flocked to the mountain, affectionately faults. Over millions of years, the mountain and elk once wandered the land, but van- Francisco Bay are available first-come, first-served. and merchandise. called “Mount Tam,” to relish the spectacu- has risen from the earth’s crust, while ero- ished as a result of hunting and ranching area from the Rocky Point-Steep Ravine Environmental Free guided hikes are available on week- lar views while hiking on its many trails. sion has left only solid rock exposed in the before the park was established. Verna Dunshee Campground, on a marine terrace one mile ends. Moonlight hikes, Wednesday Night Successive generations of Mount Tam highest peaks and ridges. Birdwatchers can view more than 150 spe- Trail near the East south of Stinson Beach, has seven primitive hikes and various special event hikes are enthusiasts have worked hard to protect the Common rock types in the area are sand- cies of birds within or very near the park. Peak. The trail is sites and nine rustic cabins. Each cabin has offered seasonally. For more information and mountain and keep it open to the public. stone (graywacke), shale, greenstone, chert, Red-tailed hawks, northern harriers and tur- mostly wheelchair a small wood stove, picnic table, sleeping schedules, go to www.mttam.net. The oldest of these citizen groups is the quartz tourmaline, and the easily-identified key vultures are frequently seen soaring over accessible. platforms and an outdoor barbecue, but no Free astronomy programs are offered at Tamalpais Conservation Club, organized green serpentine, the official state rock of the open grasslands by day, running water. Primitive toilets and water the Mountain Theater on Saturday evenings in 1912. In 1928 William Kent, an ardent California. while the sounds of great faucets are nearby. from April through October. Families can Marin County conservationist, and his wife Plant Life horned, spotted barn and Reservations for this enjoy multimedia programs on astronomy donated 200 acres of land in Steep Ravine The varied topography and soils of Mount screech owls occupy the Mountain Theater campground are highly and the space sciences. Following each pro- to help create Mount Tamalpais State Park. Tamalpais support a tremendous diversity night. The hollow drill- The Mountain The- recommended. gram, members of the San Francisco Amateur The park was later enlarged through the ef- of plant life. More than 750 plant species ing of pileated, acorn, ater, officially the The Alice Eastwood Astronomers make telescopes available. forts of a number of hiking clubs led by the and hairy woodpeckers Cushing Memo- Group Camp entrance can be found within the park. Hikers pass ACCESSIBILITY Tamalpais Conservation Club. These organi- adds to the forest sounds. rial Amphitheatre, gate, located on the through open grassland, chaparral and oak- • The accessible Verna Dunshee Trail at zations orchestrated a grassroots campaign Along the coastline, there was constructed Panoramic Highway covered knolls, or descend through dense East Peak offers fantastic views of the bay. are numerous oceanic and out of natu- near the Mountain to purchase additional state park land. stands of Douglas fir and California laurel into Two accessible tables, accessible rest- intertidal birds to identify. ral stone by Home Inn, has two deep, fern- and redwood-filled canyons. rooms, pay phones and drinking fountains The State Park Today the Civilian sites for organized In spring the slopes of Mount Tamalpais Red-tailed Hawk are located near the access points of this Now one of the oldest and most popular RECREATION Conserva- come alive with the vibrant colors of wildflow- groups of 25 to 50. half-mile loop trail. Accessible parking units of the California State Park System, the Hiking ers. Hillsides are sprinkled with California tion Corps Both camps have is near the picnic area by the trailhead. park has grown to 6,300 acres. Completely Hikers can enjoy more than 50 miles of trails in the 1930s. It tables, barbecue grills surrounding Muir Woods National Monu- poppies, lupines, Douglas irises, goldfields Routes of travel between the restroom, within the park that connect to a 200-mile holds 3,750 people and can be reserved and a large area for tents. parking and picnic area are accessible. ment, the park is bordered by Marin Munici- and shooting stars. Spotted coralroot, fetid trail system traversing land managed by for special events. Each spring since 1913, Frank Valley Group Horse Camp, on Muir • The Mountain Theater has a wheelchair pal Water District land on the north and by adder’s tongue and Pacific trillium are among the Marin Municipal Water District and the the Mountain Play theatrical company has Woods Road about one mile north of Highway platform on the right side of the theater. the Golden Gate National Recreation Area the plants that hide in the deep shade of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. presented outdoor productions of Broadway 1 at Muir Beach, has tables, fire rings, piped For further information, contact the Pan- on the northwest and south. forest. Day-Use Areas musicals. For information on the Mountain drinking water, pit toilets, two horse troughs toll Ranger Station at (415) 388-3215. Animal Life Bootjack Picnic Area, on the Panoramic High- Theater and its performances, contact the and corrals for up to 12 horses. Reservations • The Mountain Play offers signed perfor- NATURAL HISTORY Raccoons, gray foxes, squirrels, bobcats, way a quarter-mile northeast of Pantoll, has Mountain Play Association at (415) 383-1100. must be made at least 48 hours in advance. mances and descriptive services. Ameri- Geology coyotes, herds of black-tailed deer and an Call (800) 444-7275 for campground reser- can Sign Language interpretation is pro- Many people think the 2,571-foot peak is tables, stoves, piped drinking water and flush Camping vation information. vided during the first three performances the remnant of an extinct volcano. However, toilets. It accommodates up to 50 people. Several campgrounds are open all year. East Peak summit has picnic tables, an Pantoll Campground, on the Panoramic each season. Please call the Mountain geologists believe that Mount Tamalpais Interpretive Programs accessible restroom, a visitor center staffed Highway, has 16 family sites about 100 yards Play Association at (415) 383-1100 for Supported by the Mount Tamalpais Inter- on weekends, and a refreshment stand open from the parking area. Phones, drinking water, dates and reservations. pretive Association, most interpretive intermittently during the summer. • Cabin #1 at Steep Ravine is accessible.