So you wanted to see mountains in Mendocino County without leaving Marin County and looking at photos. Or did you want to see the Sierras on a clear winter day without leaving Marin and looking at photos? Well, you are looking at the right place. The East Peak has more highlights than just a view of all of Marin County. Not to mention the very quick but steep climb to the top. East Peak does have some tourists but that is usually during the weekends and the summer. The best time for views is the winter because in the summer, there is the fog and the haze. Directions: Go up Highway 1 to Panoramic Highway. Then go to Pantoll Rd. and go to East Ridgecrest Rd. Continue on East Ridgecrest Rd. until you hit the end of the road. There is a visitor center here too but I do not know if it is open now due to budget cuts. Also, there is the paved Verna Dunshee trail which loops around East Peak. It is flat so if you cannot do even a short climb, you can still have great views. Other options in the area are Eldridge Grade which goes down the Northside of Mt. Tam through mixed hardwood and chaparral. Although you can bike on it, I would not recommend it unless you are experienced because it is very rocky. Fern Creek trail descends the Southside of Mt. Tam and it is very steep so I would not recommend it. If you wanted to go down Mt. Tam’s south slope, try Old Railroad Grade which is easier and once was the crookedest railroad in the world. On the top of East Peak, there is a lookout tower and if you live in Marin, you probably see that little«bump» on top of Mt. Tam all the time. I also like it that there are alot of rocks at the top so you can sit and rest. You can easily find one even if people are all there. There is another path that loop back to Plankwalk trail but I do not recommend it because it is very slippery and fenced off at one end. My only problem with East Peak and all of Mt. Tamalpais roads is rude slow drivers. If you need to drive slow because the road is too windy or you do not know it, I completely understand. If a fast car is behind you though, go look for a pullout and pull in it! We happened to experience this with this Prius driver who parked near East Peak in a place where he did not have to pay any money. I guess he thought having a Prius compensates for that. No it does not, he should care about our state parks which are going underwater. No wonder this selfish person did not pull over, even when there was a parking lot in full view. Kudos though to polite slow drivers, you guys are fantastic!
Alison K.
Fremont, CA
$ 8 for an amazing instagram picture. hell yes! Fortunately, there was no ranger that weekend, so it was free for my friend and I. I can’t get over the fact that this was probably one of the best view points that I got to experience and it’s literally right in the bay! Pretty much you can drive your way up here and hike a short quarter mile to get to this bad boy. The hike isn’t bad at all. It’s a nice walk with some steep steps here and there, but nothing that would make you want to turn back. — Bring cash cause it seems there is no place to get change. — Mt. Tamalpais has TONS of trails that range from easy — difficult, so pick up a map at the Pantoll Ranger Station and become an explorer. — If you want a nice view, make sure to look at the weather first. My friend and I were pretty fortunate that it was only foggy in the morning, but cleared up during the day. — Come early in the morning as I am sure when the weather gets closer to the summer months, it is gonna burn. Trust me, just go. its worth it. Just trust.
