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Hiking the Dipsea – Steep Ravine Loop in Mt Tamalpais State Park

May 18, 2018 By Jeff H 2 Comments

Hiking the Dipsea-Steep Ravine Loop in Mt Tamalpais State Park

The Dipsea-Steep Ravine Loop is a moderately easy 4.6-mile hike that makes a perfect introduction to Mount Tamalpais State Park, especially when water is flowing in Webb Creek. It offers shady forest, historical points of interest, an actual water fountain on the trail, fern-lined trails through towering redwoods, playful cascades and pools in a cool, deep canyon, and panoramic coastal views. I had hiked up the Steep Ravine Trail when I tackled Mount Tamalpais from Stinson Beach, and I’d been down the Dipsea Trail from Bayview in Mill Valley, but combining the two in this loop makes it a perfect intro to the area for someone who doesn’t have the time or energy for those longer hikes.

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Trail Details
Distance: 4.6 miles
Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 1,093 ft
Dogs: No
When to go: Year-round
This guide describes the upside-down route that begins and ends at Pantoll Campground. Why is it “upside down?” Because unlike most hikes where you hike up at the beginning and down at the end, this is just the opposite; you begin by hiking down, and finish with a climb. Plan accordingly.

Getting to the Trailhead

The Pantoll Campground parking area is at 3801 Panoramic Hwy, Mill Valley, CA 94941 in Mt Tamalpais State Park. The parking area is shared by campers, day hikers, and folks overnighting at the West Point Inn, and there are numerous trails emanating from this central location. There is an $8 per car day use fee, payable through self-registration envelopes at the Pantoll visitor center.

Self registration envelopes at the Pantoll visitor center
Pantoll Campground parking area
Trailhead at the west end of the Pantoll parking area

There are restrooms and water available. The trailhead begins and ends at the south end of the parking area.

Being a loop trail, you could hike this in either direction, but I recommend the clockwise direction described below.

Hiking the Dipsea–Steep Ravine Loop

From the south end of the Pantoll parking lot, head down the Deer Park Fire Road for a short 100 feet, then turn right onto the Old Mine Trail.

Deer Park Fire Road

The Old Mine Trail winds around the hillside under a shady canopy of trees. Along the way, the trail passes a marker for the namesake mine. The Denos Claim never delivered riches, and was sealed years ago. It’s an interesting bit of history though.

Junction to the Old Mine Trail
The Old Mine Trail is well-shaded
Sign marking the Denos Mine

Sturdy bridge on the Old Mine Trail

As you break through the trees, you rejoin the fire road. Just off the trail to your right is Veteran’s Bench. You haven’t hiked far enough yet to warrant a rest, but take a few moments to stop here anyway and soak in the views.

Joan at Veteran's Bench
Commemorative sign on Veteran's Bench
Panoramic view from Veteran's Bench

Continue down the fire road to the junction with the Dipsea Trail at the top of Cardiac Hill. There is a working water fountain here, mainly for hikers on the Dipsea Trail who have hiked (or run) up from the bottom of Muir Woods. Take the junction with the Dipsea Trail to the right where it cuts down across the hillside beneath the Veteran’s Bench, heading towards the Lone Tree Spring.

Dipsea Trail sign

The Lone Tree Spring is just off the main trail. As you near the bend around the hill, watch for a series of stone steps on your right heading into the woods. This short detour takes you about 10 yards off the main trail, but you will discover the Lone Tree Spring, erected in 1917, and across from it, the (no longer) Lone Tree–a towering redwood that once stood alone on this hill.

"Hidden" steps to Lone Tree Spring
Lone Tree Spring

The spring is still running, with a stone trough collecting the water. It looked a little murky, so I wouldn’t drink it without treating the water first, but it’s pretty need to see something that’s been there serving hikers like you for over a century.

Take a moment to reflect on the many people who have visited this place and hiked this beautiful trail over the past 100 years or more. The clothing, shoes and gear has changed, but the sense of awe remains. Step back out to the main trail and continue heading down toward Steep Ravine.

You soon enter a grove of young redwoods towering towards the sky like columns in an old cathedral. The trail quietly switchbacks down into the canyon.

Through the forest and into Steep Ravine Canyon

As you get closer to Webb Creek, the foliage grows thick and lush. You encounter rough hewn steps and the occasional stray rebar sticking out of the trail where a wooden step has weathered away.

As you get further down the ravine, you encounter a series of steps

Finally you can hear the water from Webb Creek splashing down Steep Ravine and catch a glimpse of the bridge at the bottom of the canyon. The other side of the bridge marks the junction of the Dipsea Trail (which continues on to Stinson Beach) and the Steep Ravine Trail (the uphill portion of our loop).

Bridge over Webb Creek in Steep Ravine Canyon

Whenever I’m hiking with a group, we may spread out as we find our own pace, but we always make a point to regroup at junctions, and this bridge is the perfect spot.

From there, head upstream on the Steep Ravine Trail along seasonal Webb Creek. This section of the trail is especially beautiful when the water is flowing as it was when we hiked up. The trail crosses the creek several times on sturdy wooden bridges, and winds between redwoods and up the canyon on steep stone or wood steps.

Sunlight filtering through the redwoods on the Steep Ravine Trail
Steep Ravine Trail along Webb Creek
Beautiful running water

Webb Creek cascades and bridges

After hiking 0.8 miles up the canyon from the junction, the trail climbs a ladder over large boulders before continuing on toward Pantoll. Just another of the ways this trail delights.

0.8 miles up from the junction with the Dipsea Trail

Finally, the trail leaves Webb Creek and heads up the side of the ravine following a series of shade-covered switchbacks. It’s the last push back to Pantoll Camp and the end of the loop.

Final climb out of Steep Ravine and back to Pantoll Campground

Old Mine > Dipsea > Steep Ravine Loop Trail Map & Elevation Profile

© OpenStreetMap contributors
Download file: Dipsea-Steep-Ravine-Loop_5-11-18-105624AM.gpx

 

Dipsea-Steep Ravine Loop Tips & Resources

After hiking, head down to Stinson Beach for lunch. We hit the Siren Canteen. It’s right on the beach and has great Mexican food, wine and beer. The view’s not bad, either.

The Siren Canteen
Siren Canteen on Stinson Beach

Stinson Beach Weather Forecast

The location could not be found.

Originally hiked on May 11, 2018 with Joan. 

Filed Under: Trail Guides Tagged With: 3-6 miles, coastal, Dipsea Trail, moderate, Mt Tamalpais State Park, State Park, Steep Ravine Trail, vista, waterfall

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Jeff H

About Jeff H

I'm an avid hiker and backpacker. My wife Joan and I are on the trails every weekend. I started SoCal Hiker to share my passion for outdoor adventure.

Comments

  1. Sam says

    May 21, 2018 at 11:46 am

    Looks like a nice little route – I like the upside down twist. I’m also a big fan of Mexican food after a hike!

    ~ Sam

    Reply
  2. SoCalActivities says

    June 28, 2018 at 9:48 am

    That is a beautiful collection of photos! Really love the lush, green aspects of this area. Thank you.

    Reply

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