MATT DAVIS-STEEP RAVINE LOOP
MOUNT TAMALPAIS STATE PARK

 THURSDAY, JULY 21, 2016

DIFFICULTY:  Moderately strenuous

ELEVATION GAIN:  Starts at sea level and climbs to about 1600 feet and then drops back down to sea level.

HIKE DISTANCE:  7.3 mile loop.

GENERAL LOCATION:  Stinson Beach Trailhead

DESCRIPTION:  We will start at Stinson Beach’s Belvedere Avenue, which is right next to the fire station and hike the Matt Davis trail to Pantoll Ranger Station.  We will return by way of the Steep Ravine and Dipsea Trails.  By combining the three trails we see a bit of everything, with waterfalls, redwood, Douglas fir, and oak forests, grassland, canyons, and views galore.  The Matt Davis trail is the longest of the three and consists primarily of woods of California Bays, buckeye, maple, and Douglas Fir.  The Steep Ravine Trail descends down a redwood canyon passing two interesting waterfalls along Webb Creek.  A ten-foot ladder helps in descending the trail at one of the falls.  The Dipsea Trail consists mostly of high grassy hills but reveals fabulous views of Stinson Beach, the Pacific coastline, and Point Reyes and finishes back at Stinson Beach.

TRAVEL TIME/DISTANCE:  2 1/2 hour drive to Stinson Beach.  Hiking time between 4-5 hours.  Return to Lincoln about 6:30pm.  An option for dinner Marin Brewing Company.  Return to Lincoln about 8:30pm or later.  The one-way distance is about 132 miles.  Based upon the length of the drive, a per-person monetary contribution for gas would be appreciated: $18 to be given to driver at beginning of drive.  Detailed driving directions will be handed out to all drivers.

HIKE LEADER/SWEEP: Jim Fisher/Denny Fisher

SPECIAL NOTES:

FACILITIES AVAILABLE:  Bathrooms at Stinson Beach and at Pantoll Ranger Station.

PREPARATION FOR HIKE:  Hiking boots and hiking poles, water, layered clothing, bring lunch.

          RISKS: Poison Oak

QUESTIONS:  Call Denny Fisher at 505-4948

MEETING TIME:  7:15AM - LEAVE AT 7:30AM