This year we made some route modifications by adding a bit of flare and were rewarded for traveling the path less taken.  Parked at White Gate and connected Dipsea Trail and Old Mine to Pantoll, upper Matt Davis and Nora to West Point Inn (thanks to Don's suggestion we enjoyed the beautiful grove of young redwoods), lower Railroad Grade Fire Road to Fern Creek (a long stretch of switchbacks) to East Peak.  Return trip was upper Railroad Grade and Stage Coach to Pantoll then Steep Ravine back to Dipsea.  Steep Ravine trail, with a stream winding through the majestic silent giants, is one of our all-time favorites and proved to be a spirit-lifting finishing stretch and much preferred to the demanding switchbacks of lower Matt Davis to Stinson.