This 16+mile hike was a long journey with much variety between the many trails we ventured, with beautiful views of the bay and ocean. Bring plenty of water!!!!

We started the day with some morning haze through the open winding Dipsea Trail which lead us to the lush Steep Ravine trail that wound through the redwood forest along the creek, over bridges and up rocks and roots and around beautiful trees.  The Pantoll ranger station was a nice central halfway pitstop with restrooms, maps, picnic and camping areas, and  many trails in all directions. We continued the next stretch along the wide open and sunny Old Stage Fireroad, with beautiful wildflowers and views of the ocean and mountain valley below. We came to the next popular pitstop, West Point Inn, surrounded by beautiful scenic views and picnic tables beside the historic Inn. It was becoming extremely hot at this point so the next stretches up the Old Railroad Grade, Tavern Pump and Fern Creek Trails took a lot more effort. While the ORG trail was open, shade was far between. The Tavern trail was extremely overgrown. The Fern Creek Trail is full of steps and boulders with narrow trails and overgrowth and sporadic shade. Reaching the visitors center was such an accomplishment! Then the last stretch up to the fire lookout was full of more rock climbing but beautiful views and open air, ending at the Gardner fire lookout at the top of East Peak! From here you can see lakes, the rest of Mt Tam around you, at least 3 of the bridges(GG, Bay, San Rafael), out to Marin Headlands and SF, Mill Valley, even up to the north bay and past San Quentin the to the East Bay and Mt Diablo!

Bring lots of Water!! There was nowhere to refill since Pantoll station. So running out just as we started to descend made the returning hike in the extreme heat difficult. Although we didn't get more water until we reach the Bootjack Campground, the shade provided along the Nora and Matt Davis trails was a complete life saver. Even in the decent, the forest trails and valley views, especially the forest in Golden hour in the evening was absolutely beautiful.

Start early, bring lots of water, be ready to climb a lot, and enjoy every second! Amazing experience 🙂