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A well organized race that captures the best trails of the Stinson Beach area.


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Map Key

17.2

Miles

27.7

KM

85%

Runnable

1,828' 557 m

High

24' 7 m

Low

3,330' 1,015 m

Up

3,325' 1,014 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

50%

Max Grade (27°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Overview

A competitive trail race that's part of the La Sportiva Mountain Cup. This course captures the best of the Stinson Beach area with big climbs, flat, fast sections, tight switchbacks, rocky, rooty singletracks and a taste of the Dipsea Trail steps.

There are some road crossing so be aware of traffic which can be especially heavy around iconic Muir Woods.

Description

Start at the Stinson Beach parking area and cross over the small wooden bridge west of the Parkside Cafe. Head up Calle del Mar, right onto Buena Vista Avenue and a quick right onto Laurel Avenue, left onto Belvedere and right onto Avenida Farralone which will take you to Willow Camp Fire Rd.

Head up the fire road as it climbs the mountain for the next 2 miles. This fire road looks more like a wide trail at times and less like a road. Start at the intersection with Shoreline Highway. Stay left at the first intersection and then right at the next two until you reach a parking area. The trail will now climb steeply straight up the mountain. The road winds and switchbacks some until you hit the ridge. Once you hit the ridge, you'll follow it up with great views on either side. Towards the end, you'll hit an intersection with the north end of the California Coastal Trail: Section 28 & 29.

Turn right onto this trail. Before long the trail will start to deviate from following the road to the north as the road make a turn east. This trail will continue south until it intersects with the Matt Davis Trail.

Continue straight onto Matt Davis. The trail will go in and out of the woods as it winds it's way east. As you approach Panoramic Highway, this trail will head north, you'll want to continue straight ahead on a short connector cross Panoramic Highway and go into the large paved parking lot. Continue down the paved road in the parking area and watch for the Old Mine sign.

The trail will parallel the Coastal Fire Rd. though it will stay in the shade of the forest. At the end the trail, you'll pop out onto the Coastal Fire Rd. just before the 4-way intersection with Dipsea and California Coastal Trail: Section 30.

Head south on California Coastal Trail: Section 30. The trail will begin descending almost immediately. For the most part, you'll be headed south for the trails entirety though it does wind at times. As you reach the end of the trail, you'll come to an intersection with Heather Cutoff. Turn left onto Heather Cutoff.

The trail starts out dropping on a fairly straight trail. Soon, the very tight switchbacks will start and continue, and continue until you are dropped out in a flat field. Head to your right, looking for a bridge. Cross the bridge and head up the dirt road to Muir Woods Road.

Cross Muir Woods Rd and head up the short connector to the Redwood Creek Trail. Turn left onto Redwood Creek Trail. You'll soon cross over Redwood Creek on a wooden bridge. At the next intersection, stay left along the river. As you approach the end of the trail you'll cross Redwood Creek once again. The trail will emerge onto Muir Woods Road. Cross the road and head up the dirt road until it connects to Dipsea Trail.

Dipsea Trail will climb for awhile before it tops out on Cardiac Hill at a four-way intersection. Continue straight as the woods are left behind and the sky opens in front of you. Climb for awhile longer and then the trail will begin to roll, not gently but overall down nonetheless.

The trail enters the woods for section followed by a long set of downhill stairs before you cross a bridge and head left. The trail climbs steeply and then, once again, begins rolling. Finally, the trail will cross Panoramic Highway, continue a short distance more before the final set of stairs leading to Shoreline Highway.

Cross Shoreline Highway onto paved Arenal Avenue, after pass Parkside Cafe on your left, watch for the small wooden bridge you cross at the very beginning. Cross the bridge again to end at the start/finish line.

Contacts

Shared By:

Tad Davis

Trail Ratings

  5.0 from 4 votes

#1085

Overall
  5.0 from 4 votes
5 Star
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Recommended Route Rankings

#169

in California

#1,085

Overall
26 Views Last Month
3,029 Since Jul 20, 2015
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Photos

Topping out the big climb at the Table Rock 27k
Jul 28, 2015 near Bolinas, CA
Striding out on the Matt Davis trail.
Jul 28, 2015 near Mill Va…, CA
Bolinas and the Pacific Ocean, Farralon Islands in sunset. From Bare Knoll off of Matt Davis Trail.
Jan 3, 2019 near Bolinas, CA
Fighting for the women's lead in the 2015 Table Rock 27k
Jul 28, 2015 near Bolinas, CA
The sun sets over the Pacific Ocean on the Matt Davis Trail.
Feb 27, 2017 near Bolinas, CA
Best Picnic spot! Dip Sea Trail and Deer Park fireroad intersection.
Feb 4, 2016 near Mill Va…, CA
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