Epic Mt. Tam Twin Peaks Loop - East and West Peaks

Mt. Tam Epic Twin Peaks Mountain Bike Loop – 19.3 miles; 3401’ elevation gain - Ross, CA

(An Epic mountain bike ride to the top of both the East Peak and West Peak of Mt. Tam, where you’ll travel some of the best trails in Marin, take in the most beautiful views of San Francisco and the Pacific Ocean, and conquer some exhilirating downhill trails. Another great training ride for the Sea Otter Classic?)

Directions: 101N; Sir Francis Drake (west); left on Lagunitas Road; immediate left and park in downtown Ross.
0.0 Left on Lagunitas Road to trailhead in Natalie Coffin Greene Park.
1.1 Ride up gated trail around right side of Phoenix Lake, hugging it until the trail heads away from the lake.
2.1 Left on Eldridge at a four-way intersection with Shaver (hard right) and Fish Gulch (straight).
2.9 (450’) Left and continue up Eldridge. You’ll hit a couple of trying 30-50' climbs that will test your lung capacity and balance, but otherwise, it's a smooth fireroad with great views.
4.2 (980’) Left at intersection with Lakeview (another trail). (NOTE: If you’ve had enough climbing, then go right onto Lakeview and follow the directions from mile 11.6 on either the Eldridge/Lagunitas Loop or Eldridge/Shaver Grade Loop.)
5.3 (1450’) Stay Right on Eldridge when you hit Indian Fire Road and continue another 2.6 miles up Eldridge . The last mile of this ride may seem like hell in places if you’re not used to riding trails strewn with “death cookies” – fist-size rocks that pull your bike in every direction.
7.7 Cross East Ridgecrest Blvd (the paved road) and continue up to the top of East Peak.
8.0 Arrive at East Peak, enjoy views of San Francisco, the Pacific Ocean, and Angel Island, head down Ridgecrest Blvd past Eldridge and climbing to the top of and past West Peak (2500' on road).
10.6 RIGHT on Rock Springs trail which goes uphill rather steeply off of the paved road.
11.4 Continue on Rock Springs trail going straight and continue straight through a second intersection.
12.9 LEFT (hard left) on Rocky Ridge and enjoy a fun ride with some rollers in the beginning and these some steep downhill, riding it to Bon Tempe Lake, across the Bon Tempe Dam and following it left down into a parking lot.
15.1 RIGHT onto a gravel road out of the parking lot.
15.7 RIGHT onto a paved road for a hundred yards.
15.76 LEFT through the trail gate onto Shaver Grade Trail.
16.4 RIGHT (hard) at Five Corners continuing downhill on Shaver trail (and bear left after a few hundred yards).
17.4 LEFT at the intersection with Eldridge taking you back around Phoenix and to the parking lot.
18.4 Head down Lagunitas Road back to Ross Common.
19.3-4. END