Mt Tam - Eldridge Grade - Hoo-Koo-E-Koo Loop

Mt. Tam Summit - Eldridge - Hoo-Koo-E-Koo Mountain Bike Loop – 19.1 miles; +3198’ - Ross, CA

(Climb to the East Peak of Mt. Tam via Eldridge Grade and loop back around on Old Railroad Grade and Hoo-Koo-E-Koo, where you'll see incredible views of the Pacific and San Francisco. There's lots of tough climbing but the views, descent, and trip past the West Point Inn make it all worthwhile. )

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.
1.07 Ride up gated trail around right side of Phoenix Lake, hugging it until the trail heads away from the lake.
2.02 Left on Eldridge at a four-way intersection with Shaver (hard right) and Fish Gulch (straight).
2.76 (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.
4.06 (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 either the Eldridge/Lagunitas Loop or Eldridge/Shaver Grade Loop.)
5.11 (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.
7.56 Cross East Ridgecrest Blvd (the paved road) and continue up to the top of East Peak.
7.86 Arrive at East Peak, enjoy views of San Francisco, the Pacific Ocean, and Angel Island, head down Ridgecrest Blvd just past Eldridge.
8.16 LEFT through Gate onto Old Railroad Grade for over three miles of downhill bliss. Around 1.5 miles in you'll pass West Point Inn. Follow the trail counterclockwise around the Inn and keep going downhill.
11.49 LEFT onto Hoo-Koo-E-Koo trail, and continue to enjoy phenomenal views of San Francisco and the Pacific Ocean interspersed with stints through dense groves will waterfalls. You'll descend below 1000' in elevation and then climb back up to above 1200'.
13.28 LEFT up a very steep but short section of Blithedale Ridge.
13.34 LEFT up Indian Fire Road, which is also very steep for the first few hundred yards.
13.91 Straight/Right onto Eldridge Grade (where you were at the 5.11 mile mark) and smile because it's downhill all the way.
15.0 RIGHT continuing on Eldridge trail.
16.3 RIGHT continuing down Eldridge.
17.05 RIGHT at four-way intersection continuing back towards Lake Phoenix.
18.00 ARRIVE Natalie Coffin Green Park and head down Lake Lagunitas Road.
19.08 ARRIVE Ross Commons, Ross, CA.