Mt Tam Summit via Railroad Grade -- Great Scenic Ride

Mt. Tam Summit - Eldridge - Hoo-Koo-E-Koo Mountain Bike Loop – 19.2 miles; +3115’ - Ross, CA

(Beginning in Ross, climb to the East Peak of Mt. Tam via Hoo-Koo-E-Koo and Old Railroad Grade both of which afford incredible views of the Pacific and San Francisco, and then descend all the back to Ross via Eldridge Grade -- it's fast and fun. This is a long slow climb, 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.
2.03 Left on Eldridge at a four-way intersection with Shaver (hard right) and Fish Gulch (straight).
2.77 (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.
4.14 (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.)
5.22 (1450’) Bear left onto Indian Fire Road and enjoy some quick switchbacks (CAUTION AROUND SOME OF THE CORNERS). 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.
5.79 Hard Right onto Blithedale Ridge.
5.85 Immediate Right onto Hoo-Koo-E-Koo. Enjoy a great descent for several hundreds yards dropping below 1000' elevation and then beginning the climbing through some wooded sections, past small waterfalls, and take in the views along the way.
7.66 Right onto Old Railroad Grade and stay on this until you reach the West Point Inn. Continue clockwise around the Inn staying on Old Railroad Grade until you reach East Ridgecrest Blvd.
10.98 Right on East Ridgecrest Blvd (a paved road), and take an immediate right onto a paved trail.
11.0 Right onto paved section of I believe Eldridge which takes you to the top of the East Peak of Mt. Tam.
11.29 Arrive at East Peak, enjoy views of San Francisco, the Pacific Ocean, and Angel Island, head down Ridgecrest Blvd and look for a trail on the Right.
11.56 Right on Eldridge Grade, and prepare yourself for some steep technical and at times fast descents over some loose rocks, also known as "death cookies."
14.07 Continue Straight onto Eldridge at the intersection with Indian Fire Road.
15.17 (980') Right onto Eldridge Grade.
16.45 Right onto Eldridge Grade.
17.21 Right at the four-way intersection towards Phoenix Lake.
18.17 Arrive at Natalie Coffin Greene Parking area
19.22 Arrive at Ross Commons.