Mt Tamalpais Summit-Shaver Grade Loop

Mt Tam Bike Trail - Mt Tam Summit Shaver Loop – 18.5 miles; 2530’ elevation gain – Ross, CA
(An Epic mountain bike ride from Lake Phoenix up Eldridge to the top of the East Peak of Mt. Tam, where you’ll be rewarded with some of the most beautiful views in the Bay Area. Descend down Eldridge trail, around Lake Lagunitas, past Bon Tempe Lake, and down Shaver Grade.)

Directions: 101N; Sir Francis Drake (west); left on Lagunitas Rd; immediate left; 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’) Go 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 3-way with Lakeview (another trail). (NOTE: If you’ve had enough climbing, then bear right onto Lakeview and follow the directions on a shorter Eldridge/Lagunitas Loop (in reverse), BUT FIRST bear left and check out the incredible view another 100 yards up Eldridge.) This stretch of Eldridge offers magnificent views San Pedro Mountain, (San Quentin – if you dig that), Richmond Bridge, the Bay and beyond.
5.3 (1450’) Right at intersection with Indian Fire Road and continue another 2.6 miles up Eldridge. Take in the views of the city and around 1800’ at a sharp switchback, take the trail to right out a few hundred feet and check out the views from Inspiration Point.
7.7 Cross East Ridgecrest Blvd (the paved road that takes you to the top of Mt. Tam.) and continue on a paved trail to East Peak.
7.9 Arrive at East Peak (2340’). Once you’ve taken in the magnificent views of San Francisco, the Pacific Ocean, and Angel Island head back down Ridgecrest Blvd or the paved trail.
8.1 Right/Straight back down Eldridge.
10.5 Straight past the intersection with Indian Fire Road, and
11.6 Straight through the intersection with Lakeview (Eldridge goes Right, so you’ll now be on Lakeview). After a few tight turns, this launches into a fast slight downhill and heads into some redwoods where you’ll take a Left.
12.2 Left on Lagunitas, bearing right at intersections, around Lake Lagunitas, and crossing three wooden footbridges.
13.2 Turn Right at a small sign that reads “walk your bike the next 150 feet”. The trail continues across Lagunitas Dam and then takes a left into a parking lot.
13.5 Ride out Sky Oaks Road for just over a mile (you’ll climb briefly about half-way into this section and as you begin to descend, you’ll see trail on the right).
14.7 Right onto Shaver (770’), which has some rolling hills..
15.4 Right at Five Corners (530’) go Left at the fork and continue on Shaver back to the four-way intersection with Eldridge Grade and Fish Gulch.
16.4 Left back around Phoenix Lake to the Natalie Coffin Greene Park entrance.
17.4 Ride down Lagunitas Rd to Ross.
18.5 Arrive Ross Common.