Quick Mountain Bike Loop on Mt Tamalpais

Mt Tam Bike Trail - Eldridge-Fish Gulch Quick Loop - 9 miles; 1284' elevation gain - Ross, CA

(A great one hour or less mountain bike training ride or 1.5-2.5 hour loop for beginner-intermediate riders up Eldridge Grade, around a beautiful wooded trail on Lake Lagunitas, and down Fish Gulch. A great way of sampling some of the best riding and views that Mt Tam has to offer. )

Directions: 101N; Sir Francis Drake (west); left on Lagunitas Road; immediate left and park in downtown Ross.
Ride:
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 into the woods.
2.1 Left on Eldridge at a four-way intersection with Shaver Grade (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’) Right on Lakeview. (BUT FIRST - Go Left a few hundred yards and take in the great views, and then head back down.) After a few tight turns, this launches your bike into a fast slight downhill and heads into some redwoods where you’ll take a Left.
4.8 Left on Lagunitas and bearing right at any intersections, taking you around beautiful Lake Lagunitas, and crossing three wooden footbridges.
5.8 Right at a small sign that reads “walk your bike the next 150 feet”. The trail continues across Lagunitas Dam.
5.9 Left downhill into a parking lot and head out Sky Oaks Road for a few hunderd yards.
6.2 Right down a paved trail/road and prepare to aim your bike Left onto another fireroad.
6.4 Left on the Fish Gulch Trail and get ready for a very steep and fast descent back to the four-way intersection with Shaver and Eldridge. (NOTE: you'll find yourself exceeding the trail limits quickly and then find yourself facing very sharp curves. Check your bike brakes before heading down. Nothing technical here, just be smart about your descent.).
7.0 Straight through 4-way with Shaver Grade and Eldridge (where you began your climb) back around Phoenix Lake to trailhead.
8.0 Arrive at Natalie Coffin Green Park, and ride down Lagunitas Road to Ross.
9.0 Arrive Ross Common.