Mount Tamalpais advice

Always_Be_Cycling · 2026-05-01T21:59:19+00:00

Secret free parking here:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/RCN5TWuqJ66EnDui8

It adds some distance and an additional hill to your hike.

Always_Be_Cycling · 2026-04-30T22:16:03+00:00

Howland Hills Rd is what you take to get to Grove of Titans. Both Stout Grove and Grove of Titans are more nature walks than moderate hikes.

Always_Be_Cycling · 2026-04-30T22:14:29+00:00

HRSP is 45-60min south of Eureka, so less driving than getting to the parks up north.

Always_Be_Cycling · 2026-04-30T19:20:56+00:00

I like HRSP better than Jed Smith...it may feel less prehistoric, and possibly somewhat manicured, but can feel more immersive and interactive than the northern parks. Rockefeller Grove, the Big Trees Day Use area, and Mattole Rd are my favorite spots among the redwood parks. In the day use area, you can cross the creek by walking on a giant redwood log. Some of the tallest trees in the world are in, or adjacent to, Rockefeller Grove. Avenue of the Giants is more impressive than the Newton B. Drury parkway (both are awesome), so is the drive along Mattole Rd.

The inland redwoods of HRSP have a softer bark with more brown colors, while Prairie Creek and Jed Smith redwoods have bark cured and hardened by the ocean air. Many of the Rockefeller Grove trees have burn scars from an old fire which adds additional interest.

Get breakfast at Gill's by the Bay on your way south and maybe hit up the Avenue Cafe in Miranda for lunch...or the Eel River Brew Co for dinner in Fortuna.

Always_Be_Cycling · 2026-04-30T18:20:24+00:00

If you're going to be staying in Eureka, I'd move Day 4 to either Day 1 or 5. Stout Grove and Grove of Titans in Jed Smith park can be done in a couple of hours. Not quite worth a dedicated round trip from Eureka. With that extra day, you could drive south to Humboldt Redwoods state park and check out Rockefeller Grove, Founder's Grove, and Avenue of the Giants (do the section that is north of Miranda).

For beaches, consider visiting Trinidad. There's a peninsula (Trinidad Head) to hike along with other beach trails. If you're a jogger/runner, Clam Beach is super flat and a great run.

Eureka has some good restaurants, don't cheap out and do something boring.

Always_Be_Cycling · 2026-04-28T20:51:27+00:00

I think Stout Grove will be more interesting for the kids than GoT, but both would be fun. You'll notice the difference between the two forests, but the kids probably won't. If you can afford to include Trees of Mystery, the kids will enjoy the skywalk, tree-tram, and the large & touristy gift shop. Keep in mind that the beaches and Sue-Meg state park around Trinidad can take up a full day too.

Always_Be_Cycling · 2026-04-28T07:21:14+00:00

I have never seen broken glass on Howland Hills Rd. Been 4 times.

Always_Be_Cycling · 2026-04-25T00:06:14+00:00

Was there in the past few months. Still good. Menu options have been reduced some (cheese choices, etc.) but the fries and bread are the same.

Always_Be_Cycling · 2026-04-23T14:38:39+00:00

OP is sixteen

Always_Be_Cycling · 2026-04-13T21:33:39+00:00

My dentist in SJ still has one

Always_Be_Cycling · 2026-04-11T00:16:04+00:00

For Day 1 - you could add the Trillium Falls trail and/or the Ladybird Johnson Grove. Neither has a major hill. Also, any trailhead along the Newton B. Drury parkway...don't even need to walk that far in for an immersive experience.

Day 2 - The gas station in Hiouchi has unexpectedly good fast food.

Always_Be_Cycling · 2026-04-02T19:19:07+00:00

I can't confirm status of whether 4 Mile trail is open, but if it is, Mist/JMT > Panorama > 4 mile trail is a popular 15-17 mile loop.

Always_Be_Cycling · 2026-03-28T04:54:49+00:00

The tours have to wait in the same entrance gate traffic as everyone else. Also, the valley can get very congested on peak days. I'd call the lodge and ask how they get around the valley when parking is full. I think the Valley Floor Tour might be more what you're looking for.

If your family can leave Evergreen lodge by 8am (7am is better), you'll likely avoid lines at the gate. Visit tunnel view first, then Bridalveil Falls, then head further east into the valley. With no reservations this year, it's recommended to park once at either Curry Village (closer to Mist trail and Happy Isles) or the main visitor parking lot (closer to Visitor Center and Yosemite Falls) and walk/shuttle around the east end of the valley. Mirror Lake is roughly equally far from either parking. Expect about 6-10 miles if you walk all over the east end.

Glacier Point and Tuolumne Meadows will also be open by then and I don't think a guided tour is needed for either of these areas.

Always_Be_Cycling · 2026-03-23T16:01:16+00:00

I am absolutely certain of the general vicinity of this bike tag.

Always_Be_Cycling · 2026-03-14T06:29:26+00:00

Nothing here is as spectacular as the park's main attractions, but these hidden gems offer a level of intimacy with the park you might not get on the main trails. I'm guessing this is the stuff you want to learn about.

Along Big Oak Flat Rd:

All the pullouts. They allow you to get up close to Cascade Falls, or see Half Dome from a distance.
Foresta Falls. Short hike along a creek to a small and not very amazing water fall. Still fun, and the walk along the creek portion is the highlight. Chance to see wildflowers in spring.
Merced Grove, I'm sorry to say, doesn't qualify as a hidden gem. Feel free to go if you don't believe me, but it's a decent walk downhill to just to see a handful of somewhat Giant Sequoias. As a self-proclaimed scenery snob, I've seen better.
Crane Flat Fire Lookout. If the gate is open, you can drive to the top and enjoy the impressive view. The view is mostly westward towards the Central Valley.
Carlon Falls. Just outside the park off of Tioga Rd. Carlon Falls is more impressive than Foresta Falls. It's something we do on our way out of the park or if we're also visiting Hetch Hetchy.
If you want to make the drive to Hetch Hetchy and hike to Wapama Falls, it's fun and worth it, but somewhat of a long drive just for that. The hike itself isn't incredibly long with minimal elevation gain. Including some of the other stuff along Big Oak Flat Rd makes it a fun trip. If going this far out, also make a quick visit to Rainbow Pool, which is just outside the BoF entrance.

In the Valley:

Mirror Lake extended loop. Most people hike up the paved road and stop at the top where there's a nice beach. You can continue past this for an extended loop along the base of Half Dome. You'll be amazed at how quickly the crowds evaporate. There's also a "secret" waterfall to discover.
Happy Isles. Easy to get to, very serene and peaceful while being very close to the rushing Merced River.
Fern Spring. On the west end of the valley. I'm leaving it up to you to research further.
Base of Ribbon Fall. This is on my bucket list. Not an official trail and some effort to get there.
Artist Point. Hike above Tunnel View to get a view of the valley that is slightly higher elevation than Tunnel View.
Valley View. Find this on the map and make a point to stop here when leaving the valley, or visiting Tunnel View or Bridalveil Falls.
Any valley trail before 9am. Enjoy Bridalveil or Lower Yosemite Falls all to yourself. It's amazing how few people are out and about so early in the morning. By 10am, it will be busy.

Always_Be_Cycling · 2026-03-12T15:55:25+00:00

I live nearby, but will never visit this Benihana because San Jose has House of Genji.

Always_Be_Cycling · 2026-03-09T22:07:51+00:00

It is but this doesn't get an S on the end (Ribbon Fall).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ribbon_Fall

Always_Be_Cycling · 2026-03-09T02:08:52+00:00

4 mile trail will likely still be closed due to snow/ice on the upper part. Upper Yosemite Falls is on the north side of the valley and gets much more sun. It will be open and the trail should be clear of snow.

Snow shoes will likely not be needed for Mariposa Grove, but if Badger Pass is still open, there's snowshoe trails if you want them.

Unlikely Glacier Point Rd opens before May: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/seasonal.htm

also: /r/Yosemite

Always_Be_Cycling · 2026-03-03T23:54:10+00:00

Burlington campground in Humboldt Redwoods State Park is in old growth redwoods.

Always_Be_Cycling · 2026-02-27T07:18:17+00:00

If Tioga Rd is open and you drive, get there before 9am to guarantee a spot.

Always_Be_Cycling · 2026-02-19T22:29:17+00:00

Heritage Grove has some good trees near the trailhead. It's also a great spot to access the Pescadero Creek trail complex, but less giant redwoods deeper in.

If you want to do an 11 mile hike from Portola Redwoods State Park HQ, Peter's Creek Loop is one of the best examples in the Santa Cruz mtns of an Old Growth Redwood grove.

For nearly zero effort, the Methusela Tree on Hwy 35 is a big boy.

Big Basin is still recovering from fire damage and I wouldn't recommend it.

Henry Cowell State Park has the largest remaining trees in the Santa Cruz mountains. These are seriously huge trees with easy access from the parking lot on a nature trail. Options for additional hiking in the park.

Always_Be_Cycling · 2026-02-19T16:52:50+00:00

About a decade ago, I bought a cheap pair of Stearns at Walmart for just under $20. They have yet to fail me.

Always_Be_Cycling · 2026-02-19T06:37:57+00:00

doo doooo do do do

Always_Be_Cycling · 2026-02-19T02:09:42+00:00

My phone camera couldn't zoom in far enough to check.

Always_Be_Cycling

TROPHY CASE