Ring Mountain, Tiburon [Marin County Open Space Preserve]

C - D; 2+ miles                   MAP                INFO  

This is a small park said to be remarkable for its views, geology, and wildflowers in season. I have not been there yet, but Dan Rademacher of Bay Nature Magazine cased it out in Fall 2006 with wheelchair access in mind and sent the report below. Judging by the contour map his "not terribly steep" means laborious but not terrifying.

Here are Dan's observations:

The most prominent trailhead, on Paradise Drive, is entirely impassable -- a wood step right at the get-go. This step is, I guess, only a minor injustice, since the trail from that area is also impassable: steep, narrow, with narrow bridges and rocky areas.

However, the Taylor Road trailhead, up in a residential area, has better access, onto wide fire roads that are mostly not terribly steep (the steepness here is taken care of in the car ride to the trailhead). The only weird thing is that the lower entry at Taylor Road has a big C-shaped turnstile that I gather is supposed to be wheelchair accessible. On the one hand, it looked plenty big enough to get through; on the other hand, I had a hard time imagining getting through it without a walking companion to shift the big C around on its center-mounted pivot. The upper entry at Taylor Road, which leads more easily to the top of the mountain, had about a 30" opening at the gate. No turnstile, but some posts that need maneuvering around, with the attendant erosion around them. I think you could get past it, but it wouldn't be a total breeze. There are quite a number of fire roads on the mountain, but I only walked on a few of them, and then headed down the single-track, since that is where a lot of the geological interest is. But there are great views and great rocks at the top.

Details: The Taylor Road entrance has limited roadside parking. No fees, restrooms of any kind, drinking water, or maps at either entrance. Dogs on leash are permitted. From Highway 101 take the Paradise Drive/Tamalpais Drive exit, east about 1.5 mile; just past Westwood Drive is a small sign on the right for Ring Mountain's main entrance. Taylor Road is the next right turn. Unfortunately the bus access to Ring Mountain is from Reed Road where the entrance is up a flight of stairs.