7/28/2023 0 Comments Lost caves muir woods![]() ![]() You can easily modify this to suit your time and inclination. Muir Woods is criss-crossed by trails, many which connect to other trail networks in Mt Tamalpais State Park. Follow the trail back toward the visitor center and the end of the loop. The crowds grow as you get closer to the visitors center, but you’ll want to take your time anyway. The Redwood Creek Trail (aka the Main Trail) is where you re-enter the crowded section of Muir Woods. It’s a worthwhile side-trip after your hike. The inn burned down in 1913, and the railway ceased operation in 1929, but you can visit Mt Tam where they have a gravity car on display at the “other” end of the railway. There were cabins and the Muir Inn where you could spend the night in the woods. This junction is quiet, but it used to be seriously bustling with the arrival of tourists taking the Muir Woods Railway from Mt Tamalpais. There’s an interesting bridge built atop a fallen log that leads further up Redwood Canyon, but you’ll turn left and follow the Redwood Creek Trail downstream. True to its namesake, the hills were lined with lush, green ferns.Īt the bottom of Fern Canyon, you’ll reach Redwood Creek. The Lost Trail actually leaves Muir Woods National Monument and enters Mt Tamalpais State Park, eventually connecting with the Fern Creek Trail and cuts back to the south. This is described on maps as the Fern Creek Trail (not Fern Canyon). We did however see a young three-point buck just above the trail. We saw one other couple hiking behind us, and passed one couple headed in the opposite direction - so the “crowds” were non-existent up here. The Lost Trail descends pretty steeply, but the trail has steps built to reduce erosion and impact to the fragile environment. When you’ve caught your breath, continue down the Lost Trail. Think about the history that these ancient trees have lived through.Īt about 1.5 miles, you’ll reach the junction with the Lost Trail and the high point of this loop. This loop trail is meant to be hiked slowly. This is not a trail to race through (although the oldest trail race - the Dipsea Race - passes nearby). Trekking poles and boots are optional on this trail my Solomon trail runners were a perfect match. It is a dirt single track trail with sections that are covered in roots, but the trail is in great condition overall. The trail climbs up the canyon wall through thick sections of tall, straight, young redwoods. Some maps refer to it as the Ocean View Trail, but when you see the steps climbing up the east side of the canyon, you’ll know you’re on the right path. ![]() You’ll pass by the gift shop and cafe (which open a bit later) and catch glimpses of the first giant trees.Īt the first junction, take the Canopy View Trail to the right. Instead, take the Canopy View Trail and leave the crowds behind.Īs you enter Muir Woods, follow the boardwalk - the Main Trail - into the redwoods. Most visitors are content to wander up the boardwalks along Redwood Creek, craning their necks upwards and bumping into each other as they make their way up the canyon. The second best advice for avoiding the crowds at Muir Woods? Take the road less traveled - the Canopy View Trail. Normally entry is $10 for anyone over 16 years, but if you get there before the visitor center opens (as we did when we went) they have a “free admittance” sign posted. ![]() And as an added bonus, you might even get in for free. Getting to Muir Woods early gives you the best chance of snagging a coveted parking spot, beating the crowds, and seeing wildlife. Click here for the location on Google Maps. Muir Woods opens at 8:00 AM, and if you get there by then, you have a good chance of getting a space in the small, second lot (the first lot is mainly for shuttles and handicapped parking). It seems like common sense, but for whatever reason, most people don’t do it. The first step to beating the crowds is to go when it’s less crowded. There is limited parking, and on the weekends, visitors are highly encouraged to take the shuttle bus. Muir Woods National Monument is famously crowded. Muir Woods National Monument: When to Go and How to Get There Fortunately, you can avoid the crowds and enjoy Muir Woods in relative solitude–at least some of the time. For that same reason, it’s also a very popular park. It’s only 30 minutes away from San Francisco, but transports you to another time and place. When to go: Year-round Muir Woods National Monument was created in 1908 by President Theodore Roosevelt, making it one of the earliest national monuments in the country. ![]()
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