Benstein Trail & Cataract Trail is a 6.1-mile out-and-back in Mount Tamalpais Watershed near Stinson Beach, CA. It climbs 1,254 ft, with sections as steep as 18% grade. It scores 74/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
0 mi1,696 – 2,231 ft · steepest grade: 18%6.1 mi
Getting there
Trailhead: Cataract Trail 37.91161, -122.61539
Nearest town Stinson Beach, CA
Directions
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Benstein Trail & Cataract Trail
6.1 mi · ▲ 1,254 ft · 2 hr 40 min
Elevation 1,698–2,232 ft
Out & Back · Mount Tamalpais Watershed
Trailhead: Cataract Trail · 37.91161, -122.61539
Weather Aug 3: Clear, high 92°F / low 73° · precip 0% · wind 3 mph · sunrise 6:16 AM · sunset 8:19 PM
Toilets at the trailhead
- Start on Cataract Trail, heading NW.
- 1.7 miTurn right onto Simmons Trail, heading S.
- 0.8 miBear left onto Benstein Trail, heading SE.
- 0.6 miReach Cataract Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.6 miBear right onto Simmons Trail, heading NW.
- 0.8 miTurn left onto Cataract Trail, heading SW.
- 1.6 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Weather
ClearTemperature 92°F73°
Feels like79°Precip0%Wind3 mphUV8Humidity32%
Hourly temperature
95°70°
Sunrise 6:16 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PMSunset 8:19 PM
Tue
80°65°
Wed
75°50°
Thu
66°48°
Fri
70°47°
Sat
70°46°
Sun
62°46°
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.4 mi in (~36 min). Leave by 7:22 PM for the 8:19 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:13 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Toilets at the trailhead
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Hikes near Stinson Beach, California