Mount Tamalpais East Peak–Verna Dunshee Viewpoint, 5 sights is a 5.3-mile out-and-back in Mount Tamalpais Watershed near Kent Woodlands, CA. The route passes Mount Tamalpais East Peak and Verna Dunshee Viewpoint. It climbs 1,687 ft, with sections as steep as 37% grade. It scores 63/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Mount Tamalpais East Peak–Verna Dunshee Viewpoint, 5 sights
5.3 mi · ▲ 1,687 ft · 2 hr 37 min
Elevation 1,563–2,560 ft
Out & Back · Mount Tamalpais Watershed
Trailhead: Old Railroad Grade Fire Road · 37.92885, -122.58401
Weather Aug 3: Clear, high 91°F / low 73° · precip 0% · wind 3 mph · sunrise 6:16 AM · sunset 8:19 PM
No dogs on part of this route
- Start on Old Railroad Grade Fire Road, heading SW.
- 0.7 miTurn left onto Miller Trail, heading SE.
- 0.3 miBear left onto Old Railroad Grade Fire Road, heading E.
- 0.1 miTurn right onto Fern Creek Trail, heading SE.
- 0.6 miBear right, heading N.
- 350 ftBear left, heading SE.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Plank Walk Trail, heading SE.
- 0.2 miPass Mount Tamalpais East Peak.
- 200 ftTurn right onto Plank Trail, heading N.
- 0.1 miSharp left onto Plank Walk Trail, heading NE.
- 300 ftSharp right, heading S.
- 50 ftPass Verna Dunshee Viewpoint.
- 250 ftContinue straight onto Verna Dunshee Trail, heading S.
- 0.1 miTurn left onto East Peak Fire Trail, heading SW.
- 0.3 miSharp left onto Northside Trail, heading N.
- 1.5 miTurn left onto Collier Spring Trail, heading SW.
- 0.3 miTurn left onto Miller Trail, heading SE.
- 0.3 miSharp left onto Old Railroad Grade Fire Road, heading E.
- 0.6 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.1 mi in (~35 min). Leave by 7:24 PM for the 8:19 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:14 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- No dogs on part of this route
Other ways to reach this destination
More from Old Railroad Grade Fire Road Trailhead
- Mountain Top Trail–Old Railroad Grade Fire Road, 3 sights 6.9 mi · ▲ 1,038 ft
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