singletracks is mountain biking
 
Trail is --
 
  
Avg Rating: 27 trail reviews
Difficulty: Intermediate bike trail - Intermediate
Length: 10 miles Global Rank: #74
Tread: Singletrack Configuration: Loop
Ridden: 108 Wishlist: 55
7 trail check-ins Climb // Descend
+1,400 // -1,600 feet
Average Speed: 4.5 mph Average Time: 2hr 43min
 
 
 
Directions
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Description
Start out with a nice warm up climb up a paved road, followed by nice sigletrack climb through some narrow switch-backs and some rock gardens. Levels out for some rolling singletrack. From here on, it is climb a little, enjoy some nice down hill. There are only 2 areas that I would call 'really technical' (THE switchback, and the boulder) but the rest of the trail will keep you on your toes, while still allowing your helmet to whistle in the wind. Since this is private property, you will either have to buy a day pass or a season pass at Don't try to poach, there are rangers out there most of the time.

added by Guest on September 8, 2003

Trail Reviews   [Add a review]

trekY5isGOODforME on May 7, 2013
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Review: Great great place, $5 day pass is worth it. I havent seen ant hikers mtn bikes only. Pretty technical mostly small climbs with small decents.

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bwenzel29 on July 10, 2012
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Review: Great trail. It is well kept. Parking can be a pain.

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mtbgreg1 on June 28, 2012
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Review: This is a wonderfully constructed trail that passes through a smorgasboard of different environments, ranging from the deep forested feel beneath the redwoods and the dry/rocky feel through the grassy hill tops. One of the only legal singletrack trails in Marin, and it's a good one! Also worth noting that there are some pretty technical spots mixed in, but on the really tough ones there are optional ride arounds.

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sdmolof on February 27, 2011
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Review: Holy Switchbacks batman! Awesome ride, nice climb up the road to get the legs fired up. First time on this trail and I didn't quite expect it to be this fun. The switchbacks were maybe a notch above my skill level in the mud but I tapped my way through em. There were plenty of other riders going up the singletrack as I was comin down but it was fine, cool people along the way. Apparently there's some hidden gem singletracks tucked away once you reach the camp, but my legs were too toasty to make a lap back to the top after a couple runs.

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Marchino108 on December 25, 2010
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Review: So much fun beautiful views but careful on canyions after a rainy day!!

Similar Trail: Muir woods and tamailpais

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Keithhn on March 15, 2010
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Review: Sunrise changed it's name to Fairfax Cyclery. Awesome scenery fun trail. The most technical thing about this trail is that the switchbacks are a little tight, but rideable even on my 29er.

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Jessemc537 on February 1, 2010
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Review:

* Review edited 2/22/2010

Similar Trail: China Camp - 7-11, Hitlers run, Annadel - Lawndale, S. Burma

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Jessemc537 on December 21, 2009
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Review: This IS one of the best single tracks in Marin. It is a shorter loop for more advanced cross country riders but there are options out. I found a great loop that includes 90% of the Tmarancho loop and drops out to another great ride up through Loma Alta. The total milage is just about right for a good day ride. 23 miles in all. Tamarancho is a great warm up but if you stayed I would do a couple laps. You can hit it once and drop back into town for a beer and a brat and then charge Whites hill. Great Veiws all around and the terrain changes the whole way through.

* Review edited 2/4/2010

Similar Trail: China Camp - Tenderfoot - Certain parts of Annadel.

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Suvacrew on December 20, 2009
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Review: Ever seen a trail network that reads "Mountain bikes on single track only"?!?! This is the place. Park at Java hut, walk 100 yrd down the street to Sunshine Bicycles to get your day pass. They have a computer terminal at the end of the counter to enter your name and whomever is riding with you, hit print, pay $5 a head, grab your pass, stick it on your brake cable..and head out for some technical single track fun...legally in Marin. We did it on a rainy day...roots were slippery, but the sandy soil drains pretty darn good. The wood bridges are like ice skating rinks when wet, so given the option, take the narrower split tree ones with cross hashed traction grooves. You have to pay attention, or else you'll kiss a tree. It's almost like riding in a video game when you come down the backside into the switchbacks and trees towards Alchemist. Hit my pedals no less than 10 times on various obstacles. Great place to practice your switchbacks UP and Down and a couple of rock gardens to make sure you're paying attention. If you're in the area....you've got to do it. Well maintained by the Boy Scouts. Pass is so worth it.

* Review edited 12/20/2009

Similar Trail: China Camp or Mt Tam/Re-Pack

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br8kmywindo on September 7, 2009
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Review: My favorite trail in the bay area. Keeps you in shape on the climbs and on your toes downhill thru the switchbacks.

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dbellinger on June 29, 2009
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Review: I rode this on June 17, 2009. I paid for my ticket online and parked at the Java Hut parking lot like they suggested. Definitely arrive early (7:30 was early enough) and avoid the crowds. The trail was a mob scene by the time we were coming off the trail at 10:30. If you are there on the weekend, best to ride the loop clockwise to avoid traffic on the trail. Regarding the ride, the climbs were gradual and on the easy side. Lots of roots and rocks to wear you out by the end. I agree that the switchbacks were by far the most difficult part of the ride. Some things that were missing at Tamarancho - high speed descents and steep technical ascents and descents. I would consider it difficult for beginners and challenging but not hard for intermediate level riders. Eight miles of continuous singletrack exclusively for mountain biking is hard to find. A must ride.

Similar Trail: China Camp

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SkidMD on May 27, 2009
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Review: Yes, it's worth the $5. Where else are you going to get sweet riding on singletrack trails that are in good conidtion? Ok, maybe you can think of a few, but I would think it's worth the price for some hassle-free riding.
Technical - a bit. Switchbacks - tough. Roots - a bunch. Climbs - you bet!
Carry enough water and bring spare tire gear because you are out there.

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SkidMD on May 27, 2009
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Review: Look, where else can you get maintained single-track, minutes from downtown coffee in Fairfax and miles of peace and quiet without those unfortunately pesky rangers that are to (sadly) rarely interested in pleasant and helpful interactions with mountain riders?

Similar Trail: China Camp

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jbronko1 on January 30, 2009
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Review: I rode this trail in the summer and have to add one thing to the 'technical / not-technical' debate. The main climb is on a road if you go that way, so that's not bad. There are some other short, somewhat steep climbs, not bad. There are few roots/obstacles. But what I DID find tricky were the switchbacks. There had to be at least 10 pretty tricky switchbacks before which you could really pick up some speed, making it necessary (for me) to be pretty careful. A lot of them, if you missed it, you were going to tumble 20 feet or more down a hill in the forest. It's been several months, but that's what I recall. I may ride it again in Feb or March if I get out to NoCal again.

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CF3 on January 30, 2009
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Review: my first ride in california,and i've got to say....super fun! Coming from the east coast this is not at all technical to me, but that's OK. 99% singletrack, awesome views...well worth the the price of admission

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thedaver16 on January 14, 2009
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Review: rode it yesterday trails in great shape and a ton of fun, not too terribly technical but just enough to keep it fun and make you pay attention. will go back for sure and even if I only rode it a few times a year would be more than greatfull to pay the $50 for annual pass simply in support of the boy scouts and the fact of keeping the trails in great shape and open

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dplusdude on April 30, 2007
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Review: Sick trail. The clockwise ending descent is the s***. Fun, fun single track through forest. Definitely worth the pass.... http://www.dimensionplusmedia.com

* Review edited 4/30/2007

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bensf on July 8, 2006
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Review: Great ride! If you park in Fairfax there are several nice little coffee shops that you can go to. :)

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xtrsmith on April 10, 2006
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Review: Nice ride.

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seanomalone on August 21, 2005
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Review: My favorit part about this trail is the diverse terrain. One minute you're in Sierra Foothills-like grassy rolling hills with rock outcroppings (and the ocassional rattle snake). Next munute you're in classic coastal pines with mossy trunks and smooth pine needle paths. NOTE: This is not a beginner's ride. It's not real technical either (aside from a couple short spots). Not sure why someone would think that, but it's just not. Agree with others - please park in the town of Fairfax. And be sure to get your day pass at Sunrise Bikes on Broadway in town first.

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Juan_Gear on June 12, 2005
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Review: We raced ther one year and had fun. If we were local it would be worth $50 a year. Scouts keep it nice. Too short need to do laps

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Pedro_Carvalho on December 23, 2004
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Review: Very, very cool singletracks. The loop is a lot of fun and you can ride from Fairfax up the hill to warm-up. There are tons of options if you actually don't stick to the main loop. Get a map from a bike store and explore.

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Pedro_Carvalho on December 20, 2004
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Review: Nice singletrack. Not technical at all. Good for beginners. Easy acess from San Francisco.

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Pedro_Carvalho on December 20, 2004
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Review: Nice singletrack. Not technical at all. Good for beginners. Easy acess from San Francisco.

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Guest on October 18, 2004
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Review: Just a note about parking. If you drive, to ride the trails, please park legally in downtown Fairfax, and ride about 1/2 mile to Iron Springs and the start of the trails. Neighbors of the camp have been complaining about cyclists parking in their area. Please be considerate. Use the 1/2 mile spin as a warm up- you will be happy and so will the people who live near the camp.

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Guest on September 14, 2004
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Review: Outstanding trail - this is simply some of the sweetest singletrack around, climbs are all short, trails are not overly technical - but still keeps you on your toes with a few rocks, roots and plenty of swithbacks; very nice downhill sections. I highly recommend it. It is though too short - the trails form one loop, about 8-9 miles around, so takes less than one hour to complete.

Similar Trail: El Corte De Madera trails, Nr. Woodside

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jeff on March 7, 2004
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Review: We were told this was some of the best/most technical (legal) singletrack in Marin (funny how everyone makes the distinction in Marin between legal and illegal trails). After we drove around a while trying to find Iron Springs Road, we parked our car in the neighborhood, grabbed some cash to pay the daily use fee, and started up the road. The climb wasn't too bad and in no time we were at the start of the singletrack and found the information signs. It turns out you have to buy your daily or annual pass ahead of time at either the Sunshine Bike Shop in Fairfax or online at this site. Anyway, we didn't get to try the singletrack (even though we were prepared to pay the fee, we didn't want to piss anyone off). Hopefully this review will leave others better prepared.

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Tags

Awsome   need to ride in the next 30 days   tamarancho  




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