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Dipsea Trail

Long doggies and soggy shoes.

By Carlos Gomez

May 14^th, 2021

Hiking Marin

For the past couple of years, I had fallen out of love with hiking. Life had gotten busier, there was always something else to do, or I never had enough free time to dedicate to it. But over the summer, after months of California's shelter in place order, it ended up being the perfect fit for safe recreation that couple also provide some time to clear my head.

I had grown to love Phoenix Lake and all the interconnected trails across Marin County's open space, but wanted to give something new a try. It was time to give the Dipsea Trail a shot.

I did minimal planning, evidently not enough, and ventured out.

Step 1 (of 41,000)

To start, head to Old Mill Park in Downtown Mill Valley — a few blocks away from the most serene and beautiful library in Northern California. At the roundabout connecting Cascade Drive and Molino Avenue, you'll see the path leading to the Dipsea Stairs.

Make sure you're wearing your Apple Watch or it's all for naught.

As you make your way up the three sets of stairs that cut through the residential streets, follow the signs for another half mile until you cross the Panoramic Highway.

15 miles, if you don’t get lost.

Microclimates aren't limited to San Francisco! It went from foggy to very foggy, and so foggy it's essentially raining. It was great, other than learning that my trail shoes are 100% not at all waterproof. 🤷🏻♂️.

On the Trail

👋🏻. Hello, long doggy.

Watch your step!

You can hear the folklore through the trees if you try hard enough.

The sun doing its' best to peek through.

I eventually made it down to the beach. Still overcast and misty, but I did find a cooler full of 1970's LPs and a shirt on a mossy tree. Which reminds me: moss, it's natures sweater. 👕.

The fog began to clear up by late morning as I looped back around and was downright sunny by noon.

Because of a missed trail marker here and there, the total round trip ended up being 20.02 miles. I took a lengthy accidental detour deep into Muir Woods but ultimately found my way back, no thanks to AllTrails. 🧐.