Mount Barnabe
A steep climb bags a bird's eye view of Marin County
It takes a clear and sunny day to get the most from this ride. We had been discussing it
for awhile, and let me say it was worth the wait.
Between Bolinas Ridge and Pine Mountain, Mount Barnabe is at the core of Marin Mountain
biking and offers wonderful views of it all. The price of admission is a particularly nasty little climb to the ridgeline,
and plenty more steep grinds to the peak. But on a day like this there was nothing to complain about.
Photos
Click to expand
Hey, whatever happened to the flat part?!?
After a fast ride along Papermill Creek, crossing the bridge over Sir Francis Drake, the
Barnabe Trail comes as a steep an ugly awakening. I hope this part ends soon. It doesn't look too different
here from the Stewart Trail climb over Inverness Ridge, but it sure feels different.
Ahhh, finally along the ridge. It still has a number of steep ups and downs, but at least now there are some downs.
The first shot is looking across to Bolinas ridge, and the top of Inverness can be seen beyond that. The second
shot is looking back toward Pine Mountain, and beyond that is Mount Tam.
Finally to the top. That was quick. Ahhh, that wasn't so bad. Here's the fire lookout at the peak which is at 1466 feet.
Papermill creek runs at about 150 feet.
I am the master of all that I see!! Here is the view from the peak.
Tomales Bay is on the left upper side, with the tail end of Bolinas Ridge just below it.
It's all downhill from here, except for a couple little climbs. It's good quality fireroad like this for the most part
and you can build up some speed if you like-- just be careful because there were a fair number of hikers.
There's just a couple of heavily eroded sections below. It was over with pretty fast which is why I suspect
it's not a well known ride.
Balmy weather, lively creeks, green hillsides... spring is in the air. Let the mountain biking season begin!!
(b. February 9, 2002)
Back to top.
Back home.
Ahhh, finally along the ridge. It still has a number of steep ups and downs, but at least now there are some downs.
The first shot is looking across to Bolinas ridge, and the top of Inverness can be seen beyond that. The second
shot is looking back toward Pine Mountain, and beyond that is Mount Tam.
Finally to the top. That was quick. Ahhh, that wasn't so bad. Here's the fire lookout at the peak which is at 1466 feet.
Papermill creek runs at about 150 feet.
I am the master of all that I see!! Here is the view from the peak.
Tomales Bay is on the left upper side, with the tail end of Bolinas Ridge just below it.
It's all downhill from here, except for a couple little climbs. It's good quality fireroad like this for the most part
and you can build up some speed if you like-- just be careful because there were a fair number of hikers.
There's just a couple of heavily eroded sections below. It was over with pretty fast which is why I suspect
it's not a well known ride.