June 21st: UPDATED Sunset hike from Pantoll at 6PM 4 miles 1000 ft in elevation gain
2026-06-21 18:00 - 21:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Let’s celebrate the Longest Day of the Year (Summer Solstice) by watching the Sun set over the Pacific. Due to the closure of the Steep Ravine trail, we will do an out and back on Dipsea and still plan to be Cardiac Hill at the sunset at 8:35PM. Under twilight, we will take be a short fire road back to Pantoll. Participants will receive a special memento to commemorate the Summer Solstice. They can also use this hike toward their Quad Four badge.

This hike is limited to 19 people. Please sign up via Meet-up. Check Meet-up for any updates (cancellation, schedule change…).
This hike will be led by Docent Franklin Young. Hike docents have been trained under the California State Parks Volunteers in the Park Program (VIPP).

Trails: Coastal fire road to Cardiac Hill, Dipsea to Webb Creek out and back, Cardiac Hill, Coastal fire road

Meeting place: Pantoll by the 15 minutes parking zone. Please park in the lot. There is a $8 parking fee. Pay with exact change or QR code.

Water, sturdy shoes, hiking poles, headlamp, snacks are recommended

Start time: 6:00PM

June 27th Quad 4 Hike from Bootjack / Bolinas Ridge 6 miles / 1000 feet elevation gain
2026-06-27 09:00 - 12:30
This hike will have some very nice ocean views, weather permitting. It is considered a “moderate” hike (5-7 miles with up to 1500 feet of elevation gain). There is sustained climbing on Bolinas Ridge and Cataract.
Join Docent Debra Hoitomt for this guided hike.
Trails: Matt Davis, Bolinas Ridge Trail, Cataract Creek, Old Mine
Sign up is required via Meetup. Please check Meetup for any updates
MEET: Bootjack Parking Area
DEPARTURE: 9am Departure. Group should return no later than 12:30pm
CANCELLATIONS: Rain, red flag days, winds above 30 mph, and unforeseen circumstances will cancel.
PARKING: We strongly recommend carpooling and arriving 15 minutes early to find parking and pay parking fees. Bootjack parking requires an $8 fee.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: The #61 bus departs from Almonte & Shoreline Hwy (Tam Junction) around 8:30, arriving Bootjack at 9 am.
WATER: Bring at least two bottles of water. Most hikes do not pass by public drinking water sources.
FOOD: There will not be a formal lunch stop. Bring your own snacks.
PROTECTION: Ticks, mosquitoes, horse flies and yellow jackets are present, but not abundant.
STURDY BOOTS: Trails are uneven, rocky and can be very steep in places. Sandals, sneakers and running shoes are not recommended.
HIKE DOCENTS have been trained under the California State Parks Volunteers In the Park Program (VIPP).
This hike is part of the “Quad 4 hikes“, adapted to start at Bootjack. Together they are 21 miles with 4,300 feet of elevation. Individually they are 4.5 – 6.5 miles long with 500 – 1,500 of elevation. Upon completing all 4 hikes, you will receive a badge of Honor.

July 25th Quad 4 hike: West Point Inn and Ice Cream Fundraiser
2026-07-25 09:00 - 13:00
Join docent Caryn Lowe for an interpretive hike to West Point Inn. This month’s stop at the inn coincides with their second ice cream social fundraiser. We’ll be in the sun above the clouds, enjoying the heat and view while we cool down. There is a $7- $10 dollar donation request for each serving that will go towards the preservation of this historic location. You can learn more or share with friends here >> https://www.instagram.com/p/Da_ca2EvJ4D/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
HIKE ROUTE
Start at Bootjack Parking Lot; Old Mine Trail to Mountain Theater; Rock Spring Trail to West Point Inn; Nora to Matt Davis back to Bootjack Parking Lot
Distance (mi): 4.5. Elevation Gain (ft): 500. Moderate pace.
There is a $8 parking fee at Bootjack. Options for paying: (1) Exact change at Bootjack, (2) Use QR code (requires cellular reception) to pay with credit card, (3) Ranger station at Pantoll has both change and wifi.
This hike is part of the “Quad 4 hikes” – four epic hikes that start/end at the Bootjack/Pantoll Campground. Together they are 21 miles with 4,300 feet of elevation. Individually they are 4.5 – 6.5 miles long with 500 – 1,500 of elevation. Upon completing all 4 hikes, you will receive a badge of Honor.

Aug 5 Quad 4 hike: Muir Woods from Bootjack
2026-08-05 09:00 - 13:00
Join docent Franklin Young for an interpretive hike to Muir Woods from Bootjack. On a Wednesday morning, we hope to enjoy a peaceful stroll among the majestic redwoods. Please note this hike has 1500 ft of elevation gain over 5.5 miles.
HIKE ROUTE
Start at Bootjack Parking Lot; Matt Davis to Stapelveldt to Ben Johnson; cross Redwood creek to Boojack back to Bootjack Parking Lot

Distance : 5.5 miles. Elevation Gain: 1500 ft. Moderate pace.
There is a $8 parking fee at Bootjack. Options for paying: (1) Exact change at Bootjack, (2) Use QR code (requires cellular reception) to pay with credit card, (3) Ranger station at Pantoll has both change and wifi.
Quad 4 hikes are four epic hikes that start/end at the Pantoll/Bootjack Campground. Together they are 21 miles with 4,300 feet of elevation. Individually they are 4.5 – 6.5 miles long with 500 – 1,500 of elevation. Upon completing all 4 hikes, you can request a badge of Honor.

Quad 4 Bolinas Ridge Hike from Pantoll
2026-08-20 09:00 - 13:00
Join Docent Debra Hoitomt for this guided hike.
This hike will have some very nice ocean views, weather permitting. It is considered a “moderate” hike. There is sustained climbing on Bolinas Ridge and Cataract.
Trails: Matt Davis, Bolinas Ridge Trail, Cataract Creek, Old Mine
6 miles / 1000 feet elevation gain
Sign up is required
CANCELLATIONS: Rain, red flag days, winds above 30 mph, and unforeseen circumstances will cancel. Check this Meetup page for updates
PARKING: We strongly recommend carpooling and arriving 15 minutes early to find parking and pay parking fees. Pantoll parking requires an $8 fee.
WATER: Bring at least two bottles of water. Most hikes do not pass by public drinking water sources.
FOOD: There will not be a formal lunch stop. Bring your own snacks.
PROTECTION: Ticks, mosquitoes, horse flies and yellow jackets are present, but not abundant. Sunscreen or sun coverup recommended.
STURDY BOOTS: Trails are uneven, rocky and can be very steep in places. Sandals, sneakers and running shoes are not recommended.
HIKE DOCENTS have been trained under the California State Parks Volunteers In the Park Program (VIPP).
This hike is part of the “Quad 4 hikes” – four epic hikes. Together they are 21 miles with 4,300 feet of elevation. Individually they are 4.5 – 6.5 miles long with 500 – 1,500 of elevation. Upon completing all 4 hikes, you will receive a badge of Honor.

Partial Moon Eclipse Hike from Pantoll
2026-08-27 18:30 - 21:30
4 miles/ 150 ft elevation gain
In twilight we will take the Old Stage fire road to arrive at West Point Inn in time to witness the Moonrise at 7:39PM. We expect the moon will rise with a small shadow on it. By 8:12PM, the partial eclipse will become obvious. At that point, we will return to Pantoll in the dark via the Old Stage fire road. Moderate pace.
This hike will be led by Docent Franklin Young.
HIKE DOCENTS have passed a background check under the California State Parks Volunteers In the Park Program (VIPP).
Sign up: through our Meetup page. This hike is limited to 19. Please check that page for any updates, cancellation…
Trails: Out and back on Old Stage Coach fire road (unpaved). It is suitable for low light and light rain
Meeting place: Pantoll by the Friends of Mt. Tam trailer
Parking: Please park in the Pantoll lot. $8 fee is required. Pay by cash or QR code.
Start time: 6:30 PM / Return: 9:30PM
Headlamp/flashlight, sturdy shoes, water and light snacks highly recommended

Mt Tamalpais State Park 5th Annual Science Quest Day
2026-10-11 | Pantoll Campground Parking, 6456 Panoramic Hwy, Mill Valley, CA 94941, USA, 2 Panoramic Hwy, United States
8/31 UPDATE: The event calendar is out on Eventbrite! Check them out here: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/5th-annual-mt-tam-state-park-science-quest-day-4861933
FMT members get priority access. Events will open to the general public at 9am on Sept 7.

The 5th Annual Friends of Mt Tam Science Quest Day will be on October 11, 2026. Experts in Fire Science, Lichenology, Botany, Ornithology, Geology, Meteorology, and Astronomy will provide in person experiences to highlight how science can deepen our understanding of our environment.
The day will begin at 7:30am with a Master Birder led hike and wrap up with an amazing Star Party from 6:30 – 9:00pm. In between are more than 15 exciting and truly unique experiences.
There will be a very limited number of slots available for each event.
NEW THIS YEAR
More Kid Events
Bring your kids (and their friends and their scout group). Junior Ranger, Geology, Bingo, Science Quest Trivia Night, and “Into The Woods At The One Tam Van” are all kid (7-12 years old) friendly.
20% off all Merchandise and Flash Sales
Friends of Mt Tam members receive 20% off all merchandise at Pantoll and East Peak. Additionally, we will have flash sales throughout the day!
More free tasty treats and drinks at Pantoll
To celebrate Science Quest Day, FMT will be serving free coffee, hot chocolate, drinks, and trail worthy snacks at the FMT trailer at Pantoll.
It will be a great day on the Mountain! We hope you can join the fun.
