Hill 88 from Rodeo Beach
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location: Coastal Trail above Rodeo Beach/Fort Cronkhite, Mill Valley, California 94941
Starting Point: Trailhead at Fort Cronkhite/Rodeo Beach parking lot
For driving directions, input “Fort Cronkhite parking lot” into your GPS map system.
Info links:
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser.
Hill 88 information link (Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy):
https://www.parksconservancy.org/trails/coastal-trail-hill-88
Marin Headlands Map link (National Park Service):
https://www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/upload/map_mahe_150429_508_2021.pdf
Fort Cronkhite (starting area) Information and Map link (Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy):
https://www.parksconservancy.org/parks/fort-cronkhite
San Francisco to Fort Cronkhite MUNI bus info link:
https://www.parksconservancy.org/services/marin-headlands-express
Distance:
The Rodeo Beach parking lot trail sign says Coastal Trail 1.6 miles to Hill 88, but piecing together information from various maps, the distance to the peak is probably more like 1.9 miles (I’m always surprised at how much variation there is on maps). The elevation is approximately 1,000 feet (again, varies depending on the information source), meaning hikers are in for a good cardio workout with some steep rises in elevation. We take an extra side path that adds a bit to the distance, but offers even more stunning views than the main marked path. Our round trip is probably around 4 miles total.
Considerations: (part of these notes overlap with earlier post on Battery Townsley)
• The Fort Cronkhite parking lot by Rodeo Beach is fairly large, but there is also parking along Mitchell Road with paths to the beach.
• Bathrooms (as well as beach showers) are available at the Fort Cronkhite parking lot by Rodeo Beach.
• There are some pretty steep drop offs along the cliff side stretch above Hawk Tail Beach (which I did not know had the name Hawk Tail Beach until looking up info for these hike notes… that deep split between cliffs always reminds me of school lessons on the Bay of Fundy). Keep an eye on children or others who may not be as attentive to fences and steep drops.
• There is weekend bus service from San Francisco to Fort Cronkhite. See link above.
• For those climbing on gravel paths above and around batteries and ruins, use caution as the rocks make for some steep, slippery slides. Also, old ruins look spooky for a reason. Don’t try climbing on rotting wood structures.
• Strong winds and dense fog are as possible as clear blue skies. Always bring layers of clothing, and a water bottle/snacks.
The trail:
You can’t have a bad start to a hike when the launch point is Rodeo Beach in the Marin Headlands near Fort Cronkhite and the Marin Headlands Visitor Center. I have been to Rodeo Beach countless times, on warm days and cold, sunny and overcast, and the scenery has never been less than stunning.
The trailhead leading up to Battery Townsley and on to Hill 88 starts at the beach end of the parking lot, right at the end of Mitchell Road. (A nearby hike from the Marine Mammal Center to Battery Townsley/Hill 88 will be covered in a future post.)
A brief uphill climb leads to a sign marking a sharp left up a path lined with charming wood fencing. The wooden fence leads straight toward the Pacific, and then makes a sharp right to continue uphill facing north.
The minimal barrier that keeps one from falling down the steep cliff into the deep cove of Hawk Tail Beach is worth making a stop at for the glorious view above the steep, narrow beach.
Continue uphill and make a right at trail signs indicating the path toward Battery Townsley and Hill 88. Walk past the cannon at Battery Townsley and follow the Coastal Trail to the left.
The next phase of climbing includes stairs passing through chaparral type landscape, with low coyote brush as well as poison oak to watch out for, more in some seasons than others. Wooden steps, some with hand rails and some without, lead up to the next elevation.
Take breaks by turning back to see the view toward Rodeo Beach, San Francisco and Pacifica. On a clear day, you can see Pedro Point in Pacifica to the south, the Farallon Islands to the west, and all the way to Chimney Rock in Point Reyes facing north.
There is a point at which the smooth asphalt pathway continues straight on up to Hill 88, which is a perfectly good way to go. However, for even more astounding views and a big more adventure, take a left at the graffiti covered concrete battery buildings at the left of the trail.
This route includes some steep, slippery gravel, well worth the views. It also leads toward Hill 88 along a higher ridge with little bunker stops and spooky ruins of wooden structures. Taking photos: Good idea. Climbing in/on wooden ruins: Bad idea.
The higher ridge path joins up with the asphalt path right before the final ascent to the wire-gated Hill 88 peak.
There are plenty of old graffiti covered concrete structures, a helicopter landing pad, and other remnants of a once active military past marking the top of Hill 88. We take a water and snack break while enjoying the 365 degree views before heading back down the hill. Sunny and foggy hike images are included in the photo gallery. Sunny and clear is amazing, but hiking high in the hills in dense fog is its own special thrill.
(Hill 88 from Rodeo Beach Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Fumbling Through the Fog” Insights post.)
Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page. Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. See products with inspiring designs that support the efforts of HikingAutism under Support/Shop. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links.
Check the Home page for the broader background story. If you’re not able to take one of these Northern California hikes, hopefully you can enjoy the photo galleries at the bottom of each hike page! Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location: Coastal Trail above Rodeo Beach/Fort Cronkhite, Mill Valley, California 94941
Starting Point: Trailhead at Fort Cronkhite/Rodeo Beach parking lot
For driving directions, input “Fort Cronkhite parking lot” into your GPS map system.
Info links:
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser.
Hill 88 information link (Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy):
https://www.parksconservancy.org/trails/coastal-trail-hill-88
Marin Headlands Map link (National Park Service):
https://www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/upload/map_mahe_150429_508_2021.pdf
Fort Cronkhite (starting area) Information and Map link (Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy):
https://www.parksconservancy.org/parks/fort-cronkhite
San Francisco to Fort Cronkhite MUNI bus info link:
https://www.parksconservancy.org/services/marin-headlands-express
Distance:
The Rodeo Beach parking lot trail sign says Coastal Trail 1.6 miles to Hill 88, but piecing together information from various maps, the distance to the peak is probably more like 1.9 miles (I’m always surprised at how much variation there is on maps). The elevation is approximately 1,000 feet (again, varies depending on the information source), meaning hikers are in for a good cardio workout with some steep rises in elevation. We take an extra side path that adds a bit to the distance, but offers even more stunning views than the main marked path. Our round trip is probably around 4 miles total.
Considerations: (part of these notes overlap with earlier post on Battery Townsley)
• The Fort Cronkhite parking lot by Rodeo Beach is fairly large, but there is also parking along Mitchell Road with paths to the beach.
• Bathrooms (as well as beach showers) are available at the Fort Cronkhite parking lot by Rodeo Beach.
• There are some pretty steep drop offs along the cliff side stretch above Hawk Tail Beach (which I did not know had the name Hawk Tail Beach until looking up info for these hike notes… that deep split between cliffs always reminds me of school lessons on the Bay of Fundy). Keep an eye on children or others who may not be as attentive to fences and steep drops.
• There is weekend bus service from San Francisco to Fort Cronkhite. See link above.
• For those climbing on gravel paths above and around batteries and ruins, use caution as the rocks make for some steep, slippery slides. Also, old ruins look spooky for a reason. Don’t try climbing on rotting wood structures.
• Strong winds and dense fog are as possible as clear blue skies. Always bring layers of clothing, and a water bottle/snacks.
The trail:
You can’t have a bad start to a hike when the launch point is Rodeo Beach in the Marin Headlands near Fort Cronkhite and the Marin Headlands Visitor Center. I have been to Rodeo Beach countless times, on warm days and cold, sunny and overcast, and the scenery has never been less than stunning.
The trailhead leading up to Battery Townsley and on to Hill 88 starts at the beach end of the parking lot, right at the end of Mitchell Road. (A nearby hike from the Marine Mammal Center to Battery Townsley/Hill 88 will be covered in a future post.)
A brief uphill climb leads to a sign marking a sharp left up a path lined with charming wood fencing. The wooden fence leads straight toward the Pacific, and then makes a sharp right to continue uphill facing north.
The minimal barrier that keeps one from falling down the steep cliff into the deep cove of Hawk Tail Beach is worth making a stop at for the glorious view above the steep, narrow beach.
Continue uphill and make a right at trail signs indicating the path toward Battery Townsley and Hill 88. Walk past the cannon at Battery Townsley and follow the Coastal Trail to the left.
The next phase of climbing includes stairs passing through chaparral type landscape, with low coyote brush as well as poison oak to watch out for, more in some seasons than others. Wooden steps, some with hand rails and some without, lead up to the next elevation.
Take breaks by turning back to see the view toward Rodeo Beach, San Francisco and Pacifica. On a clear day, you can see Pedro Point in Pacifica to the south, the Farallon Islands to the west, and all the way to Chimney Rock in Point Reyes facing north.
There is a point at which the smooth asphalt pathway continues straight on up to Hill 88, which is a perfectly good way to go. However, for even more astounding views and a big more adventure, take a left at the graffiti covered concrete battery buildings at the left of the trail.
This route includes some steep, slippery gravel, well worth the views. It also leads toward Hill 88 along a higher ridge with little bunker stops and spooky ruins of wooden structures. Taking photos: Good idea. Climbing in/on wooden ruins: Bad idea.
The higher ridge path joins up with the asphalt path right before the final ascent to the wire-gated Hill 88 peak.
There are plenty of old graffiti covered concrete structures, a helicopter landing pad, and other remnants of a once active military past marking the top of Hill 88. We take a water and snack break while enjoying the 365 degree views before heading back down the hill. Sunny and foggy hike images are included in the photo gallery. Sunny and clear is amazing, but hiking high in the hills in dense fog is its own special thrill.
(Hill 88 from Rodeo Beach Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Fumbling Through the Fog” Insights post.)
Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page. Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. See products with inspiring designs that support the efforts of HikingAutism under Support/Shop. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links.
Check the Home page for the broader background story. If you’re not able to take one of these Northern California hikes, hopefully you can enjoy the photo galleries at the bottom of each hike page! Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777
