Mountain Home Inn to Mount Tam East Peak is a 3.9 mile out and back trail located near Mill Valley, California that offers scenic views. The trail is rated as difficult and offers a number of activity options.
hiking
nature trips
rock climbing
bird watching
running
views
no dogs
Hike up to the summit of East peak for stunning 360 views of the Bay Area and the Ocean. Start from the Mountain Home Inn and go up the Gravity Car Fire Rd. to the Old Railroad Grade, then take the Fern Creek Trail to the summit.
Extended the trail to cover Middle peak and west peak as well. Took the Miller trail in the way back from west peak. Around 3 hours and 7.5 mile distance with 2100 ft elevation. Overall a good workout with good views from all peaks.
Enjoyed the fire road section of trail - it was wide, well maintained and had great vistas. The Fern Canyon connector trail sucked - overgrown and couldn’t see anything, but got you to the East Peak quickly. On the way back we took the Railroad fire road all the way down, which was much more pleasant. Get to the parking lot early on weekends (before 8) to snag a spot.
Quick way up from the summit. Great hike if you want something fast. 1h50m round trip, 1673 of elevation gain, just over 4 miles (from the Mountain Home Inn). Pretty exposed so not ideal if it’s too hot, but otherwise conditions were great.
Definitely a strenuous hike. Not much shade. Lots of steps, rocky and narrow trails, good hiking shoes a must, and hiking poles. Entire trail have amazing views. Breathtaking when you get to the top. Highly recommended, and reward yourself at the end with a good meal and drink at the Mountain Home Inn.
tough tail going up, gavels, rocks, and narrow over grown path. great work out. super clean bathroom at the top. a must do!
Really nice hike, was about 2.5 hours with a stop at the top. Great views but pretty steep consistently.
We hiked this route on Sunday, 8/11/19. We were looking for some elevation gain and got it! It was a gorgeous, warm, sunny day. The unshaded portions below the summit (breeze was blocked) were pretty hot and dusty, but there is a fair amount of shade while you’re climbing. I appreciate that it’s a loop instead of just up and back down the same trail. I definitely recommend real hiking shoes, because there are several sections that are very steep, which will be pretty slippery in sneakers. Lots of lovely forest sections, & breathtaking views at the top.
Jackie J.
Great climb and amazing views! Reward yourself with drinks at Mountain Home after :)
Clare M.
One of my favorite local hikes! Amazing views from the top- worth the climb! Make sure to wear real hiking or trail running shoes because regular gym or running shoes will cause you to slip on the steep loose gravel on the trail.
Dog-friendly, not as crowded when you get off the fire road onto Fern. Mid-day can get hot. Great (shorter) way to get to the peak.
Steep for a while at the beginning. The fire road and second road has a bunch of bikes. Not that great until fern trail. Then at the top there’s a parking lot so not too secluded. Eh ok hike. There are others.
Crazy steep at the beginning but totally doable, and once you hit the fire road it mellows out...until the stairs :) Big elevation gain in a short distance, my reading was 1,600 total not the 1,300 listed. Great workout and spectacular views if you’ve only got a couple hours.
Awesome hike and views, love Fern Creek Trail although it gets a bit congested; make sure to start early and have lunch at the many picnic tables near the Visitor's Center just below the summit.
GREAT HIKE FOR ALL! Wonderful views and a 360 of Bay Area, Pacific Ocean, and Northern Cal! Home of Mt. Biking Trail BlazE!!!
This was a really great hike. I loved it. The Bootjack trail along the creek is beautiful.
tough but well worth it
