Trail Review: Camp Tamarancho, Fairfax CA

Location: Fairfax, CA
Length: 10-12 miles
Time needed: 2 hours for average rider
Technical Rating: Intermediate
Cost: $5

Camp Tamaracho is a great singletrack loop in Marin County. It is actually on Boy Scout Property and a fee is required. You can get a one day pass online or at bike shops in Fairfax for $5. You can also get an annual pass for $35. Visit:

http://www.boyscouts-marin.org/tamarancho-biking/4023

The most common starting point is downtown Fairfax. You then make a short leg warming climb up Iron Springs Rd. When it turns to dirt you have about 1/2 mile to the Tamaracho sign and the beginning of Serpentine Trail. Take this switchback laden singletrack to the main loop intersection. Once there most traffic goes left making a clockwise loop. This isn't a rule but is preferred especially on weekends.

Tamarancho is a great place for people with a little experience and wanting to up their "technical riding". I have taken beginners here and they were able to ride but didn't have nearly as much fun as they were fighting the roots, rocks and switchbacks a lot. This is a nice ride for those who like to climb a little then go down a little, climb a little, go down a little.

There is also a very cool flow trail (pump track) about 6 miles into the ride. The locals have named it Endor and it is a very fun section for those of you who want to get a nice calf burning ride down a fast smooth track.

Tamarancho is on average a 2 hour ride for most but with a experienced group it can be done in a little over an hour, on the other hand if you take a beginner I have seen 3-4  hour rides take place. Many say this is the last "legal singletrack" in Marin, this is not true but it is some of the best.

I think the highlight for me is the different sections of Tamarancho almost feel like a different ride, one minute your going through rock gardens in the open and the next your in redwoods shredding singletrack.

There are other routes into Tamarancho that can make it a longer ride, if you come in through Whites Hill you can add about 5-10 miles to you ride.