Of the three main valleys in the Marin Headlands, Gerbode is the only one that isn't split down the middle with a road (fire roads don't count). This trailhead (signed by NPS as Rodeo Valley) is popular with equestrians, cyclists, and hikers, but if you go early on a weekday, you may find you have the trails to yourself.
      Any hike you start from the valley floor will include somewhat of a climb. The shortest (and easiest) is the described featured hike. Bobcat Trail is an easy climb to Wolfback Ridge, and from there if you continue north on Bobcat (part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail), then take Miwok Trail to the south, you'll create a 5 mile loop that encircles Gerbode Valley. For a grand tour of Gerbode and Tennessee Valleys with lots of elevation change, hike Bobcat, then descend to Tennessee Valley on Miwok Trail, and return uphill on Old Springs Trail, then downhill to the trailhead on Miwok. This is a loop of more than 6.5 miles. If you enjoy hiking from this trailhead, take a look at the pages for the adjacent Tennessee Valley Trailhead and Rodeo Beach Trailhead for more ideas.
     Spring seems to arrive ahead of schedule in the Headlands, and Gerbode Valley coddles some of the earliest bay area wildflowers. Even when the vibrant green of winter fades to a washed-out summer patina, you can still find some late bloomers and lingering flowers. The Headlands is one of my favorite summer hiking destinations. Our typical summer coastal weather pattern of morning fog keeps the hills shrouded with cool mist, and hiking is pleasant. If you love to see leaves change in autumn, look elsewhere. There are few trees in these hills, and virtually no colorful leaves.
     For the featured hike, start by walking across the bridge near the Rodeo Valley Trailhead sign. In the winter after heavy rains, the stream under the bridge rushes south, and early wildflowers including vetch and milkmaids grow in the mist. Once over the bridge, the trail, open to cyclists, equestrians, and hikers, emerges in Rodeo Valley. At about 300 feet, the level connector path meets Rodeo Valley Trail at signed junction. Turn left onto Rodeo Valley Trail.
     This trail runs parallel to Bunker Road at the edge of Rodeo Valley, on a wide, multi-use trail. Willows thrive on the left near the creek, and coyote brush, bush lupine, and fennel dot the grassland. In summer many birds feast on fennel seeds, and you might see great clouds of red-winged blackbirds and other small birds. At 0.41 mile, stay to the right at a triangle-shaped intersection, then bear right onto Bobcat Trail.
     This broad fire road, open to hikers, equestrians, and cyclists, climbs over 600 feet to the top of Wolfback Ridge. The grade is gentle at first, ascending along a willow-lined creek and through grassy fields of fennel, then cutting a swath through a large clump of eucalyptus trees before intensifying the climb. You might see a few old fruit trees along the sides of the trail. As you leave the valley floor behind, a variety of plants jumble together across the hillside to the right. Look for California coffeeberry, poison oak, sagebrush, lizardtail, toyon, snowberry, honeysuckle, ceanothus, and blackberry. About a mile up there are views back to the ocean. On the sides of the trail several rock outcrops are prominent. Vultures, kestrels, and redtail hawks hunt in the skies above the valley, while cottontails scurry about evading their predators. In the rainy months, the sound of water rushing downhill into Gerbode Valley accompanies your climb. Moisture loving plants appear, including creambush, hazelnut, and even a single shrubby madrone. At 2.38 miles, you'll reach a signed junction with hiking-only Rodeo Cutoff Trail. (If you want to extend your hike to include a walk along Wolfback Ridge, continue straight on Bobcat, then turn right onto Wolfback Ridge Trail, then right again onto Rodeo Valley Trail.) Turn right onto Rodeo Valley Cutoff Trail.
      I prefer this shortcut hiking-only trail to the longer, fire road loop, but Rodeo Cutoff Trail can be overgrown, so be sure to stay on the trail, out of the poison oak. The narrow path stretches across the ridge top, dropping over into Rodeo Valley. Views to the north feature all three peaks of Mt. Tam, and to the west the ocean shines; on a clear day the Farralon Islands may be visible. In winter the trail is often wet, and you may have to walk through standing water as seasonal seeps flow downhill. Coyote brush is the dominate trailside plant, but you might also see sagebrush, toyon, and monkeyflower. Stay to the left as a small trail heads out to the west. The worst overgrown sections of Rodeo Valley Cutoff Trail are just before the path descends sharply to Rodeo Valley Trail. Poison oak chokes the path along with coyote brush and blackberry brambles. After a short rocky and somewhat steep descent, Rodeo Valley Cutoff Trail ends at 3.10 miles, at an unsigned junction with Rodeo Valley Trail. Turn right onto Rodeo Valley Trail.
     Enjoy the views of the city and Hawk Hill to the south as you hike downhill on this portion of trail that is closed to cyclists. (Note: if you are hiking this loop in the other direction, Rodeo Valley Cutoff Trail can be hard to spot, especially in summer. Look for the steep, narrow but obvious path heading uphill to the left.) Rodeo Valley is what the GGNRA calls a wet meadow. It certainly supports a lot of wildlife, including deer, coyote, bobcat, and about a million birds. The north slope is mostly chaparral, with interesting rock formations (watch out for poison oak) mixed through coyote brush, fennel, and thistles. A few giant chain ferns mark a wet seep. In summer you might see purple and pink blossoms of sweet pea vines. The valley floor is vibrant with small willow trees and aquatic grasses which sway delightfully in the ocean breeze. Some small springs keep the trail damp in the spring and almost lawn-like in the summer. As the trail flattens out, look for an extensive display of twinberry shrubs on the left. At 4.57 miles, you'll reach a previously encountered junction. Turn left and retrace your steps to the trailhead.

Total distance: 4.63 miles
Last hiked:  Tuesday, July 31, 2001

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