San Pedro Mountain is shared by three different public agencies. San Rafael's Barbier Park offers access from the south, China Camp State Park sprawls on the mountain's northeast slopes, and the Marin County Open Space District manages a small chunk on San Pedro's northwest side. Barbier Park's trails (all fire roads) begin at the edge of residential neighborhoods in San Rafael, and you may spend more time than you'd like trying to find the trailheads. China Camp is a popular destination -- with a handful of trails all leading to Ridge Fire Road, you'll share even the narrow trails with cyclists. The open space preserve offers easy access and free parking about 1 mile from US 101, and a hiking only route to the ridge. The only catch is that Woodoaks Trail is steep. A trekking pole is recommended.
     Begin at the end of Wood Oaks Drive. Hiking-only Woodoaks Trail starts to the right of the barricade at the end of the street, marked by a MCOSD sign. The first steps on this narrow path ascend easily, through a sparse assortment of broom, toyon, manzanita, madrone, coast live and white oak, and California bay. On my hike I surprised a family of four deer bedded down in some grass on the right. You'll step across a tiny seasonal creek, then the trail curves left and crosses a more substantial stream. There was little water in May, but the rocky creekbed may feature a small waterfall in the wet months. Woodoaks Trail begins a steep climb along a the west-facing slope of a canyon. Although the ascent is broken up a bit by a few switchbacks, even they are incredibly steep, some treacherously so. Madrone are common, and along with black oak the trail is mostly shaded, with some grassy stretches where you might see zigadene blooming in early spring, iris in late spring, and soap plant in summer. Honeysuckle vines dangle from trees, showing off pretty red berries in autumn. Traffic noise from San Pedro Road and US 101 is constant, although it does fade a bit as the trail climbs. One pretty half-charred madrone arches over the trail, and in May the last of the season's urn-shaped flowers spilled down like an arbor in a fragrant garden. As Woodoaks Trail crosses to the eastern slope of the hillside, you'll pass into an area where manzanitas are replaced with coyote brush. Madrone, coast live oak, and California bay line the trail as it ascends straight up. Look for a grove of redwoods off the trail to the left. The climb seems relentless, although there are a few brief stretches where the grade eases up. Woodoaks Trail crests, still under heavy tree cover. The trail forks at a signpost -- take either branch, as the paths loop around a few short coast live oaks and rejoin on the other side. As the trail veers west, look for a well-worn path on the left, which ends after a few feet at a dramatic lookout. Continue on Woodoaks Trail through a landscape dominated by manzanita. The vegetation pulls back for a few feet, and you'll have sweeping views north of the civic center area and Big Rock Ridge. The trail descends, ending at an undersigned junction at 0.89 mile. Turn right.
     San Pedro Mountain Fire Road, a multi-use trail, climbs a bit, to a broad clearing at 0.93 mile. The views southwest to Mount Tamalpais are irresistible. Turn around and head back east on the fire road, passing Woodoaks Trail.
     Slightly downslope of the ridge, the fire road descends at a moderate grade, through monkeyflower, coyote brush, sagebrush, and chamise, which puts forth a froth of sweet-smelling blossoms in May. There are views south, past another arm of the mountain, to the bay. Look for clarkia in bloom in late spring along the wide trail. Coast live oak and California bay trees close in on the trail and at 1.24 miles you'll reach a saddle, with a trail (not on the map) marked with a "no bikes" sign departing to the left. Continue uphill on the fire road.
    Ignore the shortcut trails that break off on both sides of the trail. The grade stiffens as it ascends through a thick mixture of coast live oak, chamise, manzanita, madrone, and California bay. Look for mule ear sunflowers in late spring. San Pedro Mountain Fire Road levels out a bit, although the trend is still an upward one. Views are blocked by tree cover. The trail takes a sudden dive downhill, then ends at a gate, at 1.65 miles. Turn right.
     A large sign on the left marks the entrance into Barbier Park. Paved Bay Hills Fire Road ascends slightly, then reaches the Nike missile site at 1.73 miles. There are knockout views of Mount Tam to the south, and the shoreline of China Camp and San Pablo Bay to the north. If it's lunch time, make use of the nearby picnic tables. When you're ready, retrace your steps back to the trailhead. Be careful hiking downhill on Woodoaks Trail, as it is so steep the descent is a rough one.

Total distance: 3.38 miles
Last hiked: Monday, May 20, 2002


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