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Bothin Fire Road
2 reviews
4.5 of 5
A totally deserted, steep fire road that tops out on a saddle next to private land at the extreme northern edge of Tamarancho Boy Scout property. Once you hit the fence denoting private land, take the very narrow (and very obvious) single-track to your left. Enter the forest canopy and head up another 50 yards to hit another fire road. Go left and in one minute you see the Tamarancho sign to your left. Continuing on takes you around to the west edge of White's Hill.
If you want an alternative route to Tamarancho, park in downtown Fairfax and head west on Sir Francis Drake for about 2 miles. Just a quarter mile after you begin ascending White's hill, you'll see a sign on your left (Bothin Youth Camp). The fire road heads up to the right just past a MCOSD gate.
Summary: Tamarancho is a great trail. Kudos to the trailbuilders. I appreciate the new route rec. and will take it. But I don't plan to drive there. I'll just ride there. But my point - don't be intimidated by any "madness at the bottom of Iron Springs". Feel free to park legally anywhere that you want. Don't legitimize ANY of the whiners. The years one can enjoy off road are too short to listen to curmudgeons complain of "too fast", "don't park here", or "you shouldn't be allowed to trail build"... Ride Iron Springs and everying of Tamarancho. It's your right and don't let any whiner discourage you in ANY way.
Recommended Route: Whatever way you want to get to Tamaracho is your business.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Pine Mt., Alto, Tam, Rocky Ridge blah, blah, and of course, blah.
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Review Date September 24, 2002
Overall Rating 4 of 5
Ridden Trail: Once a week
Reviewed by: G. Wright
, from Fairfax, CA
Summary: I lived in San Anselmo for six years and never found this. But I'm a Fairfax boy now, and this is a legit way of taking legal dirt trails up to the Boy Scout camp without looping all the way around to Woodacre or Pine Mountain. The prospect of having a "back door" to Tamarancho is appealing, given the shouting of residents along Iron Springs Road. The fire road is a stiff climb, but totally do-able and largely shaded. Its not the most interesting ride, although it has cool views from the saddle of the Bay, SF, and on the other side, San Geronimo and Woodacre. I've never seen anyone on it, and its pretty bomber going down, sort of like a short Repack. It hooks up with the extreme northeastern edge of B-17, and also affords access to San Geronimo Ridge, Pine Mountain and White's Hill. Always be careful crossing Sir Francis Drake, as the lines of sight at this juncture are not great. All in all, an advanced beginner can do it and avoid the scene at the Iron Springs Trail head.
Recommended Route: See above. Three stars for the fire road, an extra half star for the single-track quarter mile extension and a bonus half star for the alternative access to Tamarancho.
Other recommended trails in the same area: B-17, Pine Mountain, Wagon Wheel.
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4.5 of 5
5 of 5
4 of 5
