Greetings!
With the effects of the CoViD-19 pandemic lessening outdoors, we are now allowing mountain-bikers to travel around both directions. However, please keep in mind proper physical distancing while riding or when stopped to let others pass, and remember that we still suggest travel in a clockwise direction to improve traffic flow along the trail loop.
With the Summer weather conditions (sunny & dry), our trail network is suffering under extraordinary traffic levels while people have more flexible time working from home, or need to escape to the beautiful outdoor environment up on Fairfax Ridge at Tamarancho. As a concerned member of the mountain-biking community, we would appreciate you reading through this e-newsletter to find out how you can be a good recreation steward, or get involved and have more fun out on the trails of Tamarancho!
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Friends of Tamarancho Membership
Mid-Year Discounts on all 2021-2022 Trail Passes!
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The new 2021 ANNUAL Pass is valid for unlimited riding until December 31, 2021. The regular trail membership is $50 for the Individual Pass, and $75 for a Family Pass (2 adults 18 or older living in the same household, and up to 2 youth 16 or 17 years old).
The mid-year membership discount pricing effective July 20, 2021 is $25 for the Individual Pass and $45 for the Family Pass. Don't hesitate, buy yours today at the link below!
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The 2021-22 GOLD Pass is valid for multiple years until December 31, 2022. The regular cost for a GOLD Pass is $95 per Individual or $125 for the Family plan (2 adults 18 or older living in the same household, and up to 2 youth 16 or 17 years old).
The mid-year membership discount pricing effective July 20, 2021, is $65 for the Individual Pass and $95 for the Family Pass. Don't hesitate, buy yours today at the link below!
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To purchase a membership online with a credit card, visit the Tamarancho Mtn-Biking webpage with links for the various passes. If you don't want to purchase through the website, or if you want to pay by check, print out an application form: FoT Application and mail it to the Marin Council office.
Notes about the 2021 and 2021-22 passes:
For your FoT membership purchase, the appropriate plastic card pass displayed above will be sent to you by US Mail with our new helmet/waterbottle sticker shown here; please allow up to 30 days to receive your official pass. In the meantime, print your receipt or store a digital copy on your cellphone, and you can start riding the trails the same day!
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One-Day Trail Passes cost $5, and are available online; click here to purchase a 2021 Tamarancho Trails day-specific pass. When you buy one, print out the pass receipt on your own printer or save a digital copy on your cellphone, and carry it with you for verification when you ride at Tamarancho. Also, One-Day Passes are available for purchase at the following locations: Split Rock, Sunshine Bikes, and the Marin Museum of Bicycling (all in Fairfax), Caesar's Cyclery (San Anselmo), and Mike’s Bikes (San Rafael).
All Friends of Tamarancho Trail Passes are considered a donation and therefore tax deductible. If you have any questions, email the Friends of Tamarancho!
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Volunteer Trail Work Days are a Success!
Have you ever wondered who maintains these trails we love to ride? This is a trick question, because the answer is YOU!
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Thanks to numerous FoT volunteers on several Spring Saturdays that were organized and guided by Access4Bikes, significant portions of the classic Tamarancho loop were restored to much improved conditions! Trail work included mitigating downslope erosion and rebuilding several switchbacks on B-17, tread work on "Endor" Flow Trail, building a boardwalk across the lower meadow area on Serpentine, as well as addressing drainage issues and pulling out invasive Scotch and French broom throughout the loop. |
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But we need your help by joining a trail-work day this coming fall and winter season. All training, tools, and supplies are included. Our friends at Access4Bikes are currently planning projects and dates for these workdays. No one ever leaves these workdays without having a great time! Contributing to the trails brings great satisfaction and most work days they even provide LUNCH! Come on out and see what it's about. All Access4Bikes members will get an email with the work schedule. Membership is free; sign-up right here!
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Camp Tamarancho Bathroom Access |
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Unfortunately, there have been a few issues with human waste deposited alongside the forested bike trails. Please remember that there are only two locations on the Tamarancho Trail Loop where riders are allowed near the regular camp facilities to access the vault toilets and hand-wash stations on the Scout property. Please help us maintain these bathrooms and keep them clean for all users!
The northern access is located at the J-7 intersection on Broken Dam Trail leading uphill on the fire road through a chain gate 100 yrds to the Ghilotti Family Camping area.
The southern access is located at the J-2 intersection of Goldman and Serpentine Trails (shown in photo) leading north a quarter-mile along the fire road to the Twin Cities Campground.
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Mountain-Biking & Outdoor Ethics |
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As a Friend of Tamarancho, you agree to abide by the Tamarancho Trail Rules. Critical concepts to maintaining our network in top condition for the enjoyment of everyone, are the following ideas to help you recreate responsibly:
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Know Before You Go. Our trail hours are during daylight only, sunrise to sunset. Most importantly, all trails are closed after heavy precipitation during winter storms. We say, "when it rains, let it drain." A good rule of thumb is for every 1" of rainfall in central Marin, the trails need a day to dry out! We will be installing signage at the bottom of Iron Springs Road, and at the entrance kiosk to indicate trail closure. Please ride somewhere else and let our trails rest a while.
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Practice Physical Distancing. Six feet while hiking or resting, and 20 feet while riding are good physical distancing practices, and not just during these CoViD-uncertain times. Riding the loop is also restricted to traveling in a clockwise direction to improve social-distancing when encountering other riders on the trail.
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Plan Ahead. Always bring plenty of water and trail food, as well as clothing appropriate to the weather conditions which can vary dramatically from down in Fairfax or San Rafael. Have a Tamarancho Trails map with you and know the Tamarancho Trail rules.
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Play it Safe. Don't mix alcohol or drug-use when riding the narrow singletrack trails. Ride with a buddy for an extra measure of safety in remote areas. Always ride in control at a speed appropriate to the trail conditions and your skill level in order to reduce your risk of accident and injury. Reception can be quite spotty in the rugged Marin hills, so carry a cell phone and understand the Hold Harmless Agreement you committed to when purchasing your trail pass.
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Explore Locally. Limit your travel on narrow, busy Marin streets, and make use of local parks, bike trails, and County open space preserves as alternatives. Be mindful of your impact on the local communities, their traffic, businesses and residents.
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Leave No Trace. Respect the land, water sources and wildlife. Whatever you pack in for food and containers, please pack out! To practice more environmentally-sensitive mountain-biking recreation download these Tread Lightly TIPS!
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Build an Inclusive Outdoors. Be an active part of making the trail network safe and welcoming for everyone. Report any hazards or concerns to the Marin Council ASAP. You are a "Friend of Tamarancho!"
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Tamarancho Trail Pass Patrol Volunteers |
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All mountain-bike riders at Tamarancho must have a current One-Day pass, or an ANNUAL or GOLD pass. Some riders have day pass stickers from a bike store, some have the plastic membership passes attached to their bikes or packs, and others have pass receipt saved on their cell phone.
Overall compliance has been fairly good, but still there are a number of riders who are "poaching" on the private property owned by the Marin Council, BSA. This is a youth recreation facility, so technically it is considered to be similar to school grounds regarding youth protection from strangers and unknown adults trespassing without a Friends of Tamarancho pass.
Expect to see volunteer Tamarancho Pass Patrol members in orange vests checking passes on the trails. These volunteers will also be available to give directions, answer questions, and handout information about the membership program. Support bike-legal singletrack in Marin. Make sure you and your friends you are riding with all have a pass!
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www.boyscouts-marin.org | Kiosk on Iron Springs Road, Fairfax, CA 94935 |
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