Happy Holidays 2022 & Annual Pass Renewal |
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Greetings!
With the changeable Autumn weather conditions (sunny & crisp, then cool & wet), our trail network is still a favorite place in Marin to escape to the beautiful outdoor environment up along Fairfax Ridge. 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! Special thanks to those riders who have reported trail hazards and other conditions needing attention recently!
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Tamarancho Trail Pass Memberships
Annual Renewals Discounted thru 01/15/23
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The 2023 ANNUAL Pass is valid for unlimited riding through December 31, 2023. 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 15 to 17 years old).
The new-year membership discount pricing effective November 24, 2022 is $45 for the SINGLE Pass and $70 for the FAMILY Pass. Don't hesitate, buy yours today at the link below . . . Prices go up after January 15, 2023!
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The 2023-24 GOLD Pass is valid for the next two years through December 31, 2024. 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 15 to 17 years old).
The new-year membership discount pricing effective November 24, 2022, is $90 for the SINGLE Pass and $120 for the FAMILY Pass. Don't hesitate, buy yours today at the link below . . . Prices go up after January 15, 2023!
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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 Scout Service Center.
Notes about the 2023 and 2023-24 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 $6, and are available online; click here to purchase a late 2022 or 2023 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: Splitrock Tap & Wheel, Sunshine Bicycle Center, 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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Winter 2022-23 Trail Work Days Scheduled! |
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Want to improve the trails you love to ride most? Got some mandatory community hours you need to earn for your mountain bike team? Need to accrue some trail karma? You can do all that and more this winter! One of our most popular trail networks, Tamarancho was built by volunteers in the early/mid 90’s and each winter relies on volunteers to do the work needed to keep it safe and sustainable. With your help, we’ll replace rotten trail supports, brush the sight lines, install winter drainage, and generally keep the dirt where it belongs!
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Organized by the Access4Bikes volunteers, mark your calendar for these Saturday Tamarancho trail work days in December & January:
December 3, 10 & 17
January 7, 14 & 21
All trail workdays begin at 9:00 am sharp and end at 12:30 pm. We meet at camp in the parking lot by the Ranger Office. You are free to drive up Iron Springs Road and park, or ride your bike up the trails. Look for the yellow ‘Trail Work’ sign! We will supply all the tools and supervision. Please bring gloves, sturdy shoes, water, and a snack. A bike is often helpful to access the more distant work sites. More details are available at the A4B website or by clicking on the photo below!
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History of the Tamarancho Bicycle Trails |
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When you are visiting Fairfax to ride the Tamarancho loop, don't forget to stop downtown at the Marin Museum of Bicycling and the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame to check out the amazing history of this outdoor recreation activity home-grown right here in Marin! Also, please see the updated recording of the very popular June 2018 Museum Speakers Series presentation:
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Hear the amazing story of how the Tamarancho mountain bike trail network was built directly from the people who built them! Featuring local legends of the Forest Knolls Freewheelers including Jim Jacobson, Danny Forer and Vernon Huffman! |
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Camp Tamarancho Bathroom/Water Access |
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Remember that there are two easy locations on the Tamarancho Trail Loop for your convenience where riders are allowed near the regular camp facilities to access the now flushing(!) toilets and hand-wash stations on the Scout property. Please help us maintain these bathrooms and keep them clean and in good working order for all users!
The southern access is located at the J-2 intersection of Goldman and Serpentine Trails (shown in photo at right) leading north a quarter-mile along the fire road through rolling meadows to the Twin Cities Campground.
The northern access is located at the J-7 intersection on Broken Dam Trail leading uphill through the forest on the fire road under a chain gate 100 yrds to the Ghilotti Family Camping area.
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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 growing 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 trails 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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Remember: "Friends don't let friends poach at Tamarancho!" |
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www.boyscouts-marin.org | Kiosk on Iron Springs Road, Fairfax, CA 94935 |
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