Update on Easy Grade: March 7, 2025
California State Parks has secured funding through generous donations from the California State Parks Foundation. The Bay Area Ridge Trail and Roots and Branches Conservancy also contributed to the trail work required to allow bikes on Easy Grade Trail. Construction will begin this summer. Trail work to improve sightlines, manage drainage, and modify the grade can be completed in one season. This means Easy Grade should be open to ride by November 2025. Take a virtual tour of the trail here.
The initial request to allow bikes on Easy Grade came from the Bicycle Trails Council of Marin, Access4Bikes, and IMBA in 2007. However, it stalled due to a procedural change at State Parks. In 2015, MCBC drove it forward once more, leading the charge when we identified it as a priority in our 3 Gaps Initiative. The change in use to allow bikes on the trail was then approved by State Parks in 2019, but it has lacked funding for the required trail work until now.
This would not have been possible without the work of MCBC and members like you. Our partnership with California State Parks and generous donations from Bay Area Ridge Trail, California State Parks Foundation, and Roots and Branches also played a crucial role.
We’ll work closely with California State Parks to keep you updated on the project. Stay tuned for opportunities to help with the trail work. Then, celebrate with us on opening day.
July 22, 2019
Following closely on the heels of Azalea Hill’s recent approval, another 3 Gaps Trail Initiative project is primed to move forward. State Parks confirmed on July 17 (2019) that they will pursue a change in use for Easy Grade Trail. This will improve off-road bicycling connectivity on Mt. Tamalpais and move us closer to the completion of a continuous bike-legal dirt route from the Golden Gate Bridge to Pt. Reyes!
Once improved and adopted for bicycle use, Easy Grade Trail will provide an alternative to a narrow and curvy section of Pantoll Road. It links Pantoll Station with Mountain Play Theater and Rock Springs Fire Road. The approximate alignment is shown below with a dotted line. The project will provide a car-free route to the Theater and reduce vehicle trips. It will also close a bicycling gap in the Bay Area Ridge Trail.
MCBC met with State Parks and other stakeholders last week to preview the project and review outcomes from several rounds of input. The issues ranged from potential user conflicts to environmental impacts. Challenges in trail adaptation include realigning trail intersections to improve sightlines. Creating pinch points to minimize the likelihood of user conflicts and avoiding a serpentine habitat are also important.
The change-in-use approach avoids the cost and environmental impacts of building a brand-new trail. Instead, it takes advantage of a redundant trail. Old Mine Trail (hiker/equestrian) and Bootjack Trail (hiker only) will remain bike-free alternatives.
NEXT STEPS
A notice of determination was issued by State Parks in 2019. We are waiting for funding to implement the safety and resource enhancements associated with the project. CLICK HERE to see the planned enhancements. The trail will remain closed to bikes until work is completed.
ABOUT 3 GAPS INITIATIVE
Many people choose off-road bicycling specifically to avoid motor vehicle traffic and the fear of being struck by a car. Consequently, most mountain bikers report a diminished experience when riding any real distance in Marin due to the need to ride roads to connect trails.
MCBC’s 3 Gaps Initiative identified key gaps in Marin’s trail network. These include Dias Ridge, Azalea Hill, and Easy Grade Trail. Once all three are complete, you will be able to ride a bike-legal, natural surface route from the Golden Gate Bridge to Pt. Reyes. This will happen without exposure to vehicle traffic.
MEMBERS MAKE IT HAPPEN!
We’re excited to build on this momentum with several more projects that will increase access and improve trail connectivity. Our campaign aims to create new gravel and mountain biking opportunities in Pt. Reyes National Seashore and throughout Marin. Are you with us?
MCBC’s work to make bicycling safe, fun, and accessible relies on your generous giving. Please support the organization that makes your rides better by joining us today. Make a one-time or recurring gift to MCBC’s Off-Road Program.