Mile 0.0: Begin either at the lot just past the ranger station, or from a handful of spots of the side of the road near the park entrance. Walk along the park road, as if you were going to the campground, but then after you cross Papermill Creek, veer left, following the sign "group picnics only." You'll pass the picnic area, and reach the gated start of Cross Marin Trail. Pioneer Trail starts on the right, but continue straight on Cross Marin Trail. The wide flat trail lined with tanoak, ferns, and Douglas fir, follows along Papermill Creek. Mile 0.5: Junction and bridge. The other end of Pioneer Trail heads right. Continue straight on Cross Marin Trail, and a long bridge passes over the creek and the road. Mile 0.6: Riding and Hiking Trail veers left. Continue straight on nearly flat Cross Marin Trail. You'll pass the group picnic area on the right. This segment can be noisy from traffic on Sir Francis Drake. Mile 1.2: Junction. Bear left onto Barnabe Trail. A mixture of coast live oak, Douglas fir, tanoak, maple, and buckeye provide shade, as the wide trail climbs rather steeply. Gradually the vegetation shifts to chaparral, then grassland, with groves or sprinklings of Douglas fir and coast live oak a constant companion. Ignore any unsigned side paths or fire roads and keep climbing on the main trail. The last stretch is nearly treeless, and permits excellent views. Be sure to look back over your shoulder from time to time, for glimpses of Kent Lake and Mount Tamalpais. Mile 3.2: Barnabe Trail curves left at a junction. You can continue uphill another 500 feet to the actual summit, but beware the no trespassing signs that mark adjacent private property. When you're ready, continue on Barnabe Trail. More great views west as the fire road descends. Mile 3.5: Junction. Turn right on Bill's Trail. The tiny trail leaves grassland behind and sets off into a mixed woodland of California bay, madrone, tanoak, and Douglas fir. The grade is easy as the trail winds downhill, across a few bridges and creeks. This is a long segment through quiet woods. Mile 6.5: Junction with path to Stairstep Falls. If you're visiting in late winter or early spring, you can take the optional out-and-back path, but there's usually not much water in dry months. Continue on Bill's Trail, which presses on downhill at a gentle pace. Mile 7.2: Bridge and junction. Continue straight, now on Riding and Hiking Trail. After over 7 miles of hiking, you may not appreciate this undulating fire road, which is truly best suited to horses. You'll climb out of the forest and into grassland on the low flanks of Barnabe Mountain. Mile 8.0: Junction. Stay to the right to remain on Riding and Hiking Trail. The trail now mostly sticks to a downhill grade, as it sweeps through chaparral. Continue straight where a spur descends right, toward Madrone Group Area. Ahead, Riding and Hiking Trail heads back into the woods, and descends sharply, almost reaching Sir Francis Drake. At the last minute the trail veers left. Mile 8.8: Junction. Turn right onto Cross Marin Trail, and retrace your steps back to the parking area. Mile 9.3: Back at the starting point.
