RMP001
Location: 37.9209938049316, -122.494331359863
Head south along the Phyllis Ellman Trail; trail starts to climb in 500 feet.
RMP002
Location: 37.9187393188477, -122.494171142578
Bear right @ Y-junction onto Phyllis Ellman Trail. Keep climbing—picturesque views of San Francisco are just over the hill.
RMP003
Location: 37.9176559448242, -122.494171142578
Stay left @ Y-junction and continue to climb past protruding serpentinite boulders, California's state rock.
RMP004
Location: 37.9170074462891, -122.494842529297
Turn left @ Y-junction and begin a short traverse along the hillside.
RMP005
Location: 37.9150466918945, -122.494331359863
Bear right @ Y-junction and hike past a small grove of old oak trees on the right.
RMP006
Location: 37.9126091003418, -122.494300842285
Turn right (southeast) on Phyllis Ellman Trail. Spectacular views of San Francisco and the central Bay Area begin to open up to the south.
RMP007
Location: 37.9115104675293, -122.493232727051
Turn left @ 4-way junction onto Ring Mountain Fire Road, heading east.
RMP008
Location: 37.9115943908691, -122.491554260254
Turn right @ 4-way junction onto side path. Walk south toward Turtle Rock, a massive boulder resting on the broad, flat ridge (also a popular bouldering site).
RMP009
Location: 37.9111289978027, -122.491554260254
Grab your camera and scramble atop Turtle Rock for sweeping panorama views of the northern Bay Area. Next, hike northwest on side path. In 200 feet, turn right @ T-junction onto Ring Mountain Fire Road.
RMP010
Location: 37.9117965698242, -122.48902130127
Turn right @ T-junction onto paved Taylor Fire Road.
RMP011
Location: 37.9106864929199, -122.488342285156
Bear left @ Y-junction onto an unnamed dirt road. Hike east towards the flat hilltop.
RMP012
Location: 37.9101333618164, -122.485542297363
A small grove of wind-blown bay trees marks the summit of Ring Mountain. Enjoy expansive views of the Bay Bridge, Angel Island and downtown San Francisco. Next: Retrace your steps to Waypoint 8; turn right to begin descent down hill.
RMP013
Location: 37.9133110046387, -122.491806030273
Trail passes an enormous coastal live oak tree whose branches twist down the hillside, resembling an octopus's tentacles.
RMP014
Location: 37.9138259887695, -122.49104309082
Bear left @ T-junction and hike down the path to Waypoint 2; turn right and head back to the trailhead.
Turtle Rock
Location: 37.911262512207, -122.49137878418
View from Ring Mountain
Location: 37.91015625, -122.485450744629
Live Oak
Location: 37.913215637207, -122.491821289062
Gigantic Oak Tree
Location: 37.913402557373, -122.491661071777
From Paradise Drive, hike south on the Phyllis Ellman Trail. In 500 feet, the path begins to climb, gaining elevation quickly and leaving the fast-paced Bay Area behind. Boulders, oak trees, and overlooks line the trail on the one-mile stretch to Turtle Rock, a massive boulder resting on the ridge. Continue hiking .5 mile to the top of Ring Mountain where you’ll find views of the Bay Bridge, Angel Island, and downtown San Francisco. The return trip back to the trailhead follows an unnamed dirt road and passes an impressive oak tree with tentacle-like branches.
Mapped by Matt Heid
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