Tristan's Patent Day Trips: Hike the Crookedest Railroad in the World

"The Crookedest Railroad in the World" was the scenic early-1900's Mt. Tamalpais & Muir Woods Railway.  It is no more, but one can still see it's crooked ways in this rugged day-trip hike up the many turns and twists of the old railroad grade trail to the summit of Mount Tamalpais.

Rail-truck climbing up the grade at Double Bow-Knot.  (Wurm & Graves)

The hike starts at the Panoramic Highway, which is itself worth the drive.  The parking lot is across the street from the old Mountain Home Inn, a B&B and nice-enough restaurant.  Their wine and cheese list will make a great finale to this hike -- something to look forward to! 

There are two ways to do this summit hike:  steep and short(er) or long and steady.  Either way is a 1500-foot climb.
The railroad maintained an average 5% grade with the steepest bits being only 7% uphill.
The steep and short(er) uphill climb starts by going past the fire station up Hog Back road.  This is a graded fire road.  One can continue all the way to the summit along Hog Back ridge, but I recommend going up the Old Railroad Grade fire road and then up the secluded Fern Creek trail.
Both routes lead to the Mount Tamalpais East Peak parking lot.  Here there is a flat trail which circumnavigates the summit, giving 360-degrees of views, Bay Area fog allowing.   It is worth noting Mount Diablo to the East-ish, as well as seeing how many Bay Area landmarks one can recognize.  I recommend binoculars!  On the North face of the peak, there is a switchback to the summit proper, for more views from the observatory.  Once satiated, head down to check out what is called the Gravity Car Barn.  This (and the parking lot) is the site of the former Tavern of Tamalpais, which used to be a swinging spot during Prohibition.

At the time, this was the world's longest roller-coaster.  (Wurm & Graves)

Pretending to be riding on a gravity car, follow the Old Railroad Grade and Gravity Car fire roads at 5% all the way back down to the Mountain Home Inn where one parked.  On the way down, the West Point Inn is also very hospitable and dates from the railroad days.  Doing this hike in either direction, it makes a very nice stop.  Continuing on the Old Railroad Grade past where the Hog Back fire road comes up, one comes to the crookedest part of the former Mt. Tamalpais & Muir Woods Ry. called the Double Bow-Knot for the way that it snakes back and forth.  Here is the wye which took the railroad either to Mill Valley (via Old Railroad Grade) or over past Mountain Home Inn to Muir Woods (via Gravity Car).