Today was my first trip to the Marin County Stairways. I chose to check out the famous Dispea Stairs in Mill Valley. These stairs lead up to the Dipsea Trail. I was very impressed by the whole area. The trees were enormous and there were hardly any cars. There was a lot of friendly neighbors and walkers who helped guide me to get to the Dipsea Steps. It starts on Cascade Dr. I had went up about 10 minutes too far and finally found it by a park. Actually, the Dispea Stairs were located just in front of the park and up a small trail by a private driveway.
The stairway was a total of 680 steps, possibly the most in the bay area for any single stairway. It consisted of 3 different sections. The first was the lower part by Cascade Dr. Cascade had 313 stairs by itself. It had plaques on each of the steps towards the beginning. Donors had donated over a grand to have their names printed on them. After, there were about 200 or so wooden steps, and then about a final 30 or so rock steps.
Next, I headed right about half a block uphill to Ocean Way. The stairway continued up another 223 stairs. I had to make a stop about halfway up, as it was a heck of a climb. I appreciated the trees. Once I got to the top of the stairs, I headed left for about 100 feet and the stairway continued on Hale Lane, which was another 150 stairs. Anything over 100 is a climb, but that seemed small compared to the ones I had already ascended up to. I got to the top and took a picture of a hilly Marin view. Everyone in that town seems to know the Dipsea Stairs. It was a very impressive trip.
The stairway was a total of 680 steps, possibly the most in the bay area for any single stairway. It consisted of 3 different sections. The first was the lower part by Cascade Dr. Cascade had 313 stairs by itself. It had plaques on each of the steps towards the beginning. Donors had donated over a grand to have their names printed on them. After, there were about 200 or so wooden steps, and then about a final 30 or so rock steps.
Next, I headed right about half a block uphill to Ocean Way. The stairway continued up another 223 stairs. I had to make a stop about halfway up, as it was a heck of a climb. I appreciated the trees. Once I got to the top of the stairs, I headed left for about 100 feet and the stairway continued on Hale Lane, which was another 150 stairs. Anything over 100 is a climb, but that seemed small compared to the ones I had already ascended up to. I got to the top and took a picture of a hilly Marin view. Everyone in that town seems to know the Dipsea Stairs. It was a very impressive trip.
Bottom of Lower Dipsea Stairs, 313 total.
Middle of Lower Dipsea Stairs
Just appreciating the forest while on the stairs
Upper part of Lower Dipsea, now 2 more flights of steps to go
Bottom of Middle Dipsea, 223 steps
Final Dipsea Staircase just a little bit up the hill
The lower part of UPPER Dipsea, 150 steps
A view of Mill Valley at the top