The Dipsea Trail stretches 7 miles from Mill Valley to Stinson Beach, tracing the Redwood Creek watershed from the slopes of Mt Tamalpais to the sea. The Dipsea Trail crosses Redwood Creek in Muir Woods National Monument at the approximate midpoint of both the watershed and trail. Artifacts found near the Dipsea Trail suggest that indigenous Coast Miwok people followed a similar course from inland areas to reach the ocean. Redwood Creek flows year round, providing critical support to the Redwood stands and riparian corridors it touches en route to the sea. Water needy trees such as maple, willow and alder share space along the creek, while live oak, buckeye and bay occupy adjacent, drier soil beds. High winter waters provide Coho Salmon and Steelhead Trout safe passage upstream to their birthplace, where they in turn spawn the next generation.

Offshoots from the Dipsea, such as the Sun Trail, offer runners innumerable routing options

The Dipsea Race, America's oldest trail race, was first run in 1905, and is held on the second Sunday of June every year

Monkey Flowers are named so for their petal and markings' resemblance to a monkey face

Coastal chaparral supports taller shrubs with stiff, woody branches and thick leathery leaves that generally do not fall off or shrivel up during the dry summer months

The coyote's name is derived from an Aztec word meaning 'barking dog'

The final descent to Stinson Beach offers views over Bolinas Lagoon

Lilies are a common sight near residential areas along the Dipsea

Non native flowers are common along the Dipsea, especially in the populated hills over Muir Woods

The Dipsea Trail includes many stair segments of varying pitches and construction

Coastal fog provides perrenial moisture to redwood tree stands on the Dipsea Trail

Ocean view from the Dipsea Trail - On a clear day, the Golden Gate Bridge is visible

Passing through a redwood stand on the Dipsea

Fire is critical to a healthy coastal scrub and chaparral ecosystem. Both habitats include species that are well-adapted to wildfire, and will rebound after these naturally occurring disturbances

Ecological diversity is a hallmark of the Dipsea Trail

Spring wildflowers line the Dispea Trail

Ferns and arching laurel line a lush section of the Dipsea before reaching Stinson Beach

Coastal scrub and chaparral adapt to particular fire cycles, defined by the fire return interval, intensity, seasonality and other factors

Redwood Creek, an essential route for spawning salmon

The Dipsea Trail famously begins by climbing 676 stairs from the trailhead in Mill Valley