A well-marked and maintained trail system emanates from the Pantoll Ranger Station, offering hikers and runners innumerable routing options through Mt Tamalpais State Park. The Alpine, Bootjack, TCC and Stapelveldt trails form a short but varied loop through redwood stands and Douglas fir forests, providing visitors with a comprehensive ecological cross section of the park in a relatively short space. The following description begins on the Alpine Trail and travels clockwise from the Pantoll Ranger Station:

The Alpine Trail crests a small ridge then tilts down a steep gulch and away from Panoramic Highway to the Bootjack Trail junction (.35 miles : 1,270). Note young and old redwoods competing for space in these drier, upper-ravine soil beds with Douglas fir, oak, bay and buckeye. The Bootjack Trail shifts quickly through mixed forest past the Troop 80 Trail spur (.55 miles : 1,120') to the TCC Trail junction on the edge of Van Wyck Meadow (.67 miles : 1,032'). Enjoy a brief respite in the sunny clearing before crossing over Redwood Creek on the TCC Trail.

The TCC Trail rises steadily beneath a towering Douglas fir canopy and varied understory. Big-leaf maple have adapted to low light by producing the largest leaves of any maple, while the bay laurel has developed a root system that enables it to lean toward better lit openings in the forest. Tan oak leaves are especially efficient in synthesizing dappled light. This complex community is very important to animals such as the northern spotted owl, found only in old-growth forests where the understory is sufficient to protect it from predation and competition.

A winding climb continues to the TCC Trail - Stapelveldt Trail junction (2.1 miles : 1,248'), beyond which the grade steepens considerably on the final push back to the Pantoll Ranger Station. The Stapelveldt levels beside the Pantoll Campground (2.35 miles) and veers right, following signs for the Alpine Trail to complete the loop (2.45 miles : 1,480').