United StatesCalifornia Marshall Wall West
Marshall Wall West Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

1
FIETS
3.1 mi
DISTANCE
783 ft
GAINED
4.4 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
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INTRO

The Marshall Wall West and East climbs are located in the northwestern corner of Marin County and are quite rural and remote. The landscape is almost exclusively rugged pastureland with some views of the Pacific Ocean and Marin County's Arroyo Sausal Reservoir.  This climb begins just off Hwy 1 and climbs past a neat old church and quickly into ranch and dairy land.  Looking back along the first mile of the ride we have some nice views of Tomales Bay. 
Average grade is 4.4% (5.6% for climb only).  15% of the route is descent, 31% 0-5% grade, 47% 5-10% and 6% is at 10-15% grade.  The steepest quarter mile is 9.4%.  

See more details and tools regarding this climb's grade via the “Profile Tool” button above.
Roadway:  Two lanes in fair to good condition with no shoulder.

Traffic:  Minimal - you are more likely to encounter a milk transport semi-truck and trailer than automobile. 

Parking:  At climb start in Marshall along Hwy 101 - Map; Street View.
Provisions: Hog Island Oyster is a cool restaurant and venue at the climb start, or in Inverness 14 miles south, Tomales Bay 21 miles south or Dillon Beach Resort 11 miles north. 
Before heading out on any cycling adventure check out our Things to Bring on a Cycling Trip and use our interactive check list to ensure you don't forget anything.
A nice out and back ride this climb together with Marshall Wall East - 12 miles and 1,385' (Map). 

Use the “Routes in Area” button in the menu to see other bike climbs are in the area.

There are some great places to stay in nearby Bodega Bay. There are many great house rentals in Marin County too.

ROUTE MAP

MEMBER RATING

Difficulty: Moderate
3
Road
5
Traffic
4
Scenery

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Apr 4, 2021
difficulty: Moderate
scenery: 4
traffic: 5
road: 3
Apr 4, 2021
scenery: 4
traffic: 5
road: 3
Really nice views of rolling open farmland and lots and lots of cows. Brought back memories of the Pyrenees! Very few cars along the ten miles on this road but road surface could be better with potholes mostly patched up. Steepest part of the climb was the kicker turning off of Highway 1.
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CLIMB SUMMARY

Cycling Marshall Wall West, Marin County, California - view from above of grasslands reaching Tomales Bay

Cycling Marshall Wall West, Marin County, California

Tomales Bay and Marshall Wall West climb just off center right.

Cycling Marshall Wall West, Marin County, California - photo collage, PJAMM Cycling logo in corner, winding two-lane road overlooking Tamales Bay, bike parked against wooden picket fence overlooking Tamales Bay, bike parked against wire fence in pastureland, thistles growing along edge of pasture, bike parked against roadsign

The Marshall Wall West and East climbs are located in the northwestern corner of Marin County and are quite rural and remote.  The landscape is almost exclusively rugged pastureland with some views of Tomales Bay, the Pacific Ocean, and Marin County's Arroyo Sausal Reservoir.  The climbs can easily be fit into 50 mile or less loops that begin in Novato or Petaluma, with the midpoint from either start the quaint coastal town of Point Reyes Station.  Here is a nice 36 mile loop used for the annual Team Swift Youth Cycling Club fundraiser.

Cycling Marshall Wall West, Marin County, California - photo collage, PJAMM Cycling logo in corner, bike parked against road sign for Marshall Petaluma Road, view of turnoff at Marshall and Highway 1 intersection, bike parked against stop sign at intersection, and along side of road

Climb begins in Marshall at T intersection of Highway 1 and Marshall Road.

This is the northernmost Marin county cycling climb.

Cycling Marshall Wall West, Marin County, California - aerial view of Tomales Bay and roadway along climb

View west towards Tomales Bay and the start of the Marshall Wall West bike climb.

Cycling Marshall Wall West, Marin County, California - photo collage, PJAMM Cycling logo in corner, St. Helens Church, bike parked against bell tower, bike parked on porch of little red church building against white front door

St. Helens Church is 50 yards up from the start.

 

Cycling Marshall Wall West, Marin County, California - hand written sign posted on trunk of Cypress Tree reading "BIKES, please no stopping here"

Now there’s an indicator of how popular this route is for cyclists.

Cycling Marshall Wall West, Marin County, California - photo collage, PJAMM Cycling logo in corner, climb gradient and map, bike parked at various locations including base of eucalyptus tree, road sign for curved roadway next 13 miles, cow crossing

After leaving the Pacific Ocean in our rearview mirror,

we are in cattle and dairy country.

Cycling Marshall Wall West, Marin County, California - bike parked against power line as large dairy truck drives by, views of expansive pastureland with brown dry grass, PJAMM Cycling logo in corner

There’s not much traffic on this ride, but . . .you know it when there is.

View west from the finish.

Do not seek these climbs out for a significant challenge, as the term "Wall" to describe these ascents is a bit of a misnomer.  The Marshall Walls are tame by comparison to other more appropriately named climbs in the North Bay (such as Rancheria and Pine Flat Walls).

Cycling Marshall Wall West, Marin County, California - Hog Island Oyster Company, Tomales Bay, California, PJAMM Cycling logo in corner

Hog Island Oyster Company is at the beginning of the climb.

Roadway Surface and Traffic Report:  There is very little traffic along this rural, narrow, two-lane roadway, but you may encounter very large milk transport trucks (see slideshow, above) -- this is dairy country, after all!  As with most of the Marin County roads, this one is in great shape.  

That’s a wrap!