Resolution Trail

Dogs No Dogs

The Resolution Trail is a favorite in the Corte Madera area. Starting from the junction with El Corte de Madera Creek Trail, ascend steadily out of the dark canyon to the lighter, brighter canopy. Sections of level travel are interspersed with moderate inclines on twisty narrow trail. The terrain on Resolution changes from dirt trails at the bottom to rocky surfaces at top, making the last part of the incline more challenging.

The Resolution Trail is named after a DC-6 airplane which crashed into the side of this mountain in October 1953. Eight crew members and eleven passengers died in the accident. It was flying a leg of its route from Sydney to Vancouver and was attempting to land in San Francisco in heavy clouds/fog. The crash and fire destroyed the airplane and left debris strewn throughout the forest. Sharp-eyed folks might see a few twisted scraps of metal but it is illegal (and very disrespectful) to remove any artifacts from the site. The crash site is about halfway along the Resolution trail on the west/downhill side.

At a sharp switchback left, the Resolution Trail begins to ascend at a somewhat steeper grade. The trail becomes rocky, and one area is stripped of topsoil, leaving a sandstone surface. The sloping chaparral-covered hillside permits a rare view south, to a swath of conifers. The Resolution Trail ends at a T junction with Fir Trail (Upper) and Fir Trail (Lower). Note: bikes are allowed on the Resolution Trail.

Redwood, madrone, and tanoak abound.