Muir Woods aka "Beer Woods"

The Chronicle has a front-page feature today celebrating the 100th anniversary of Muir Woods. I was out there on Saturday, celebrating a little early. We found a trail that leads to German-style brew haus on the top of a mountain!

We started our journey through "Beer Woods" at the park entrance, dodging the throngs of camera wielding tourists. We connected to the Ocean View Trail, following it up about 1.5 miles through spindly redwood forests and trickling streams. There was a very annoying group of behind us--one woman had the legs of a linebacker and the booming voice of an inner city high school teacher. We tried our best to get away, but they kept gaining us.
Finally, we rested at the interesection with the Panorama Trail and followed the Redwood Trail to a three-story chalet, known as the "tourist club."The place keeps eccentric hours (it's closed the second weekend of the month) and there's no food, only fantastic brews. I downed a Speakeasy IPA, and a frothy dark beer, before heading back on the Dipsea aka "Tipsy"Trail.