Bikers Beware: Camino Alto Closed Through Thursday

Camino Alto is a popular commuter route for Marin cyclists, but this week the windy road that connects Mill Valley and Corte Madera is closed in both directions for brush cleaning.

Since Monday it’s been off limits to bicyclists, pedestrians and motorists from Overhill Road to Chapman Drive between 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Mill Valley Public Works Aid Peggy Segale said the work is scheduled to last until Thursday, with “fingers crossed” it finishes up sooner.

The city installed flashing signs on East Blithedale by Overhill notifying residents that the road is closed, and Corte Madera has similar signage at the Chapman end. Mill Valley also posted a notice on the city website.

The closure occurs annually, with Mill Valley and Corte Madera coordinating brush-cleaning efforts, Segale said. However, it seems the shutdown has gone relatively unnoticed by many in the community. 

“I have never in my 13 years here heard of this happening,” said Kim Baenish, executive director of Marin County Bicycling Coalition.

At Tam Bikes, owner Quac Phan was also surprised.

“Usually people come in and complain about stuff,” he said. “And I haven’t seen anything on Facebook.”

Baenish recommends bikers take the alternative Horse Hill route along the bike path linked by Lomita Drive.

Since Camino Alto is used regularly, Baenish said a better solution would be to close one lane at a time, but Segale said the vegetation clearing is done all at once for safety reasons.

“We try to get the word out,” Segale said.