Bull Point (July 8) Hike Preview

This week we head through Inverness, but go farther west to hike in the Point Reyes National Seashore rather than in Tomales Bay State Park. Here's Wendy's description for this hike: "A beautiful but soggy (in places) walk timed to see the coast lily blooming at its only site in Marin! Other endangered flowers we’ve seen other years include the swamp harebell, large-flowered Linanthus, and Point Reyes checkerbloom. We may also see yellow-eyed grass, tinker's penny, white-flowered bog orchid, and Hooker’s evening primrose. Some off trail walking but very little elevation gain." (Click here to check out what we saw the last time we did this hike on July 8, 2008).

Directions to the trailhead: Take Sir Francis Drake Boulevard west to Olema. Turn right on Highway 1, then make an immediate left onto Bear Valley Road. Continue past the road to Park Headquarters (stop here for a restroom break; there are no porta-potties at the trailhead) and go left when you hit Sir Francis Drake again. Go through Inverness. Go left at the "Y" (right takes you out to Pierce Point) and pass MCI and RCA stations on your right. The Bull Point parking lot will be on your left.

Carpool leaves St. Rita at 8:50 am.

Weather forecast: As of Thursday, July 2nd, the National Weather Service forecast for this area on Tuesday, July 8th was for patchy fog before 11am, otherwise mostly sunny with a high near 56. (Click here for an updated forecast).

More on this hike: Hike "H11 Bull Point and South Beach Trails" in the Martins' book, Hiking Marin, shows this as 4.0 mile out and back hike. Tracy Salcedo-Chourre's book, Exploring Point Reyes National Seashore and Golden Gate National Recreation Area, pegs it at 3.6 miles as does the park's North District Hiking Map. The Google Earth image below shows the area where we'll be hiking. (Click on the image to open a larger version in your Web browser).