Chimney Rock Hike (April 20) Preview

We'll return to Point Reyes National Seashore for this hike which we did just two weeks later in 2009 on April 7th. (Click here for a recap of last year's trek). Here's what Wendy promises for this outing: "This is one of Marin's must-see spring wildflower displays which includes some beautiful endangered flowers. We should see goldfields, tidy tips, California phacelia, coastal prairie larkspur, blue violets, rock cress, sea thrift and more! We can expect to see some elephant seals at the overlook and we'll take time to learn about their history and return from the brink of extinction. Bring binoculars if you have them."

Directions to trailhead: Take Sir Francis Drake Boulevard to Olema. Turn right at Olema onto Highway 1, then make an immediate left onto Bear Valley Road. (There are restrooms at the trailhead --- another 30-45 minutes down the road; if you need a restroom break now, take the first left off Bear Valley Road and stop at the Bear Valley Visitor Center).

Continue on Bear Valley Road until you pick up Sir Francis Drake again. Turn left to follow Sir Francis Drake out to Point Reyes. Go through Inverness. At the junction with Pierce Point Road, bear left and stay on Sir Francis Drake. Follow signs towards the Lighthouse and Drake’s Beach. You’ll pass the turn to Drake’s Beach on your left. Keep going until you see a left turn to Chimney Rock. (Sir Francis Drake continues on to end at the Lighthouse parking lot).

Driving time from the College of Marin: One hour, thirty minutes. (Carpoolers can meet at St. Rita's Church in Faifax about 8:30 am). Restrooms at trailhead. (If you need an earlier restroom stop, you can stop at the Bear Valley Visitor Center). Click here to view and print a copy of the park map for the Point Reyes National Seashore.

Weather forecast: As of Friday, April 3, the National Weather Service forecast for the Point Reyes Lighthouse area was mostly cloudy with a chance of rain and a high near 53. (Click here for an updated forecast). Real-time weather reporting for the Point Reyes Lighthouse is also available (click here). It was very windy when we did this hike last Spring, so in addition to your rain gear, be sure to toss some extra layers and a warm jacket and hat (bring some duct tape to "tie" your hat on your head) in your car in case it is "blowin' like snot" (a sailor's term for windy weather).

More on this hike: The general area covered by this hike is shown in hike "G13 PR Lighthouse and Chimney Rock" in the Martin's book, Hiking Marin and the "Chimney Rock" hike in Tracy Salcedo-Chourre's book, Exploring Point Reyes National Seashore and Golden Gate National Recreation Area. You can also view and print out a map of the Chimney Rock area from the Point Reyes National Seashore Web site. The Google Earth image below shows where we'll be on this outing. (Click on the photo to open a large image in your Web browser).