Bear Valley to Arch Rock Hike (6/7) Preview

For the third week in a row we head out to Point Reyes National Seashore for our weekly outing.  As far as Dick Jordan can recall, we have not done this particular hike in the last three years, although we have done Bear Valley to Divide Meadow and back and our recent Sky Trail to Bear Valley hike took us from Divide Meadow back to Bear Valley.

Here’s Wendy’s brief description of the trek:  “This is longer than our usual hike (about 8 miles), but it's easy walking with fire road much of the way and not much elevation gain. Be prepared to get back later than 1:45 pm.”

Directions to trailhead: Take Sir Francis Drake Boulevard west from Fairfax. Turn right at Olema and make an immediate left onto Bear Valley Road. From Bear Valley Road. turn left to the Visitor’s Center.
Time: 50 minutes from College of Marin.  Carpoolers can meet at St. Rita’s Church in Fairfax at 9:10 a.m.  Restrooms at trailhead, outhouse at Divide Meadow.

Weather forecast:  As of Friday, June 3, the National Weather Service forecast for Tuesday’s hike was mostly sunny, with a high near 64.  (Click here for an updated forecast; you can also check the real-time weather at the Visitor Center).

More on this hike:  Hike “F4 Bear Valley Trail to Arch Rock” in the Martins’ book, Hiking Marin, shows the route from we’ll take.  (You can find the Bear Valley to Divide Meadow Trail on the park’s South District Trail Map).