We'll return to
Point Reyes National Seashore for this hike which we do every year in April. (
Click here for a recap of our 2010 trek. You can also view
photos taken on past hikes.)
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'll see elephant seals at the overlook
and 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 Tuesday, March 26, the National Weather Service forecast for the
Point Reyes Lighthouse area was mostly cloudy, with a high near 51. (
Click here for an updated forecast).
Real-time weather reporting for the Point Reyes Lighthouse is also available (
click here).
Sometimes it is very windy when we do this hike, so in addition to
your rain gear (if the forecast changes), 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 larger image in your Web browser).
