Hiking at Point Reyes

One of the many wonderful things about Point Reyes is that it's so huge there's always some new place too explore. Every area is absolutely gorgeous and there's no entrance or parking fees. I've had the opportunity to go to Point Reyes the last two weekends in a row. Once with some friends to Tomales Point and once to Drakes Head with the Sierra Club.

I sort of wonder if I have been to Tomales Point before, the drive in seemed familiar but it may be that I have been to the nearby beach because I don't remember the hike at all. Tomales Point is at the northern end of the park and sticks out into the water. The big, blue Pacific Ocean on one side, the somewhat calmer Tomales Bay on the other. The trail out to the end of the point is almost 5 miles. This time of year it is covered in yellow lupine and poppies. A pasture on one side of the trail had a good herd of Tule Elk out enjoying the day. Many many were on the trail that day, I suspect they don't all go the full distance since some were starting out quite late. It would be a wonderful place to see the sunset. We picnicked in a sheltered spot on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific. There's maybe no better way to spend a Sunday.

The next weekend I hiked with the Sierra Club to Drakes Head and that was pretty awesome also. The trail we followed to Drakes Head is about 6 miles through lush green fields, and comes out overlooking Drakes Bay and Limantour Beach. Standing above Limantour Beach you can see just how very very long it is. The group spent some time staring down into Drakes Bay looking for Leopard Sharks and Bat Rays but the bay was empty except for a lone seal. We sat for a long while soaking in the beauty of a clear day along the coast. A good hike, great flowers and an incomparable view made for wonderful Saturday.

There is something about listening to the waves crash, feeling the salty wind and gazing out over the vast ocean that is completely relaxing. I should make more of an effort to visit Point Reyes. The drive usually puts me off, this year I've been lucky enough for three visits with other people driving. Which has been a good way to find new driving routes and a great bakery in Point Reyes Station. One of my friends from the midwest recently commented to me that he didn't much care for California until he went to Point Reyes and thinks it's the most beautiful place he's ever been. I tend to agree!