Trevor and I took a day off and hiked the Palomarin Trail in Bolinas -- part of the Point Reyes National Seashore -- on Thursday. We did the 8 mile round trip to Alamere Falls.
Oh my, was it spectacular!
On the way, this mountain girl saw a bobcat for the first time! Other notable wildlife sightings included little bunnies on the trail, cranes, and the cutest baby squirrels -- which I thought were rats at first. Must. Get. Out. Of. The. City.
The trail begins with a jaunt through fragrant eucalyptus, and opens up into a dry but pleasantly shrubby dirt path:
It then meanders along the coastal ridge overlooking the ocean. The views are stunning:
Then the hike turns uphill, and you hoof it up a canyon through more scrub and oak and wildflowers, picking your way up a rocky trail. But it's worth it, for the rocks soon fall away and you are among lush ferns and pine trees, making your way by not one, but two, lakes.
Bass Lake is a gorgeous swimming area about two miles in where you can rest up and cool off, but my favorite -- even though there is no access for swimming -- is Pelican Lake, just a mile further up the trail. It is a basin that is always lively with numerous birds, with a view of the ocean through the hills that flank it:
A few more minutes from here is the entrance to the (unmaintained) trail to Alamere Falls. A half-mile slightly overgrown downhill trek toward the ocean brings you to Alamere Creek, which cascades down in four separate waterfalls:
One, two, three - where's the fourth? Off the cliffside overlooking the ocean, and onto the beach:
Can you believe it? I was in heaven. Not a soul around too. Careful footwork down the crumbly slate cliffside got us down to the beach. It was majestic.
Spent some time frolicking near the surf, and then realized we should be packing it up for the hike back while we still had the energy. Completely gorged on beauty (and PB and Js), we scrambled back up the cliffside and began our ascent.
Always more fun getting there than heading home:
Especially when the return is mostly uphill!
'tis okay -- we were rewarded nicely in Stinson Beach at the Sand Dollar Restaurant:
Oh blissful day!
Oh my, was it spectacular!
On the way, this mountain girl saw a bobcat for the first time! Other notable wildlife sightings included little bunnies on the trail, cranes, and the cutest baby squirrels -- which I thought were rats at first. Must. Get. Out. Of. The. City.
The trail begins with a jaunt through fragrant eucalyptus, and opens up into a dry but pleasantly shrubby dirt path:
It then meanders along the coastal ridge overlooking the ocean. The views are stunning:
Then the hike turns uphill, and you hoof it up a canyon through more scrub and oak and wildflowers, picking your way up a rocky trail. But it's worth it, for the rocks soon fall away and you are among lush ferns and pine trees, making your way by not one, but two, lakes.
Bass Lake is a gorgeous swimming area about two miles in where you can rest up and cool off, but my favorite -- even though there is no access for swimming -- is Pelican Lake, just a mile further up the trail. It is a basin that is always lively with numerous birds, with a view of the ocean through the hills that flank it:
A few more minutes from here is the entrance to the (unmaintained) trail to Alamere Falls. A half-mile slightly overgrown downhill trek toward the ocean brings you to Alamere Creek, which cascades down in four separate waterfalls:
One, two, three - where's the fourth? Off the cliffside overlooking the ocean, and onto the beach:
Can you believe it? I was in heaven. Not a soul around too. Careful footwork down the crumbly slate cliffside got us down to the beach. It was majestic.
Spent some time frolicking near the surf, and then realized we should be packing it up for the hike back while we still had the energy. Completely gorged on beauty (and PB and Js), we scrambled back up the cliffside and began our ascent.
Always more fun getting there than heading home:
Especially when the return is mostly uphill!
'tis okay -- we were rewarded nicely in Stinson Beach at the Sand Dollar Restaurant:
Oh blissful day!
Labels: glorious eating, happiness, outdoors
posted by Ammie at 12:50 AM
5 Comments:
A squirrel is just a rat in a fancy coat.
Glad to know you've got my back.
Beautiful.
Wife + I went out to Point Reyes on our honeymoon. Probably the most fun hike I've ever been on and I think about it all the time. Man I wish I lived out there.
We should all go when you're here in July.
I fully support that.
Post a Comment
<< Home