Point Reyes Adventure

Highlights:

Point Reyes National Seashore Exploration.

Details

Trip includes: camping and parking, 3 breakfast and 3 dinners, 3 days of guided hikes by knowledgeable leaders. Showers available at campground.       

Average Daily Hiking: The first day is short walks in the Visitor Center Area with an option for a 5.5 mile walk. Days 2 and 3 hikes will be about 8 miles. We will be exploring remote beaches including scenic sculpture Beach, a loop trail taking us along the CCT, and an historic dairy farm. Expect wildflowers.

Types of Hiking Surface: maintained trails, uneven ground, beach.

Elevation Gains and losses: optional hike 1000ft. gain. Other hikes modest elevation gains.

Fitness Requirements: participants should be able to hike 8 miles at a moderate pace. 5 hours of hiking.

Transportation: We will be ride sharing to reach trailheads on days 2 and 3

Day 1: Friday, June 7

10 AM or 2 PM – Meet at the Bear Valley Visitor Center at 10 or the Olema Campground after 2.

Explore the Visitor Center area, including a fascinating walk on the short Earthquake Trail, where you can see and   learn about the effects of the great earthquake of 1906. Optional 5.5 mile loop hike to Mount Wittenberg.

6 PM – Dinner

7 PM – Campfire and get to know you.

Day 2: Saturday, June 8

 7-8 AM Breakfast
 9 AM – Depart for trailhead. We will carpool to the Point Reyes Hostel and hike the coastal trail along rich wetlands, then on the beach to reach dramatic Sculptured Beach. We can scramble on the rocks to see the effects of waves on these sedimentary rocks. This is an 8 mile loop with one moderate climb.
 6 PM – dinner

7 PM – campfire & Talk by Executive Director of Coastwalk, Cea Higgins

Day 3: Sunday, June 9

7-8 AM breakfast
9 AM – Depart for trailhead. We’ll carpool to Abbots Lagoon trailhead. This hike takes out to the scenic lagoon, then    along isolated North Beach. After lunch we will head for historic Pierce Point Ranch with well-preserved ranch building, to learn about how this ranch provided high grade butter and cream for the inland communities and San Francisco. This is a 6 mile hike.
 6 PM – dinner
7 PM – Short presentation around the campfire

Day 4: Monday, June 10

7-8 AM breakfast

Departure after breakfast: we will pack up early and head for home. For those who wish to explore more the leaders can point to numerous other great hiking opportunities

What to Bring

• Lunch for 3 days. Leftovers from the previous evening’s dinner may be available
• plate, bowl, utensils, cup, cloth napkin
• Tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag pillow
• Hats (warmth and sun protection)
• Jacket, wind and water-resistant Long pants, Hiking shorts
• Hiking boots & Walking shoes
• Vest
• Long Sleeve shirt
• Sweater
• Underwear Tee shirts & comfortable quality socks
• Bandanna, handkerchief
• Sleep wear
• Poncho or rain gear
• Toiletries Soap or body wash, shampoo (Bio based/biodegradable)
• Tooth brush, toothpaste & dental floss; comb or brush
• Daily Medications and vitamins
• Sunscreen & Insect repellent
• Towel and wash cloth
• Personal first-aid items
• Flashlight or head lamp (bring extra batteries)
• Folding chair/ camp chair
• Day pack
• Canteen, hydration pack or 2 water bottles, 1 liter minimum
• Personal Snacks

• Nice to have

  Camera

  Binoculars

  Tupperware container, for left overs

Brenda & Brenda Nichols: Richard and Brenda have been volunteering at Coastwalk since 1982. During that time, they organized and led walks and performed various administrative functions. Richard became the Executive Director of Coastwalk in 1990 and retired in 2006. As Executive Director, he played a pivotal role in the passing of SB 908-the key legislation which established the California Coastal Trail as a State Trail.  Richard coordinated and completed the first border to border Coastwalk in 1996 and subsequently authored with Bob Lorentzen 2 comprehensive guides on hiking the California Coastal Trail. Brenda provided support for Coastwalk while also working in administration at the SRJC Disability Resources department and retired in 2008.
 
 When they moved to Sonoma County, the Nichols discovered the wild and beautiful coast and met the first organizers of Coastwalk. The goal of the first walk in Sonoma County in 1983 was to promote the idea that the coastal access is for everyone, and the shoreline needs to be protected from pollution and overdevelopment. The California Coastal Trail became an important symbol and a concrete example of coastal access and under the Nichol’s leadership, the stewardship and completion of the CCT became a primary goal of Coastwalk. 
 
 Brenda & Richard make their home on the outskirts of Sebastopol and continue to be involved in local politics and the environment. They co-founded the advocacy group Sebastopol Tomorrow, and were early advocates for saving and restoring the Laguna de Santa Rosa. They have worked to elect City Council and County Supervisor candidates who reflected thier desires for a healthy environment and controlled growth.

Brenda & Richard are avid hikers and travelers, enjoy music and film. They are currently attending memoir writing class compiling stories of their exciting travels & environmental and social justice advocacy histories. 

Point Reyes National Seashore:

https://www.nps.gov/pore/index.htm

Point Reyes Association:

http://www.ptreyes.org/

Tomales Bay State Park:

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=470

Olema campground:

https://www.olemacampground.net/

Samuel Taylor State Park:

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=469

 Towns and activities in West Marin:

https://pointreyes.org/

Film about preserving Pt. Reyes:

Rebels With A Cause