Point Reyes 2/25-27
Posted: Thu Feb 27, 2020 8:16 pm
I will do the trip report first, photos last.
A friend an I decided to take advantage of the unusually nice February weather for a "shake down" hike in Point Reyes. This would be the first backpack together, testing out compatibility for future trips. We both had some equipment that we needed to decide to "keep or toss". You know, all that stuff in your backpack closet. There is only so much you actually need.
After a slow drive from Sacramento to Point Reyes (we managed to hit Sacramento and Bay Area traffic messes) we picked up our permit and left at 11:00 AM. We were only going to Wildcat Camp which only took a few hours. We had group site 2 only to discover that the number on the air photo in the office was not the same as the numbers on the campsites. So we decided, what the heck, we would just set up were we wanted among all the group sites. Although we were told that Wildcat was "full", upon asking group sites were said to be available. The permit system is obviously not working well at Point Reyes. Many reserved sites are no-shows and there seems to be no effort to confirm no-show reservations for resale to first-come users.
We took a while to settle into an empty site, choosing one that would get the earliest morning sunlight and least chance of out-house fumes. Low tide was 6:30 so we felt safe starting down to Almere Falls at 4PM. There were a few others at the falls. I have never seen the falls at such low flow (nor have I seen the vegetation so dry this time of year). Poppies were in bloom but few other wildflowers were in bloom. We walked back and then went north as far as we could, farther than I had ever done due to the low tide. Back at camp we cooked dinner and watched the sunset. Dew point suddenly hit and instantly everything was wet, driving us into our tents. Sounds unbelievable, but according to my Garmin watch we hiked 13.5 miles in all; 3300 calories, 30,100 steps!
Eleven hours in a tent was about all I could take. I could see well enough to get out 6:30 to cook breakfast. Amazingly, the wind picked up enough at night to dry all the dew: yeh! got to pack a dry tent. Now, my friend is "triple crown" plus (did PCT twice) as well as numerous many long thru-routes worldwide, so even though we were doing a relaxed trip, we delayed our start to avoid getting to the next camp too early. We watched four elk graze on the nearby hillside. Sun struck our site, we drank coffee, chatted, leaving at 9AM. We took the Coast Trail to Coast Camp, getting there in time for lunch and a stroll both north an south down that beach. We nearly ran into a big Elephant Seal who looked dead as a doornail. Surprised we backed off then took photos. The beast did not even twitch once.
Then it was back on the Woodward Valley Trail up to Sky Camp. The first part of the trail is open grass- great for views but the sun baked us so we were thankful to reach the lush timber. We strolled into Sky Camp, looking at campsites, realizing that our #10 was the worst one. We then decided to go back to the group site and set up under a huge tree. Other than a leaning picnic table, it was a nice site with shade. Then we just relaxed and discussed various trips we had done and our gear (mine was light, hers was UL). A few people trickled into the camp as dusk neared, but the camp was hardly half full. When I filled up with water I spotted a creature near the outhouse. Dogs are not allowed, but soon as it turned I realized it was a bobcat. Again we enjoyed sunset and retired to the tents at dark, which was a bit before 7PM. As far as Sky Camp is from the ocean I could still faintly hear the surf. Garmin watch said 17 miles, 3440 calories, 37,900 steps! We had a stiff uphill this day so it did feel a lot harder than yesterday.
We specifically stayed at Sky Camp instead of walking out to avoid having to drive back to Sacramento in more traffic and dark. IT was a quick 1.5 hour walk back to the parking lot at Bear Valley. We did a side trip to Mt Wittenberg- not much to see up there except a USGS marker. 5 miles so the watch says. The drive home was easy with little traffic. We did time this one right.
In summary, it was incredibly warm, the driest I have ever seen Point Reyes, but fun as usual. Very scenic even if very civilized, with picnic tables, outhouses, potable water, and garbage cans too! And the camp facilities were clean and well tended. Trails well maintained. A pretty good deal for $10 a night with our senior passes.
A friend an I decided to take advantage of the unusually nice February weather for a "shake down" hike in Point Reyes. This would be the first backpack together, testing out compatibility for future trips. We both had some equipment that we needed to decide to "keep or toss". You know, all that stuff in your backpack closet. There is only so much you actually need.
After a slow drive from Sacramento to Point Reyes (we managed to hit Sacramento and Bay Area traffic messes) we picked up our permit and left at 11:00 AM. We were only going to Wildcat Camp which only took a few hours. We had group site 2 only to discover that the number on the air photo in the office was not the same as the numbers on the campsites. So we decided, what the heck, we would just set up were we wanted among all the group sites. Although we were told that Wildcat was "full", upon asking group sites were said to be available. The permit system is obviously not working well at Point Reyes. Many reserved sites are no-shows and there seems to be no effort to confirm no-show reservations for resale to first-come users.
We took a while to settle into an empty site, choosing one that would get the earliest morning sunlight and least chance of out-house fumes. Low tide was 6:30 so we felt safe starting down to Almere Falls at 4PM. There were a few others at the falls. I have never seen the falls at such low flow (nor have I seen the vegetation so dry this time of year). Poppies were in bloom but few other wildflowers were in bloom. We walked back and then went north as far as we could, farther than I had ever done due to the low tide. Back at camp we cooked dinner and watched the sunset. Dew point suddenly hit and instantly everything was wet, driving us into our tents. Sounds unbelievable, but according to my Garmin watch we hiked 13.5 miles in all; 3300 calories, 30,100 steps!
Eleven hours in a tent was about all I could take. I could see well enough to get out 6:30 to cook breakfast. Amazingly, the wind picked up enough at night to dry all the dew: yeh! got to pack a dry tent. Now, my friend is "triple crown" plus (did PCT twice) as well as numerous many long thru-routes worldwide, so even though we were doing a relaxed trip, we delayed our start to avoid getting to the next camp too early. We watched four elk graze on the nearby hillside. Sun struck our site, we drank coffee, chatted, leaving at 9AM. We took the Coast Trail to Coast Camp, getting there in time for lunch and a stroll both north an south down that beach. We nearly ran into a big Elephant Seal who looked dead as a doornail. Surprised we backed off then took photos. The beast did not even twitch once.
Then it was back on the Woodward Valley Trail up to Sky Camp. The first part of the trail is open grass- great for views but the sun baked us so we were thankful to reach the lush timber. We strolled into Sky Camp, looking at campsites, realizing that our #10 was the worst one. We then decided to go back to the group site and set up under a huge tree. Other than a leaning picnic table, it was a nice site with shade. Then we just relaxed and discussed various trips we had done and our gear (mine was light, hers was UL). A few people trickled into the camp as dusk neared, but the camp was hardly half full. When I filled up with water I spotted a creature near the outhouse. Dogs are not allowed, but soon as it turned I realized it was a bobcat. Again we enjoyed sunset and retired to the tents at dark, which was a bit before 7PM. As far as Sky Camp is from the ocean I could still faintly hear the surf. Garmin watch said 17 miles, 3440 calories, 37,900 steps! We had a stiff uphill this day so it did feel a lot harder than yesterday.
We specifically stayed at Sky Camp instead of walking out to avoid having to drive back to Sacramento in more traffic and dark. IT was a quick 1.5 hour walk back to the parking lot at Bear Valley. We did a side trip to Mt Wittenberg- not much to see up there except a USGS marker. 5 miles so the watch says. The drive home was easy with little traffic. We did time this one right.
In summary, it was incredibly warm, the driest I have ever seen Point Reyes, but fun as usual. Very scenic even if very civilized, with picnic tables, outhouses, potable water, and garbage cans too! And the camp facilities were clean and well tended. Trails well maintained. A pretty good deal for $10 a night with our senior passes.