PT. REYES: BEAR VALLEY, OLD PINE, SKY & HORSE LOOP
Hike Date: Saturday, November 16, 2024
Leader: Gary Weiss
Leader Email: gary@sfhiking.com
Leader Phone: 415 279-5570
Meeting Location: Whole Foods; 2001 Market St. @ Dolores (on the Dolores St. side); parking on the street or below.
Please only show up at Whole Foods if you've arranged to meet your ride or driver there.
Meeting Times: 8:45 AM from SF, departing shortly afterwards; 8:50 from Rockridge BART, bottom of escalator.
Rating: Level 3.5
Mileage: 9 miles
Elevation Gain: 1475'
Description: Point Reyes National Seashore is uniquely beautiful, even among our diverse Bay Area parks. The entire peninsula, as it's on the west side of the San Andreas Fault always has a mysteriously different feel from even nearby areas on the other side of the fault. The route we'll be taking goes through dense, misty forests and a ridge between the valley and the coast. At least 3/4 of the hike will be shaded. We'll begin walking south on Bear Valley Road for a couple of miles. We'll then take Old Pine Trail until it meets Sky. Sky Trail hugs the ridge before splitting off onto the Mt. Wittenberg Trail. We'll remain below Wittenberg's peak on Z-Ranch Trail before beginning our descent on Horse Trail. This is not an uncommon set of trails, but it's doubtful that we'll run into more than a few people. While scouting this route a few months ago, I remember feeling a million miles from anywhere. Unfortunately dogs are not permitted in the National Seashore.
Bring / Wear: Please bring plenty of water, lunch, snacks, sturdy hiking shoes, layers(!) and hiking poles if you use them (steep downhill at the end). And chocolate!
Weather Policy: Check with hikeleader in the event of questionable weather.
Trailhead Meeting Place: We'll meet at Bear Valley Visitor Center, near the information signs to the left of the building as you face it. Take the Sir Francis Drake Blvd/San Anselmo exit from Hwy 101. Stay on SF Drake all the way to Olema/Hwy 1. Turn right (north). Shortly you'll see a sign for Point Reyes to turn left. Take this left. Shortly you'll see a sign to turn left for Bear Valley Visitor Center. Park anywhere. Google Maps Link
Trailhead Meeting Time: 10:00 AM
Trailhead Departure Time: 10:15 AM
Total driving distance, there and back: 75 miles from SF; 85 from Rockridge.
Passenger Carpool Fees from SF: $12 From Rockridge BART: $13
(I will inform you of carpooling arrangements by late Thursday or early Friday.)
Level-1
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Level-2
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Level-3 |
Level-4 |
Level-5 |
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easiest
< 5 miles
< 500' gain
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moderately easy
5-7 miles
< 1000' gain |
moderate
7-9 miles
< 1500' gain
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strenuous
9-12 miles
< 2000' gain
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very strenuous
12-15+ miles
>2000' gain |
