The second half of the hike prior to reaching the coast is covered and wooded.Īpproximately 3 miles into the hike you'll see signs for Bass Lake. For the first couple of miles, the trail is fairly exposed and can get warm on sunny days. From there, the trail continues on the Coast Trail and is pretty straight forward as you head to the falls. Don't be afraid to take a picture of the map if you're worried about getting lost or bring a copy of the map from the NPS website (it's never a bad idea to have a paper reference). After about 2 minutes on the trail, you'll see a map on your right that lays out the trail to the falls as well as a few campground (Sky, Wildcat, etc.). Start at the Palomarin Trailhead located in the parking lot near the restrooms and head out on the Coast Trail. Please note, dogs and drones are NOT permitted on this. The trailhead is located in Bolinas, California just about an hour north of San Francisco over the Golden Gate Bridge. The hike to Alamere falls is a 13.5 mile out-and-back trail through the Point Reyes National Seashore. The parking area can get very crowded, especially on weekends, so best to get there before 8am (and on a weekday) if possible. The trail is open year-round unless closed due to special restrictions (see nps.gov). If you hike to falls during the summer, take a swim in Bass Lake on the way back to the trailhead. Enjoy stunning views of the pacific combined with varying terrain through forests, tall brush, and exposed dirt trails. This is extremely unique because there are only 34 tide falls in the world and two in California, the other being McWay Falls in Big Sur. It is known as a tide fall because it empties directly into the Pacific Ocean. This trail will take you to a 40’ waterfall (tidefall) on the coast of Point Reyes National Seashore.Īlamere Falls is the tallest waterfall in the bay area. With careful planning, it is possible to travel from the falls back to the Palomarin Trailhead parking area on the beach at low tide, but don't be caught out! Most sensible folks opt to retrace their steps back to Coast Trail - South and head back to the Palomarin Trailhead.Head out to Alamere Falls via Palomarin Trailhead located near Bolinas, California. Also involved is a somewhat harrowing leap across the stream below the second falls! Rangers do not recommend this direct approach due to the danger to the eroding cliffs (instead, from Wildcat Camp, walk south on the beach to Alamere Falls). To get to the beach and see both parts of the falls takes some scrambling through ruts and over rock benches.
When the tide comes up, the falls actually hit the ocean water rushing in. The waterfall drops over a bluff and forms two sets of falls which can grow to 25' across after it rains. A popular viewpoint and lunch spot is just next to the falls on an open, wide part of the cliff. The narrow trail to the top of the falls is somewhat overgrown with scrub (and possibly poison oak) in places. Take this is short, less than 1/2 mile Alamere Falls access trail down to the cliffs where the 50 ft falls land on the beach. Next up is the grand finale: Alamere Falls. The Pacific Ocean peeks out between two hills (called Double Point) that form a "V." Hard to describe, easy to enjoy! A spur trail goes from here to the craggy overlook of Double Point, a favorite place for whale watching in March. Just after the junction with Crystal Lake Trail, the descent starts with a spectacular vision of Pelican Lake perched high on a bluff. Off-peak times are more relaxing, with ducks and other waterbirds paddling about. Popular with picnic-ers, anglers, and swimmers- it can feel very crowded on summer weekends. To visit the lake, keep going until you reach the Bass Lake Connector, about 100 yards after you first glimpse the lake.
After a moderate climb, the trail passes a handful of seasonal ponds and approaches the northern edge of beautiful Bass Lake. The wide doubletrack trail starts out nearly level, crossing small creeks and offering views of the ocean. The Coast Trail - South begins from the Palomarin Trailhead and parking area in a eucalyptus grove.
0 kommentar(er)
