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Point Reyes National Seashore MAP MORE ACCESS INFO GETTING THERE
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Five Brooks TrailheadB - D; *** ; 1+ miles; Transit The West Marin Stagecoach
makes flag stops at this trailhead -- well, at the Highway 1 turnoff.,
down a 0.1 gravel access road. Since their website says that for ADA
passengers they will travel off their routes up to three quarters of
a mile, wheelchair users can get here by transit (or by paratransit:
to Hwy 1 at Five Brooks Road). It might even be possible to go one-way
by wheelchair from here to the Bear Valley Visitor Center, probably
via Ridge Trail and Glen Trail, and catch the bus home from there. But
on my visit I only went far enough to confirm Before that junction, within 0.1 mile of the trailhead, there's a picnic table next to the nameless pond, a lovely place for lunch. Since there's only the one table, and it's the only place to sit by this lake, it might be a mistake to depend on finding it available, at least on weekends. But when we were there, on a Tuesday morning, we saw no other hikers, and had no competition for our peaceful stop by the water. then we continued north on Stewart Trail, wandering up and down along the wooded hillside, enjoying racketing birds and the gradual emergence of the sun from the morning fog. But what we saw a lot of was horses, and what we We would have enjoyed sharing this lushly forested byway with the horses
just the same, but because of their large numbers, there was another
inconvenience--picking our way among their droppings. On this trip we did not explore Olema Trail south of Five Brooks trailhead. We know that at least part of it is narrower and less well graded, which at the least would make sharing it with horses more difficult. But it is probably more nearly level. And no doubt very beautiful, as Point Reyes always is. Last visit July 2009
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to Giacomini Wetland, Tomales Bay A-? MAP INFO It appears that at least one trail to view this major wetlands restoration project is ADA accessible, but I was disappointed to learn (January 2010) that the kayak staging area at the wetland is definitely not. If you know anything more please call or email... |
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Palomarin Trailhead D; **** ; 0.7+ mi This trailhead is at the south end of Point Reyes, reached from highway 101 via Stinson Beach and Bolinas, a long and winding drive. The dirt trail is very difficult due to deep ruts, rocks and erosion, and would probably be muddy in wet weather. It does offer lovely views of the rugged coastline, but the long drive combined with the difficult terrain makes it a poor choice unless you love the challenge. I don't know how much further you could get on this trail: if you try it, please let me know. Last visit Spring 2005 ******************************* Details: No dogs are permitted on Point Reyes trails (service dogs excepted). Good parking and accessible toilets are at all trailheads described here except Bull Point and Coast Trail. You can print out a trail map from the link provided, or pick one up at theVisitor Center, which is reached from Highway 101 via Sir Francis Drake Blvd to Olema, right, then immediately left on Bear Valley Rd. The West Marin Stagecoach shuttle stops at the Visitor Center, which is right by the Bear Valley trailhead, and also will make a flag stop, Tuesdays Thursdays and Saturdays only, at the Five Brooks trailhead. Parking at the Youth Hostel, for the Coast Trail, is along the little travelled road, and no toilet is provided as far as I know, except at Coast Camp, 2.9 miles' hike away. The toilet at Bull Point Trail is not accessible. Palomarin trailhead is reached via Highway 101. North of Stinson Beach, turn left toward Bolinas about 1.5 miles on Olema Bolinas Rd, then right on Mesa Rd, which turns into bone-rattling gravel washboard over several miles to the trailhead. |
Trail
index [
Even
when we at last got clear of them, out where a sea breeze cleared the
air--and the path had pretty much disappeared in the grass-- the uninteresting(for
Point Reyes) fields we were crossing made me wonder if it was worth
going all the way to the point. But when we got there, we enjoyed the
low bluff overlooking Drake's Estero, and the fact that we had the whole
area entirely to ourselves. 
It's a slightly rough, occasionally soft gravel service road (okay for
wet weather) that drops gently over grassy hillsides and among mixed
woods and brush, skirting a creek and climbing slightly to reach grassy
bluffs looking over the Pacific after about 1 mile. From there the trail
is nearly level for 1.5 miles, most of the way to Coast Camp.
.
that
the Rift Zone Trail and the Greenpicker Trail are not very accessible
(steep single track), while the Olema Valley and Stewart Trails are
usable, though going north from the parking area, the wide, well graded
gravel Stewart trail becomes rather steep within 0.2 mile, and Olema
Valley trail, going south (a left turn just past the pond) becomes narrow
and is probably muddy in wet weather.
discovered
was that many of them were not a bit happy to see us. Perhaps horses
at the Five Brooks stable don't see many bicycles or dogs, since neither
are permitted on these trails. We didn't take a poll, so I'm not sure
whether it was my friend's guide dog or my wheelchair that caused the
flared nostrils and nervously dancing hooves, but to minimize the equine
consternation we had to pull off the trail and stay still as each group
of riders passed us. Fortunately Stewart Trail is a fire road,wide enough
that even horses who needed extensive persuasion could eventually sidle
by, but it took time, and we had to turn back after only about a mile,
at the junction with Greenpicker Trail.
I
have done time as a stable hand, and mucked out many a stall -- and
enjoyed it, too! as only a horse lover can -- but that barnyard odor
is not what we come to Point Reyes to find.