Farther along, a coyote darts out from behind a massive old fir, kreebles across the trail, pauses to consider me, then lopes up the trail. There are several other park-sanctioned trails to the falls, each with their own unique scenery and challenges. Check out some spectacular Pictures of Alamere Falls by TurnBull Photography. At the end of the trail, there are two steep cliff sides that require nimble feet and goat-like abilities to navigate. Hairy Woodpecker Take note: it is also the site of multiple search-and-rescue operations each year. From here, I could see how the path descended to Wildcat Beach, and I could even make out the white, misty ribbon of Alamere Falls to the south, which was heartening as I’d been unsure whether there would be any water flowing. Total distance: 6.3 miles. The hike to Alamere falls is ~8.4 mile out-and-back. I’m 43 and fairly active but this was still somewhat difficult for me. ❄️ Weather Underground —Wallace Stevens. Yellow-rumped Warbler Dark-eyed Junco Conclusion. The beach is mostly barren; though a few seastars that have been cast shoreward by the waves and decorate tideline. Point Reyes is generally cooler than inland areas like Mountain View and Sunnyvale. Notes of this trip ... Junction to Alamere Falls (multiply by 1.6 to obtain the distance) Approaching the falls: Approaching the falls: ... Back to California hikes The trail starts at Five Brooks Trailhead and is 15.8 miles round trip. Want to find an unforgettable waterfall in Northern California? Posted by 3 days ago. The falls remain all year, but are best after winter and spring rains. Its highest point is 9,000 feet, with the trailhead elevation at 8,800 feet. Bobcat (scat) Weather, Backpacker Radio Acorn Woodpecker It’s got one killer cliffside view after another and a classic climax: Alamere Falls, a 50-foot tumbler that launches off a cliff into the sand and sea. As I approach I lift my binoculars to watch a Black Phoebe fly-catching over one of the kelp tangles on the upper beach. After the first cliffside, you see Upper Alamere falls. Black-tailed Deer Yet when it attacks the firm and the strong, none can withstand it, because they have no way to change it. If you have read any of my other hikes, you know I solely hike for the view, the workout is a bonus but I need an end goal of beauty to really get me out there. H iking the Coast Trail from the Polomarin trailhead to Wildcamp Camp in Northern California is like hiking Highway 1. Posted by 3 days ago. This 8-mile, out and back hike has approximately 450 feet of elevation gain in the first 2 miles before dropping back down to the coast. Alamere Falls is one of California’s most beautiful waterfalls and one of the Bay Area’s most popular hiking trails. Mount Diablo Falls. 2. A spectacular sight like no other, Alamere Falls is the endpoint of a great 4.3-mile hike with sweeping mountain views through the Palomarin Trailhead just past Bolinas, covering other wonderful natural waterworks like the popular swimming hole of Bass Lake and the lush wildlife haven of Pelican Lake. Trust the Trail Podcast, “Polomarin Trailhead to Wildcat Camp (Coast Trail)”, Polomarin Trailhead to Wildcat Camp (Coast Trail), Trail Summaries Will Return In The Spring, Schneider Camp Trail to Showers Lake Trail Junction, Prospect Peak in Lassen Volcanic National Park, Couple falls to death with alcohol in system, Upper Bidwell Park: North Rim Trail to Middle Trail, Carson Emigrant National Recreation Trail, Situational Awareness is Essential While Hiking, Wildfire – An Investigation into the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire. Alamere Falls is accessible from three trailheads in Point Reyes National Seashore. It’s got one killer cliffside view after another and a classic climax: Alamere Falls, a 50-foot tumbler that launches off a cliff into the sand and sea. There’s access from several trailheads, so you have your pick of routes to the falls depending upon your needs and abilities, although most are moderate-to … The hike is approximately 9 miles round trip, with a few offshoots if you want to tack on some extra miles. Golden-crowned Sparrow Starting from the parking lot, expect a minimum round trip distance of 8 miles. Brown Pelican California Gull California Quail Virginia Rail Alamere Falls is for my beach lovers, there is nothing more beautiful than seeing a waterfall pour into the ocean. 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. After skirting the lake, a steep spur trail leads down to the foot of Alamere Falls (0.4 miles). The magnificent feature man calls simply Alamere Falls formed in a part of the world already well known for its many beautiful sites. Easy peasy. ☀️ Yahoo! The water cascades over a 30 feet tall cliff onto Wildcat Beach – or into the ocean at high tide. Bufflehead At Wildcat (Walk-in) Campground the Ocean Lake Loop cuts off to the south. The falls should be fully charged after the deluge. Before starting out on this journey, I read that the hike to Alamere Falls was just over 8 miles. Sorry about the shakiness. Glaucous-winged Gull Phoebes, pipits, and shorebirds commonly feed on the beach jumpers and kelp flies associated with decomposing kelp, but I’m surprised to see a warbler pop-up in my field of view. (18 miles RT). But when the 2.5 miles long beach exists it’s a pretty sight, as well, and you can walk from Wildcat Campground to Alamere Falls on the beach. Start Here; About Me. The Alamere Falls Vista via Coast Trail at Point Reyes National Seashore near Bolinas, California is a moderate 8.8-mile out-and-back hike that leads to a beautiful vista point above Alamere Falls. This is a long exposure taken by Paul — so gorgeous. Horned Grebe White-crowned Sparrow There are two places to start this hike, we chose the Palomarin Trailhead. The trail has suffered serious dam… Sign up today: Limantour Beach, and a complete hike of Point Reyes, Point Reyes: Drake’s Head via Estero Trail. Other hikers have gravitated to the falls this clarion day, and perhaps a dozen folks, are lounging on the beach, eating lunch and simply relaxing. Pygmy Nuthatch The Palomarin Trailhead is roughly 5 miles northwest of Bolinas, California. Some say there is a sign there, but I did not see one when I hiked by, but someone made an arrow marker on the ground (not permanent) marking the intersection. To get to Alamere Falls, park at the Palomarin trailhead in the southern end of the park. Part of the overgrowth was poison oak, but nonetheless that doesn’t deter people from hiking to the falls. It’s extraordinary with its views of the ocean on one side and forests on the other. Acknowledgements: Thanks to Bob Stewart for mushroom identification and to Steve Howell, Gene Hunn, Susan Kelly, and Peter Pyle for responses to my query about “warblers on the beach.”, Surf Scoter Juliana Chauncey A hike to Alamere Falls (Point Reyes, California) 24 May, 2007 by Adam R. Paul. —Wallace Stevens. I had covered much of distance on previous hikes, but retracing one’s steps is a necessary hurdle when covering all the trails. PALOMARIN TRAILHEAD Our hike to Alamere Falls in March 2016! Hiking to Alamere Falls, Palomarin Trail, Point Reyes, CA Hermit Thrush Naturalist and writer Jules Evens has lived near Point Reyes for over 30 years. Header illustrations by Jane Kim, InkDwell, Bay Nature Institute House Wren The Coast Trail from the Palomarin Trailhead near Bolinas offers pine forests, lakeside views, sweeping coastal panoramas, rushing creeks and ultimately, a safe route to Wildcat Beach and Alamere Falls. Bewick’s Wren 888-422-9628 The falls itself can actually be seen right from the parking area, but there is mile long loop around the area of the falls. Loma Alta. Bushtit Alamere Falls is for my beach lovers, there is nothing more beautiful than seeing a waterfall pour into the ocean. At the time I took this trail, the Alamere Falls cutoff was mostly overgrown and difficult to ascertain. It’s extraordinary with its views of the ocean on one side and forests on the other. Unfortunately the falls also happens to be an unusually hazardous hiking destination, and there isn’t any really safe way to reach them. If you’re crazy about the ocean, the beach, and waterfalls, Bolinas’s Coast Trail is bound to become one of your all-time favorite spring hikes. Easy peasy. Then, upon arriving in Point Reyes, a sign at the Palomarin trailhead informed me that the hike is actually 14 miles long.Wait, what? While no easy treka 13-mile (20 km) minimum round-trip hike is requiredthis spectacular spot is a popularand a sometimes overcrowdedvisitor draw. Western Scrub-Jay You will take the Coast Trail to Wildcat Camp, then hike south down the beach until you see the falls. Chestnut-backed Chickadee Sonoma Chipmunk This has also been a banner winter for Townsend’s and Hermit warblers, other birds of the boreal forest (though insect-eaters), and I wonder if the similar conditions influence each species.After cresting the ridge and descending the coastal slope, the ocean suddenly reveals itself through a cleft in the landscape, always a welcome and pacifying sight. 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