Inverness, California
Hike the Tomales Point Trail, Pt. Reyes National Seashore
9.5 Miles Total - 1300 ft gain - Out-and-Back Trail
Originally added by Jake Young
Tomales Point is a moderate day hike with incredible seaside views, ending at the northern tip of Pt. Reyes. Along the trail, you'll have great opportunities to see tule elk.
This hike will take you through the Tule Elk Preserve in Point Reyes Nation Seashore, and offers fantastic views of Bodega and Tomales Bay, as well as the Pacific Ocean.
Start at the Tomales Point Trailhead near the Historic Pierce Point Ranch. Follow the trail for roughly three miles. This trail is very well maintained and you are almost guaranteed to see tule elk along the way.
After reaching Lower Pierce Point Ranch, the trail is not maintained and can be overgrown with bush lupine or other shrubs. From here, it is about 1.7 miles to the point. The trail should still be relatively easy to follow, but if you find yourself off-trail, just keep walking towards the end of the peninsula. The end of the peninsula, Tomales Bluff, is a great place to have a picnic.
There are many sensitive elk habitats along the way, so it is always a good idea to stay on trail. Throughout the hike, it is not uncommon to see many different types of wildlife, so make sure to leave no trace in their natural environment.
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Reviews
Overall rating:
Stunning Views And Wildlife, Though Prepare For Hiking In Sand For Longer Than You Want To
Long (nearly 10 mi round trip) but relatively easy hike along costal cliffs and through an Elk Preserve. I wasn't prepared to hike for a mile or two in sand, which made for a relatively slow and annoying few hours, so if this isn't for you, turn back at the cypress grove. However, it's worth mentioning that Tomales Point is stunning. It does feel like the end of the world in the best way. There were many black cormorants hanging out and nesting, and the probably inaccessible hidden beaches were cool to behold. Plus, more Elk!
Incredible views!
This is an awesome hike. As a beginner and a large man (270lbs) I feel it may be more than just a "beginner" trail, although my son (also a large man) and I made the full distance. We were both whooped! We also felt very accomplished! It was well worth the effort! The views were absolutely incredible! Would recommend this to anyone with the note that there are seemingly long uphills and sand to deal with so.....Enjoy and take your time! The views are so worth it!
Great Hike
A really nice hike with plenty to see, don't forget to dress properly as it can be pretty windy. After the rain that we had everything is in bloom, flowers everywhere, lots of birds and the elks are curious but try not to approach them as they'll run away. Don't forget to bring your camera as there's a lot to take photos of.
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