Doin’s at Point Reyes National Seashore

I’ve always loved Point Reyes National Seashore, although my lucky dog brother and 100 Classic Hikes in Northern California co-author Marc Soares did all our hikes in and around Point Reyes and also in nearby Mount Tamalpais State Park.

Here’s the latest from the Point Reyes National Seashore “Park Wavelengths” biweekly e-mail (which you can subscribe to):

A bright full moon rising on Thursday, December 11 will obscure viewing of the Geminid Meteor showers next week December 12-18. For the Zuni of the southern states it is “Turning Moon,” time to prepare soil for the spring planting. The moon brings several morning high tides of 7+ feet during the week – a good time to check out the Giacomini Wetlands. The winter solstice on December 21st arrives to officially begin the winter season. The past few days a lovely alignment of the crescent moon, Venus and Jupiter have graced the evening sky.

The Tomales Point Elk Reserve is closed to hiking/public use today December 2 and Thursday, December 4. The elk made a break for it this weekend and fence repairs are being made!

Rangers at the Lighthouse are looking for the first south bound gray whales of the year. A few Northern Elephant Seals have been seen from the Chimney Rock Overlook, the main colony is growing and the first large bulls will typically turn up by mid-December. The very western ends of Drakes Beach and South Beach are closed as they are each year; the closures are not near the parking/public use areas.

The park welcomes everyone to the bi-annual Open House at Bear Valley Visitor Center on December 12 from 5:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m.; stop for a snack and to catch up on park projects.

The Habitat Restoration crew is looking for volunteers on Sunday, December 14th to help with a big final push to remove ice plant from the ancient dunes at the Lighthouse. Meet at 9:00 a.m. at the Bear Valley Visitor Center to help with the effort.

Winter is a great time to hike the trails and beaches at Point Reyes. Just go when the weather is sunny and you’ll be treated to far-reaching vistas over the Pacific Ocean and near views of birds and water wildlife.

What are your favorite hikes at Point Reyes National Seashore?

Like this post? Then please help me out and share it on Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, Facebook, and elsewhere -- and click that Google +1 button. And don't miss any Northern California Hiking Trails posts: subscribe by e-mail or subscribe by RSS.