Point Reyes hiking: Tule elk and amazing views at Tomales Point

Tule elk at Point Reyes — by Joe Reifer
Sunday we hiked the Tomales Point trail in Point Reyes [map] and saw about 90 tule elk. All I can say is wow. If you live in the Bay Area, this hike is highly recommended. Point Reyes: The Complete Guide to the National Seashore & Surrounding Area has lots of great information about hiking in the big beautiful wilds of West Marin. The Bay Area Hiker site has a good description of the hike. Here are a few additional tips:
- Go early. The fog came in around 1pm, and so did the crowds (although it wasn’t terribly crowded). We started the hike a little after 10am and finished around 3pm. Going an hour earlier would have been helpful.
- Bring layers and wear pants. When the fog rolls in you don’t want to freeze. The last mile out to Tomales Point is a narrow trail with a lot of brush at ankle/shin level. Don’t let the last mile of this overgrown trail deter you from going all the way out to the end – the views are incredible, even if it’s foggy.

Cliffs near Tomales Point — by Joe Reifer
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Scott Haefner:
This is a great hike. I’ve done it twice…both times I hiked out to catch sunset on the point, then hiked back under the full moon.
17 August 2009, 9:34 pmjoe:
Hey Scott – Sounds like a cool place to be under the moon as long as it’s clear out there!
18 August 2009, 8:00 am