#22 Bear Valley to Arch Rock, Point Reyes

Walking up to Arch Rock

If you live in SF you know how great the weather has been lately. 70 in February? Yes, please. I am not taking this for granted, and for the record, winter here is much nicer and more temperate than in Tucson.

Because I currently set my own schedule, I have the luxury of taking a Monday to do a hike. I decided to do the Bear Valley Trail to Arch Rock at Point Reyes National Seashore, which is a very popular and crowded hike during the weekends.


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On this Monday, however, the trail wasn't too crowded. There were some runners and some people on horseback, and some people walking like me. The entire trip is 8.2 miles, but there's lots to enjoy on the trail without going all the way to Arch Rock, and I saw a few elderly people clearly enjoying the lovely forest, meadow, and creek.

I enjoyed how the shadows of the trees met the trail in a perpendicular fashion.

I would characterize the Bear Valley Trail as an olfactory delight. (This may be a nerdy way to describe it, but I know no one is reading this anyway!) Every breath was delicious and different. Sometimes I smelled something sweet, perhaps heralding spring. Other times I just inhaled the strong musky scent of the muddy earth and plant life. 

You will find a unique scent in the dark places where the pine needle carpet is so thick nothing else will grow.

I thought I could smell the ocean spray from Arch Rock, and a strong and strange molasses smell accosted me as I ascended to the tip. The view really does unfold dramatically.

view to the left

view to the right

The view straight ahead was all sun and sea, and I could barely look that way. I wanted to see a sea lion, but try as I might, I couldn't see one! I did make friends with this little bird. He wanted some food, but all I had was love.

looking back

the beach below

I read an account of another person who did this trail, and they saw deer fighting and an elephant seal! I may have not seen any megafauna, but I did have my bird friend. I also saw a lizard and butterflies, as well as the first spring flowers.

This was a lovely hike. I'm glad I got a chance to do it when it wasn't too crowded; I went about three miles without seeing another person. I could tell by the smiles of the people that I did pass that we could all agree we were extremely lucky to be here at Point Reyes on such a beautiful day.