May 13 - Tomales Point (Port Reyes)

Up before 5am this morning which is not too unexpected since I'm an hour behind my normal time. Laid in bed until 6 (sunrise) and then kicked it into gear and was out into the foggy/misty morning heading to Tomales Point trail. The trail is a little over 9 miles to the northern tip of the Point Reyes National Seashore (it's the upper tip). I'm only doing about 6 miles of the 9 miles trail because the last 1.7m is unmaintained. Hoping I can see the Tule elk despite the fog/mist.

It's a very windy and bumpy road. Viewing is hard because of the fog but I manage to find a herd of elk with babies before reaching the trail. Five babies and 2 moms; that's pretty impressive.

A bit farther down the road and just after an Elk Refuge sign, I'm greeted my a lone elk standing in the middle of the road. He's crossing to meet up with another herd also with babies. Amazing start!

I also see a bunny on the road at some point and tons of Quail!

I'm passing a wet area and spot a Blue Heron and a Egret.

Along the drive I pass Abbott's Lagoon (tomorrow's hike), Kehoe Beach and McClures Beach. The trailhead for McClures Beach is down from the Tomales Point trail.

Lots of Quail at the trail head. (And no cars! Yes, I'm the only one here!)

I gear up w/ rain gear and start up the trail thru fields of wonderful flowers.

A one point I'm excited to see the beach thru the fog.

I see 2 bunnies on the trail.

It opens up before the uphill section 

and just after is where I find the 1st herd of elk on the trail. Surprisingly I can't not see any babies.

Continuing on, I find another herd nearby. They are not afraid of me and I'm impressively close. Reminds me a bit of Antelope Island on its trails.

And still another a bit farther down the road.

I'm not sure they allow horses on the trail but if that's elk poop it's far different than in Salt Lake area. It's looks more like horse poop.

Love the Iris.

I'm also seeing a few Bluebirds.

Fog starts to lighten up and I can see Tomales Point ahead. There's a ship to the west and I can see mainland too. 

Start downhill to the pools. There are no elk here. And its my turnaround point as the next 1.7 miles is unmaintained. Wish they put some benches out here.

On the way back, I pass that 2nd herd, then the 1st and then one I didn't see before because they were uphill and pretty much unseeable from the other direction. This one has some bulls!

More cool flowers.


And then it's the long downhill and those elk are still there with a view this time!!

On the uphill climb, I see my first hikers of the day!

I continue on enjoying the views (yes views -- not perfectly clear blue sky view but views!!)

I see my second set of hikers as I approach the parking lot.

Hey, there's a gopher like yesterdays; it's a Botta Pocket Gopher!

When I arrive several other cars are arriving, it's a little after 10am.

But more surprising, it's there are 3 bull elk on the hill top over a building sweet!

Awesome hike!!

But time to head back to the hotel to clean up so I can have lunch in town. 

I see the Elk on the way back as well as 3 bunnies and a big brown hawk.

Eating at the Port Reyes Roadside for a breaded chicken sandwich and fries. Pretty good!

Onward for the second half of my day!

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