Tamales Point Hike

Whoops! We let another week slip by without making solid plans. Time for some improvisation!

We called our friend Ellie, to see if she would be down to head up to Point Reyes National Seashore. She hadn’t been there before so she was a definite yes. Our plan was to tackle the roughly ten mile round trip hike to Tamales Point and back.

Point Reyes is only 2 hours north of the south bay area and is often lacking in crowds. Even though it so close to the Bay many don’t even know it exists! While Theresa and I have been here several times, it is one of our favorite places to not-plan-a-day-trip. There are so many things to see and do! One could easily spend 3-4 days hiking and backpacking within the National Seashore.

Even the drive into Point Reyes is fabulous! Whether you decide to drive in from Petaluma or cross over to the coast early and take Highway 1 in you will be treated with rolling hills and wide open vistas.

Elevation Gain – Tamales Point and Back

I would rate the hike itself as easy. It contains mostly rolling hills with a small patch of sand crossing near the point. There is very little cover, so you will be exposed to the elements.

Below are a few items we recommend bringing and the trail stats:

What to bring:

• Good hiking shoes
• Water – there is no water once you leave the trailhead
• Sunscreen
• Appropriate outer layer
• Small first aid kit with moleskin for blisters
• Snacks
• Binoculars  (if you have them)

Total Distance: 9.8 miles

Time: 2-5 hours

The Tamales Point Trail head begins at Pierce Point Ranch. The entirety of the National Seashore was home to some of the most prized dairy operations in all of California. The ranch was established in 1858 and become one of the largest independently owner and operated ranch on the Point Reyes Peninsula. Pierce Point ranch was renowned for high quality butter and remains one of the most complete and unaltered ranches left on the Peninsula. The ranch is no longer in operation but can be toured with the aide of posted interpretive signs.

Pierce Point Ranch

Snaking off to the west off all the outbuildings the trail rolls along the hills providing great views. After about 3/4 of a mile the trail begins to turn East and drop into a small valley. This is where we usually see the most elk. However this time there no elk to be found! We hiked further and I was beginning to worry the elk had hidden away for the day.

Then we crested the next rise and fell in awe to our knees…

Stefan, King of the Elk, determining if we are worthy of passage.

ALL HAIL KING STEFAN OF THE TULE ELK.

There were elk everywhere. More than I had ever seen at Point Reyes before. Newborns were frolicking in the grass while the parents lazed in the sun.

Hide and Seek… I’m not Meek!

Just Chillin’

We spent who knows how long watching elk graze and play. I was quite fun to watch. Finally we started our way towards the point.

The trail ahead.

In the photo above you can see a small grouping of trees. We planned to stop under a very large white tree just off the trail but when we got there some schmuck had their hammock tied up taking up the whole tree! We shuffled into the trees a bit more and broke out our sandwiches.

After eating, we headed out and passed by the couple that had setup the hammock working on packing up. I walked right up to the guy grabbed his hand shook it and said “How have you been Sam!?” Theresa, Ellie, and Sam were very confused…

Turns out the guy in the hammock was a friend I had been co-workers with! He blinked the sleep away and couldn’t believe that we both happened to be in the same place. We exchanged some old stories, commented on the surreal nature of the ordeal and we headed over the rise towards the point.

Ellie doing her “we-did-it-happy-dance.”

Eventually we made it to the point! It was cool with a nice breeze and the ocean roared in the background.

Tamales Point!

There was only one thing left to do.

Oceanside Sausages… Nothing like it.

CELEBRATORY SAUSAGES!!!