Several ponds, as well as Bass Lake, a popular swimming destination and Pelican Lake, offer scenic stops along the trail. It's about a mile along the beach, so check the tides before you go. From Wildcat Camp, back track along the beach to the falls. The directions to the waterfall are simple: from the Palomarin trailhead, follow the Coast Trail to Ocean Lake Loop Trail to Wildcat Camp. If you're short on time, not far from the Palomarin Trailhead is the Palomarin Beach Trail, a short 1.4 mile out-and-back hike to the rocky shore and tide pools. It's got everything - ocean views, forests, lakes, beaches, and of course, a waterfall. The falls, located within the Phillip Burton Wilderness on the south end of Wildcat Beach are 30+ feet high with several drops. The Coast Trail from Palomarin to Wildcat Camp and on to Alamere Falls is one of the most beautiful hikes in the Point Reyes National Seashore. Alamere Falls is a rare tidefall, a coastal waterfall that flows directly into the ocean. It's an exceptionally crowded destination, particularly on weekends. If you google "bay area waterfall hikes", it's one of the first search results. The main destination for visitors on this trail is Alamere Falls. Plant list from Palomarin trailhead to Bass Lake by the Marin chapter of the California Native Plant Societyĭates visited: 3/25/17, 3/31/17, 4/9/17, 12/29/17, 6/25/19, 12/11/20įavorite plants on this trail: California PoppyĪnywhere along the trail overlooking the ocean Kid friendly? No, due to the long distance. Parking: small parking lot full by 10am on weekends They don't want you around.Terrain: coastal scrub, dirt trails overlooking the ocean, forests, lakes, ponds Unfortunately for tourists, Marin county residents are all rich and don't need tourist money. They should build a safer way to climb down, but the Bolinas locals are opposed to anything that will make it easier for tourists to enjoy anything in this area. I would rate the final 50 feet as not safe for anyone but the fittest. The main trail along the coast is wide and easy with great scenery, but then the turnoff trail to the falls itself is extremely narrow and then when you get to the falls the final climb down to the beach is treacherous. Once you get to the trail parking lot, you'll be amazed at the number of people who do manage to find this place. Otherwise you will drive right past the turnoff and keep heading north. So either get a map and count your steps to the turnoff or use a gps. It's been stolen so many times, the state no longer bothers putting back a new sign. Phew! what a fright.įirstly, it's easy to miss the road to this trail because the sign right at the split from Highway 1 into Bolinas keeps getting stolen by the snooty anti-tourists locals. The thought of a newspaper caption "Helicopter rescued an idiot on the side of a cliff." was too embarrassing, it gave me a sudden surge I needed to climb up fearlessly & leaving loose rocks flying down behind me. I attempted this 3/4 of the way, glad I didn't climb down the last quarter. The second set of rocky slope will take you to the beach to see the fourth waterfall that flow from the cliff to the sea. If the rocks crumble, look for another spot to grip. Check out the rocks by gripping and toggling it first, before you rely on it for holding you up. Going down the rocks are difficult and slippery, going up the rocks are worse. The first set of rocks you climb down takes you to two waterfalls and a third waterfall that flow to the cliff. To get to the waterfalls (four in all) you have to climb down a boatload of loose rocks. And not so rare, a pair of dolphins frolicking in the ocean also sea lions, hawks, pelicans, other sea birds. Lucky for me, on this fine sunny day in September, I sighted a rare buck-naked guy. The view on the trail is beautiful, you have a jungle of tall trees, ferns, lake, and the Pacific ocean. Wear long sleeves and long pants for obvious reason. Once you get passed the stinging nettles, poison oaks, spider webs etc, you'll be on top of the falls. This path might look sketchy but you will have to go in this narrow jungle looking pathway to the falls. At the last 0.4 miles on your left, keep your eyes peeled for a small sign "Alamere Falls" on your left you'll see a narrow path. Take the ocean loop NOT the Wildcat Camp. GPS it to Palomarin Trailhead where you park your car and start the hike 9 miles roundtrip.
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