At Tennessee Valley thirteen hikers met,
Went down to the sea and then just went back.
Bare toes they buried in soft sand that was black.
Just three of our number went up to a bunker,
While the rest just laid back on their butts and looked upper.
Our season of hiking has come to an end,
But soon in September will start up once again.
Have a great summer!
P.S. Our Hikers Help Rescue Injured Sea Lion
While walking near the edge of the beach, we noticed a sea lion lying in the wet sand at the water's edge. it appeared to be dead, but actually it was just injured from a deep gash on its rear flipper. When the waves would begin to touch it, it would painfully lift itself up and inch forward a bit, and then flop down in exhaustion. A woman on the beach called Animal Rescue, but after a very long time, no rescue truck had appeared, and most of our group headed back up the trail to our cars, except Krystyna, Susan A., and Norma.
When the rescue truck arrived, Krystyna, Susan and Norma volunteered to help with the rescue. So the three of them, plus four other women (the rescue driver, and three women sitting on the beach) were able to corral the frightened and barking sea lion, throw a net over it, scoot it into the cage, and haul the cage back across the beach to the rescue truck.
Showing posts with label beach. Show all posts
Showing posts with label beach. Show all posts
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Alamere Falls Adventure
On Sunday, April 25, 14 eager Benicia Day Hikers arrived at the Palomarin
Trail Head of Point Reyes National Seashore at around 10:15 a.m. Shortly
thereafter we headed out on the lovely Coastal Trail. This trail follows
the coastline at first along the top of cliffs that drop precipitously to the
rocks and crashing waves below. We enjoyed near perfect weather and blue skies. The abundant rainfall this spring encouraged a luxurious growth of wildflowers as we hiked up and down passing several fresh water lakes along the way. The rainfall also guaranteed that the waterfalls of Alamere Falls would be the best ever and they were indeed. Our cameras were snapping away.
The final hike down to the beach is always a series of challenges. The first challenge was snaking our way down a narrow un maintained trail through poison oak thickets clearly marked, "dangerous, pass at your own risk". And of course, pass we all did, and arrived at the top of an ugly looking eroded gully that provides access to a little bit of "heaven on earth".
The cascading waterfalls were surrounded by lush wildflower displays. The descent in the ugly gully brings one to a level area still about 50 feet above the sandy beach. Next comes the most challenging bit -- a rock scramble down a rather nasty ravine of crumbling rock. Not everyone did the scramble; but those who did were rewarded with the most beautiful sight of a waterfall crashing straight to the black sands of the beach. We enjoyed lunch on the beach and most of us took off our shoes and socks and allowed the sand and water to massage our feet and clean between our toes.
Trail Head of Point Reyes National Seashore at around 10:15 a.m. Shortly
thereafter we headed out on the lovely Coastal Trail. This trail follows
the coastline at first along the top of cliffs that drop precipitously to the
rocks and crashing waves below. We enjoyed near perfect weather and blue skies. The abundant rainfall this spring encouraged a luxurious growth of wildflowers as we hiked up and down passing several fresh water lakes along the way. The rainfall also guaranteed that the waterfalls of Alamere Falls would be the best ever and they were indeed. Our cameras were snapping away.
The final hike down to the beach is always a series of challenges. The first challenge was snaking our way down a narrow un maintained trail through poison oak thickets clearly marked, "dangerous, pass at your own risk". And of course, pass we all did, and arrived at the top of an ugly looking eroded gully that provides access to a little bit of "heaven on earth".
The cascading waterfalls were surrounded by lush wildflower displays. The descent in the ugly gully brings one to a level area still about 50 feet above the sandy beach. Next comes the most challenging bit -- a rock scramble down a rather nasty ravine of crumbling rock. Not everyone did the scramble; but those who did were rewarded with the most beautiful sight of a waterfall crashing straight to the black sands of the beach. We enjoyed lunch on the beach and most of us took off our shoes and socks and allowed the sand and water to massage our feet and clean between our toes.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Spectacular Alamere Falls hike
On Saturday, May 9, 12 hikers turned out for our spectacular hike to Alamere Falls at Point Reyes National Seashore. It was a perfect day with blue skies and light winds and a perfect hike -- well, almost. One car missed the turn from US Route 1 to the Bolinas Road. This happens all too often because the local "yokels" remove the signpost thinking it may deter visitors from coming through their neighborhood. It doesn't work; it just slows us down a bit. To shorten a long story, the missing hikers showed up on the beach only about 20 minutes behind the main group.
(Enjoy the photos. Click on photo for larger view.)
As always the waterfalls, wildflowers and wildlife were incredible. A flock of pelicans coasted about 10 feet above our heads shortly after we stopped on the beach near the main waterfall. The only bad part about this hike is that it is so hard to leave this beautiful paradise.
If you want to do this hike on your own, drive exactly 4.5 miles past Stinson's Beach (stopsign) and turn left on the road to Bolinas. Turn right on Mesa Road and go to the end to the trailhead.
(Enjoy the photos. Click on photo for larger view.)
As always the waterfalls, wildflowers and wildlife were incredible. A flock of pelicans coasted about 10 feet above our heads shortly after we stopped on the beach near the main waterfall. The only bad part about this hike is that it is so hard to leave this beautiful paradise.
If you want to do this hike on your own, drive exactly 4.5 miles past Stinson's Beach (stopsign) and turn left on the road to Bolinas. Turn right on Mesa Road and go to the end to the trailhead.
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