A Little Magic Every Day: Pt Reyes National Seashore -- HOT and SUNNY!

Yes--it sounds like an oxymoron: hot and sunny in the same title as Pt Reyes National Seashore. But perhaps it was a chance to experience backpacking without frost on the tent at night!

After we got "spanked" by a cold front at Sequoia National Park, we returned to true Indian Summer weather in the Bay Area. Alan obtained a backpacking permit for us at Pt Reyes and off we set -- determined to make the most of our final days of summer.

Although the signage says "wilderness" this backpacking trip was unique -- sites were pre-assigned and came complete with water, picnic table, trash pickup, and toilets! Very civilized backpacking!

We planned a 3 night trip: out to Wildcat Beach; back inland to Glen Camp; and then finally up along the ridge to Sky Camp.

We have hiked many of the trails in Pt Reyes so we were struck by the variety and beauty all around us as we hiked. Within a mile or so of the pounding Pacific surf we were deep into ancient forests complete with ferns, moss, lakes, and sparkling streams.

We began by going up the Bear Valley trail to the Great Divide Meadow for lunch.

You be the judge: Along the trail, Alan and I practice our best "Bryan 2 Thumbs UP" poses.

All day we had beautiful views of the rocky cliffs and pounding surf. The trail eventually switchbacked down to the coast and we camped in scrub within a few hundred yards of a bluff overlooking the ocean. We watched the sunset and were lulled to sleep by the surf.

This is Alamere Falls from the beach.

Day 2 we headed south along the coastal lakes trail stopping eventually at Bass Lake for lunch and a swim. It sure was refreshing after hiking in that blazing sun!

Day 3: After a night at Glen Camp (pretty unattractive dry, open camp) we were back on the trails--lush green foliage and occasional creeks.

We took a dogleg back to the coast to have a snack at Arch Rock and then found Sky Trail. Maybe the name says it all: up to the sky and eventually Sky Camp.

Alan and I were amazed at the clear views (some haze on the horizon) and absolutely NO WIND. We got to Sky Camp in the early afternoon with plans to read in the shade. HA.

Our assigned site had not one speck of shade so we "camped" in a lush site for awhile. But the cool shade was also inviting to every bug and critter with 2 wings within a few miles. We took a quick rinse in the fresh spring that feds the horse trough. Actually it was very refreshing.

There we were. Sweating and waiting for the sun to go down, so we could pitch our tent, eat our mung bean dinner, go to sleep, wake up, eat granola breakfasts, and hike out. The words popped out of my mouth: Hey, let's skip ahead, have breakfast now and hike out. It is only 3 miles or so (and downhill miles hardly count!). We can be in the shower and out for dinner in San Rafael by 7:30pm. I believe Alan was headed down the trail before the words were out of my mouth!

And so we were walking out just 2 hours after we had walked in to Sky Camp. We spotted this bobcat by the trail. He watched us and we watched him but eventually he headed into the trees.