Limantour Beach Hike with Judy Hall

Hike to beautiful Limantour Beach in Pt. Reyes using the newly reconfigured Muddy Hollow Trail. We’ll lunch on the beach, walk along the beach for a few miles and return on the newly configured Muddy Hollow Trail. Approximately 5 miles and 500-700 feet of climbing.

Weather at the beach can be windy and unpredictable, so be sure to wear layers and bring a windbreaker, ample water and sturdy boots. Long pants are recommended. Have rain gear in case of inclement weather (see below).

Participants should be in good physical condition.

We’ll carpool from the Fairfax Parkade (the median parking strip across from the Fairfax theater at Bolinas Road and Broadway Blvd.) at 10:30 am and return by 5 pm

Judy Hall runs her own “Adventure Hiking” series through Tam District Community Education and has led Sierra Club hikes for twenty years.

Limantour Beach: A long, narrow spit of sand, bound between Drakes Bay and an estuary, is a bountiful wildlife area. Scores of shorebirds feed in the wetlands and along the beaches during the fall. Ducks abound in winter at old, freshwater stock ponds created during the peninsula's ranching era. Harbor seals are often seen bobbing offshore in the gentle waves or basking in the sun's warmth.

This spacious beach is a wonderful spread to relax, take long walks, or simply enjoy a refreshing swim during the summer months. It is an oasis of soft sand, rolling dunes, wildlife and a picturesque backdrop that looks like something taken from a postcard. North of the beach there is a wonderful spot to view seals and sea lions called Limantour Spit. While this beach is exquisite and a wonderful place to spend the day, there is no regulation for nude sunbathing and on a warm summer’s day, there is likely to be one or two nude bathers on the beach.

The area around Muddy Hollow is not famous for wildflowers, but there is good wildlife viewing. You may see tule elk; some of the herd from Tomales Point have been relocated to this part of the seashore. Hawks are common and rabbits (and rabbit fur) may be glimpsed throughout the coastal scrub. Fox, coyote, bobcat, and even mountain lion also roam these lands. From Estero Trail in spring you can hear and see (with binoculars) harbor seals beached on Limantour Spit (these sea mammals are easily disturbed so never approach them). Berry enthusiasts hiking in late spring and early summer may find themselves in purple-stained finger heaven. Blackberry brambles sprawl across hillsides, thimbleberries hide in the shade on Estero Trail, and salmonberries, rare in the bay area, line Muddy Hollow Trail.

Climate: As with any of the beach areas on the Northern California coast, the weather is changeable and layered clothing is highly recommended. Obviously, the climate is cold to chilly during the winter months.

In case of rain or inclement weather, Judy will lead an alternate hike that is better suited to the weather. The group will still meet at 10:30 am at the Fairfax Parkade (the median parking strip across from the Fairfax theater at Bolinas Road and Broadway Blvd.). Bring rain gear.

For more information, please call Judy Hall: 415-457-8730.

In order for us to run our classes, we need to have a minimum of 4 people pre-paid and registered for the class. Please pre-register for classes. Also, please leave a valid email and phone # so we have two ways we can contact you in the case the class has to be canceled or rescheduled.

Register Now!