About this Adventure
A 6-mile out-and-back day hike along the Tomales Point Trail in Point Reyes National Seashore - coastal bluffs, tule elk herds, and big Pacific views the whole way.
We'll meet at the Pierce Point Ranch trailhead at 10am sharp and aim to be back at the cars by mid-afternoon. The trail is moderate: rolling, mostly exposed, with around 600 ft of total gain. Plan for sun, wind, and a real chance of fog rolling in - layers are your friend.
Bring water, a packed lunch, sturdy shoes, and a sense of adventure. Dogs aren't allowed on this trail (it's an active wildlife preserve), so leave the pups at home this time.
Carpooling is strongly encouraged. Plan on roughly 1.5 hours of driving each way from the East Bay.
All experience levels welcome. The trail is straightforward but bring sun protection and let someone know your plan - cell service is spotty out on the point.
RSVP to see the full plan
We share the exact location, itinerary, packing list, and travel details with confirmed attendees only.
Accessibility
The Tomales Point Trail starts from a dirt parking lot at the end of Pierce Point Road with about 20 spaces. The first mile is fairly level and broad with hard-packed soil; the first three miles stay primarily on hard-packed soil; the final 1.7 miles are unmaintained, sandy, and often overgrown. Beyond Windy Gap the trail ascends along a ridge for about 1.25 miles, then descends steeply for about 0.75 miles, narrowing to roughly two to three feet wide in places. NPS does not designate the trail itself as accessible. Full out-and-back to the point is about 9.5 miles; shorter turnarounds at Windy Gap (about 2 miles roundtrip) or Lower Pierce Ranch (about 6 miles roundtrip).
There is no potable water at Tomales Point, so bring everything you need. The nearest restrooms are at the McClures Beach parking lot just down the road, open 6 am to midnight; that's also where the closest ADA-designated parking spaces (2) sit on a paved lot. Near the Tomales Point trailhead, a flat trail at the Pierce Ranch complex has ADA-compliant interpretive panel fonts and there is an accessible telephone in the lower parking lot. Dogs are not allowed past Pierce Point Road (service dogs excepted). Cell coverage is described as very minimal to nonexistent. Expect stiff winds, fog, and cool temperatures, and dress in layers.
Seasonal things to know: ticks are present and can carry Lyme disease, so NPS recommends long, light-colored pants tucked into socks, repellent, and tick checks during and after the hike. Stinging nettle and poison oak are on the park's main trail hazard list. The tule elk rut runs August through October, when bulls bugle and spar; NPS asks visitors to keep distance, stay on the trail, and never get between cows and calves or between competing bulls.
For specific access questions, call the Point Reyes National Seashore ranger line at 415-464-5100 - they're the authoritative source. Calls between 4:30 pm and 10 am may not be answered live.
Sources: nps.gov/thingstodo/hike-the-tomales-point-trail.htm nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/tomales_point.htm nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/hiking_trail_advisories.htm nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/safety.htm nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/wildlife_viewing_tuleelk.htm nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm
Disclaimer & Media Release
By attending this Wilderness Queers event, you accept full responsibility for your own safety and acknowledge that the organizers are not liable for any injury, loss, or damage that may occur during the activity.
Photos and videos may be taken and shared on social media. By participating, you consent to being included. Please inform the host if you prefer not to be photographed.
Your host
Carmen
Event organizer