6. Sky Trail at Point Reyes National Seashore

Distance: 6.9 miles
Shaded: 80%
Elevation Change: 1300'
Hiking: 10
Difficulty: 7 Steep downhill.
When to Go: Excellent anytime, best from March to June.
This is the best and easiest hike to Inverness Ridge. It provides great views, forest vegetation, good berries and spring wildflowers. For the latest trail information, call the Bear Valley Visitor Center 415-464-5100.
This map looks best on a high-resolution monitor displaying 256 shades of grey. The map and hike description are excerpts from the book, Hiking Marin, 141 Great Hikes in Marin County, ©2006 by Don and Kay Martin.
 
This hike starts at Bear Valley in Point Reyes National Seashore.
 
Getting there from Hwy 101:
In Greenbrae, W on Sir Francis Drake to Olema. R on Hwy 1 for 200 yds. L on Bear Valley Rd. for 0.5 miles, L into park area.

0.0 Start at the Bear Valley trailhead at the south end of the parking area and head into the meadow. Most of the grasses are non-native, imported from Mediterranean countries to feed livestock.
1.0 About 300 yds. past the junction to the Meadow trail, just before starting uphill, there are two interesting plants growing along the left bank, trillium and wild ginger. Trillium has three symmetrical leaves and in late February and March, produces a beautiful flower with three white petals. Ginger has a dark-green, heart-shaped leaf, and from March to June produces deep-purple flowers that are hidden beneath the leaves.
1.6 Divide Meadow and junction #1. Take the Old Pine trail right, which provides the easiest climb to the crest of Inverness Ridge. Although called "Old Pine Trail", the trail passes through a magnificent Douglas fir forest.
2.5 Huckleberry lane. Winter rains and summer fog create a luxurious understory, dominated by tall huckleberry shrubs. The small black, edible berries are ripe for picking in August and September.
3.5 Junction #2 with the Sky trail. Head right, to the north.
3.8 Junction with the Woodward Valley trail. In spring, this verdant meadow, edged with firs offers a peaceful rest stop and picnic area.
4.5 Two junctions #3. The trail leaves the forest here; continue right on the Mt. Wittenberg trail.
4.9 Junction #4 with the Z Ranch trail. If the weather is clear, head uphill to Mt. Wittenberg for, what used to be, dramatic views. Now, Douglas fir trees are covering the hilltop. Good wildflowers in May.
5.1 Mt. Wittenberg, at 1407'. Often, you will see deer grazing the hillside to the south. Fifty years ago, the entire hilltop was grass. Now, Douglas fir trees are moving in.
5.3 Junction #4. Take the Mt. Wittenberg trail left downhill.
6.9 Back at the Bear Valley trailhead. Water and restrooms.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this web site is only a general guide. We do not accept liability or legal responsibility for trail conditions, trail information, errors or omissions.

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