Backpacking trip to Alamere Falls

Saturday - March 17 - Preparation Day

We made all the food for the trip. 

• 6 Breakfast Burritos
• 2 Individual Foil wrapped Dinners 
• 4 PBJ Sandwiches
• Froze a water bottle & an individual milk
• Filled the water bladder

Packed the bags. Then rearranged things and packed them again. 

Sunday - March 18 - Start 

Drove to the Point Reyes Visitor Center and Checked in. The ranger was very sweet and helpful. She provided us a map and told us which trail would be the most scenic, when the tide would be low so we could walk on the beach, and general information on the hike and the camping site. The visitor center also has a mini museum of stuffed animals (things you would see in the park) and other interesting information on the animals and their lives. We parked in lot closest to the Bear Valley Trailhead. 

Started the Hike. We started the hike around 10 am. The first 3.1 miles is an easy mostly flat walk. Once you get to the bridge that's when things start to get a bit harder. The next 2 miles are an uphill hike. The last mile and some is a hike down to the beach and into the Wildcat campground.  On a Sunday afternoon, we came across many people and horses. This one group of 11-13 year old boys cheered us on as we climbed the steepest part of the trail. They were coming down as we were going up.  

Lunch & Set up Camp. It was about 1 pm when we got to our spot (site 7 but I wish I had booked site 6 - right on the cliffs edge and overlooking the ocean). Our spot was the most secluded which was nice. We ate the sandwiches we had packed while we put together our tent, placed our food in the storage locker, and took a moment to take it all in. 

Took an easy stroll over to Alamere Falls - We walked from our camp spot along the beach to the falls, stopping to pick up shells and to point out little sand crabs. It was about a mile walk. We were sure to go at low tide so we had enough time to walk to the falls, hang out, and walk back. On our way back, we were facing the lighthouse and in the distance we saw a spray and a long grey body. We are not sure if it was a long dolphin or small whale but it was majestic. 

Warmed up dinner & watched the sun set. The sky was full of beautiful pinks and purples. We just purchased a camping stove from Amazon and I am so glad we did. We had dinner ready in about 2-3 minutes and hot chocolate in about 4 minutes. We sat eating, taking in the views, and listening to our audible book, The Good Daughter. 

Monday - March 19 - End

Breakfast & Pack Up - I warmed up pre-made breakfast burritos while K started packing up the tent, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads. 

Beach Frisbee - Once we ate and were all packed up, we made our way over to the beach to get in some morning frisbee. We explored a little of the opposite (right hand) side of the beach. 

Hike Out - We started the hike out around 11:45 and the first hour coming back up the cliff was definitely the hardest. Once we got to where the coast trail starts, its an easy descent back to the car. We passed a very beautiful stream near Glen camp and we stopped at the half way point to take a break and to have a snack. 

Late Lunch - We got out around 3 and stopped at Farm House for lunch. We got the grilled oysters with garlic butter and fish and chips. IT WAS SO GOOD - THE SEAFOOD WAS AMAZING!  

HOME - It was about an hour and a half drive home. We made it!