This was done while he was on his famous piratical circumnavigation around the globe. It is believed that in 1597 he anchored his ship, the Golden Hinde, in the bay that now bears his name. The first European to arrive at Point Reyes was Sir Francis Drake. Numerous village sites still exist within the park boundaries. These Native Americans were quite prolific throughout northern California. Miwok Indians originally occupied the Point Reyes Peninsula. A pleasant California day spent watching gray whales from a grass bluff above a foaming sea is difficult to put out of mind. Whales are also visible off of the shore while they migrate north and south. A herd of elk on a ridgeline with the sea beyond is a most unusual sight. This part of the park is designated as an elk refuge. There are numerous herds of elk roaming the park, especially in the Tomales Point area. The two stars of the park are elk and whales. The varied habitats offer shelter to many species of birds, both permanent residents and migrants nearly 500 different avian species have been observed. The usual suspects-deer (including some exotics), coyotes, bobcats, raccoons, skunks, etc. Wildlife observation is one of the most unique opportunities available at Point Reyes. Horseback riding is also allowed and there are several trails outside the wilderness boundary that allow mountain bikes. The trails cover a wide range of difficulty, from levelly graded, wide paths to extremely steep routes perched precariously above the ocean. Over 170 miles of trail wind through the park, providing far-reaching vistas and intimate encounters with the dense forests, cliffs and beaches. Indeed, isolation is easily obtained in this seaside wilderness. While it is hardly “undiscovered”, the plethora of other attractions, both urban and natural, in addition to its relative isolation, have kept Point Reyes from being totally overrun by hordes of hikers. It is often surprising to people how much wild backcountry is located so close to San Francisco and other Bay Area urban centers. Point Reyes National Seashore is located on the California coast just north of San Francisco. The Pacific Ocean and Drake's Bay are separated by Point Reyes
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |