Point Reyes Hiking, Bass Lake Swimming Hole and Alamere Falls

If your a Bay Area native or out of town passer through, the Point Reyes area is a adventurers playground. The Palomarin parking lot is a good starting point to explore Point Reyes Seashore. The last time I was there we arrived right as the sun was kissing the tree tops and we were greeted by a burst of fresh air. My main agenda was to check out the secluded Bass Lake swimming hole in Point Reyes National Seashore. It was a nice 2.5 mile or so hike to Bass Lake. We got there a little early so we decided to let it warm up a bit and we went to check out Alamere Falls. This was another mile round trip addition to the hike but well worth it. Check out the pictures.

After lunch on the beach we hiked back to Bass Lake and joined a couple other "natural swimmers" and joined them in the fresh waters of Bass Lake. The day ended with a much needed hour or so nap and then we hiked back to Palomarin Parking lot. If you are thinking about going, check out our highway 1 and 101 roadsidesecrets map. Also Tom Harrison has a nice topographical map that will assist you in planning a hike through Point Reyes.

Here is a picture of Bass Lake:

Head up highway 1 on the north side of the golden gate and take a left on Olema Bolinas Road and then take a right onto Mesa road and follow it all the way to Palomarin parking lot. It turns to dirt but keep going.

Dumbarton Bridge

DUMBARTON BRIDGE

If you are looking for something new to do in the Bay Area I recommend checking out the Dumbarton Bridge. Either side of the bridge can be accessible and there are really neat views of the Bay. This spot gives you a unique perspective on the actual size of the Dumbarton Bridge and the Bay it goes over. You can walk or ride your bike across the Bay from Palo Alto to Fremont. It is loud on and near the bridge because of the cars and big rigs. Also check out the old railroad bridge south going over the Bay.

This is the Dumbarton Bridge looking West at sunset. Sun sets in the West.

Here is the Dumbarton Earlier in the day looking East.

Getting There:

Take the Willow Road off-ramp from Hwy 101. Just before the bridge, an exit to the right leads to a parking lot along the side of the bridge and next to the salt ponds and marshes at Ravenswood Open Space Preserve. To reach the bridge trail from the East Bay, take Hwy 84 west from I-880. Exit at Thornton Avenue. Turn left at Marshlands Road. Park at the visitor center parking lot for the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge headquarters. Marshlands Road from here to the bridge may be closed to vehicle traffic during the summer to protect the snowy plover, but will be open to foot and bicycle traffic. Just before the road reaches the Dumbarton Pier, a ramp leads up to the bridge. Other Information: There is a $4.00 toll heading westbound.

External Links: http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/hwybrdg/tollbridge/History/Dumbarton.html