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Abbot's Lagoon Trail C-E; ** ; 1.5 miles

I was pretty surprised to see this trail recommended in more than one guide as a good choice for wheelchair users--it's one of the more frustrating routes I've attempted, in that it becomes more difficult, and eventually impassable, before you get anywhere near what looks from the distance to be a lovely secluded inlet. Maybe it's been improved, but when I was there in 2004 narrowness, steepness and bad erosion stopped me within a half mile, and I could see soft sand further ahead that only a boardwalk could have made passable. Last visit spring 2005

Bear Valley Trail AG & B; **** ; 4 miles vSJ

The trailhead is about 300 feet from the Bear Valley visitor center. This is deservedly one of the most popular trails in the Bay Area. Its first mile is ADA accessible, on hard-packed gravel. In the next two miles the grades may be difficult for an unassisted manual-chair user, but should not be a problem for most power wheelchairs. Further on are more steep stretches where traction may be poor, bringing one within sight of the ocean. Unfortunately, at this point the trail, descending toward Arch Rock becomes dirt, and impassable due to deep ruts. We have also explored the trail toward Glen Camp, which was dirt (read: not for wet weather) steep and difficult (a C on my scale) but enjoyable. Last visit Fall 2002

Bull Pt TrailD; ** ; 1.5 miles

For good reason, this trail isn't marked on all the Park maps, but it's on your left about a mile before the Pt Reyes Beach North turnoff on Sir Francis Drake Hwy. You'll see an (inaccessible) privy by the parking area, the only amenity provided.

If you have a good power chair or a lot of muscle to apply, and if a very rough ride doesn't bother you, Bull Point is a good place to get away from the crowd. It can hardly be counted as a trail, starting as a meandering track marred by the stench of cattle pastured there, and puddles of their manure. Even when we at last got clear of them, out where a sea breeze cleared the air--and the path had pretty much disappeared in the grass-- the uninteresting (for Point Reyes) fields we were crossing made me wonder if it was worth going all the way to the point. But when we got there, we enjoyed the low bluff overlooking Drake's Estero, and the fact that we had the whole area entirely to ourselves.

It might be possible with sufficient assistance to get one's wheelchair down to the little strip of beach (at the right edge of the photo) and that would be very nice. Last visit spring 2005

 

 

Coast Trail (North end, from the Youth Hostel) B; **** ; 2.9 miles SJ

If you don't like crowds, and do want to go several miles, this is the best choice in Point Reyes. It's a slightly rough, occasionally soft gravel service road (okay for wet weather) that drops gently over grassy hillsides and among mixed woods and brush, skirting a creek and climbing slightly to reach grassy bluffs looking over the Pacific after about 1 mile. From there the trail is nearly level for 1.5 miles, most of the way to Coast Camp.
Obstacles are a disastrous 20 foot sandy stretch at the junction with Limantour Beach Trail a mile in. This fortunately can be avoided by a detour on rough grass [see photo] but assistance may be needed. Then, just before reaching Coast Camp, the trail dips steeply to cross a culverted stream, and here again assistance may be called for. Occasional soft spots, and overall elevation change, make this trail a real workout in a manual chair, and it should be mentioned that while the two unisex toilets at the campground are ADA compliant, the paths to them are decidedly not, being both steep and rough.

In June 2006 I towed a bicycle cart there, with cots and gear for an overnight campout, to celebrate the aforesaid accessible toilet.We were greeted by a wet wet ocean fog, which rolled back strangely in the middle of the night to let us see the stars, but returned to soak everything by morning. Nevertheless, and in spite of the dubious accessibility of our campsite, it was a great trip, replete with adorable wildlife like crowds of baby quail and dignified wildlife like phalanxes of brown pelicans. If you are planning to go there, please contact me for the useful trivia I don't have time to write out now. Last visit June 2006.

 

Estero Trail
B, C & D; **** ; 1+ miles

The first part of this dirt trail has poor surfacing and medium steep spots, but in dry weather it is a very pleasant half-mile or so down to a causeway crossing an arm of Drake's Estero. After that, the trail gets rough and rougher, as the photo shows, and in several trips, I've never gotten more than a mile and a half, but that first part is one of my favorite trails in Point Reyes, being less used than most. Last visit Fall 2002

Palomarin Trailhead
D; **** ; 0.7+ mi

This trailhead is at the south end of Point Reyes, reached from highway 101 via Stinson Beach and Bolinas, a long and winding drive. The dirt trail is very difficult due to deep ruts, rocks and erosion, and would probably be muddy in wet weather. It does offer lovely views of the rugged coastline, but the long drive combined with the difficult terrain makes it a poor choice unless you love the challenge. I don't know how much further you could get on this trail: if you try it, please let me know. Last visit Spring 2005

Details: No dogs are permitted on Point Reyes trails (service dogs excepted). Good parking and accessible toilets at all trailheads except Bull Point and Coast Trail.
For all trails except Palomarin, it makes sense to start by picking up a trail map at Point Reyes Visitor Center, which is reached from Highway 101 via Sir Francis Drake Blvd to Olema, right, then immediately left on Bear Valley Rd. The West Marin Stagecoach shuttle stops at the Visitor Center, which is right by the Bear Valley trailhead. Parking at the Youth Hostel, for the Coast Trail, is along the little travelled road, and no toilet is provided as far as I know, except at Coast Camp, 2.9 miles hike away. The toilet at Bull Point Trail is not accessible.

Palomarin trailhead is reached via Highway 101. North of Stinson Beach, turn left toward Bolinas about 1.5 miles on Olema Bolinas Rd, then right on Mesa Rd, which turns into bone-rattling gravel washboard over several miles to the trailhead.