Just a little reminder of the wonderful things mother nature has in store for us this next few months....
I write in haste as I am planning to teach some friends how to snowboard at an INDOOR snowboarding facility in Sacramento! Included is some balance and core excercises for off season or off summit training. Rush Training Center, http://www.rush-tc.com/site/
Coming soon... Kayaking!!!
Here are some pointers for wildflower hikes and waterfall hikes
www.waterfallswest.com
www.trails.com
http://yosemitefun.com/yosemite_best_time_to_visit.htm
the best times to be in Yosemite
http://www.frogtown.org/
may 19-22 2011 Calaveras Jumping Frog Jubilee
wild flower hikes
http://www.wildflowerhikes.com/
http://www.everytrail.com/guide/bay-area-wildflower-hikes
http://www.weekendsherpa.com/newsletter/wildflower-hikes-bay-area-mount-tam-las-trampas-russian-ridge/201
http://www.7x7.com/travel-active/behold-wine-country-wildflowers
http://www.renyswildflowers.com/guide.html
note some other things to do such as
wine tasting
caving and ziplining at moaning caverns
http://www.caverntours.com/MoCavRt.htm
Rivers are starting to plunge (my river kayaking season is upon me) The lakes are filling up for kayak touring. Email me for push in the right direction...
Stand-up paddleboarding is now mainstream!
Mountain and Road Biking are now widespread!
My favorite little lake is Lake Amador for hiking, biking, kayaking, swimming, near Calaveras Big Trees National Park, don't forget about Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon Nationl Park
Roz is still looking for sponsorship and is actively fundraising at ...
www.RozSavage.com
Cheers!
11 February 2011
03 February 2011
Blubber Wars, Sausage Parties, Fishmash, Blowholes and Shark Bait...February and March
February and March on the Northern California Coast
Blubber Wars and Sausage Parties, Fishmash, Blowholes and Shark Bait…
The beaches and coves all along the Northern California coast all of a sudden come to life as the marine mammals begin their annual antics during mating and pupping season. Magnificent Gray Whales migrate north and have to circumvent the outermost point of the historic Point Reyes Light House, not coincidentally the best place to view whale migration from land.
But while you are there you may want to visit the dramatic increase of the Elephant Seal population on Limantour Beach. The old historic and by some accounts haunted (with good spirits) life boat station has now been renovated into a hostel. Ano Nuevo further south near Half Moon Bay is another wonderful destination spot. Learn about these magnificent creatures as they batter themselves in a fight for the harem. They can get to be the size of an SUV and watching two of them go chest to chest is more enticing than watching a crash derby.
Back up north at The Marine Mammal Center in the Marin Headlands just north of Sausalito, volunteers are grinding herring into fish-mash and tubing sick young elephant seals using a funnel and a silicon tube the diameter of your thumb to “milk” the fish mash into the esophagus of these unwilling to eat creatures. But first you have to separate and tackle them into submission using only planks, towels and your body weight. The medications go in the food. Well all except for the breathing treatments. Yes, seals get athsma and pneumonia oddly enough. It may be a stress related immune response. Never the less, dividing and coaxing one into a cage, covering up the holes and nebulizing albuterol and atrovent into the enclosure is a site to see.
But if you have a few hours a week to help volunteer, the true fun is teaching a baby harbor seal how to swim!!! First the preface. Mom harbor seal leaves baby on beach to hunt for food. Unsuspecting humans hear the quite litteral “MA, MA” guttural sounds from the baby, approach it or worse touch it, (they are not born with an immune system they get their immunity from mother’s milk) and now the mom will abandon the baby in fear for her own life. The TMMC will then watch and make sure that the baby is in fact abandoned, capture it and bring it back to a special quarantined unit. Baby harbor seals do not know how to swim. So a docent will submerge the baby in a tub, wait for a stress response and gently bring the baby to the surface. After about three to five times, the baby harbor seal quickly realizes that air is UP there! And tada, you have taught a harbor seal how to swim!
I recommend staying at one of the many hostels in the area. The Point Reyes Hostel is especially primed for groups and two hostels Point Montara near Pacifica and Pidgeon Point are renovated light houses!
Also while you are there... check out the giant redwoods in Muir Woods National Monument, Tidepools, see Drakes Bay Oyster Farm, and don't miss out on the beautiful small towns from Iverness to Fairfax, San Anselmo, Olema, Novato, Mount Tam, etc.
Bring your mountain bikes for the many trails there, or bring your road bikes for a tour in the wine country.
Elephant Seals
The Marine Mammal Center
Harbor Seals
http://www.marinemammalcenter.
California Sea Lion
Whale watching and whales
More to come!!!
Support my friend Roz, catch up with her on facebook (Roz Savage) or find www.RozSavage.com.
16 December 2010
Roz Running for Nat Geo People's Choice Adventurer of the year
The informaition that I have accumulated over the years, I have been happy to keep to myself. The sole reason to begin this blog was to promote two things that are important for me. Preserving the beautiful outdoors and promoting my fellow adventurer and dear friend Roz Savage. (She can scream louder than me).
I believe that if people do not enjoy natural beauty and be in awe of some of the spectacular things that happen on any given day outside, that it will become unimportant. Once set aside, the outdoors will perish to people who pollute, poach, encroach, landfill, drill, hunt and net in our name due to our lack of awareness of where it comes from and where it goes to. Something pretty short sighted for a "intelligent" culture.
She is currently making much headway in making the 2012 London Olympics Plastic Bag Free.
see www.messageinthewaves.com for more information about our plastic pollution.
Roz has an international acclaim and a pretty sweet record being the first solo woman to row across that Pacific Ocean. Please read the link below and vote for her.
I plan on keeping this blog filled with lots more information about enjoying the great, yet pivotal times that we live in, and hope that you will return the gesture by being aware that we collectively have a price and a carbon footprint.
Please vote for my friend Roz. It would make her message of inspiration and ecology so much easier to spread. It costs nothing and no information from you is needed. Thanks, Happy Holidays
http://adventure.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/adventurers-of-the-year/roz-savage-2010/
National Geographic encourages you to visit and vote daily.
I believe that if people do not enjoy natural beauty and be in awe of some of the spectacular things that happen on any given day outside, that it will become unimportant. Once set aside, the outdoors will perish to people who pollute, poach, encroach, landfill, drill, hunt and net in our name due to our lack of awareness of where it comes from and where it goes to. Something pretty short sighted for a "intelligent" culture.
She is currently making much headway in making the 2012 London Olympics Plastic Bag Free.
see www.messageinthewaves.com for more information about our plastic pollution.
Roz has an international acclaim and a pretty sweet record being the first solo woman to row across that Pacific Ocean. Please read the link below and vote for her.
I plan on keeping this blog filled with lots more information about enjoying the great, yet pivotal times that we live in, and hope that you will return the gesture by being aware that we collectively have a price and a carbon footprint.
Please vote for my friend Roz. It would make her message of inspiration and ecology so much easier to spread. It costs nothing and no information from you is needed. Thanks, Happy Holidays
http://adventure.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/adventurers-of-the-year/roz-savage-2010/
National Geographic encourages you to visit and vote daily.
16 November 2010
Heading Indoors...
Heading Indoors:
November and December are times when I start to plan for the year ahead. The days are shorter and I try to get up early, to get as much sunlight into my day as possible. By getting an ealy start, I can get back to home base and enjoy the evening properly. This allows a lot of room for error just in case my original plan does not go well. I plan ahead for an ealy nightfall (flashlight/spare batteries) and have plenty of things to do when it gets dark or I get stuck in a white-out(book/pen/survival equipment).
I like to calendar all my yearly to-do items such as cleaning out the gutters from fallen leaves and making photocopies of the cards in my wallet just in case I lose it or get it stolen. Quick errands that I have saved up all year to do, I do this time of the year. I accumulate a lot of gear and leave gear in people's car all the time... so I spend times in November/December/January not only returning gear or retaining gear, l but can often be caught enjoying a beverage or dinner with above similar minded gear-hound.
I also spend some time refreshing rescue skills such as knots and wilderness medicine techniques.
If at all possible, I time my recertifications this time of year, when I am more likely to be able to focus on bookwork.
Remember if you are heading outdoors, especially if for more than a day, let someone know when you are expected back and what kind of contingency plan you have... It allows the rescuers a lot of knowledge and they are more likely to find you if they know ... about where you are(leave a map in the car seat), are you ready to spend the night(rescues often start the next day) how prepared are you (spare batteries for radio or cell phone) (beacon/shovel/avalanche/orienteering skills)(overnight and warmth/food skills)(are you likely to look for a helicopter clearing and seek a signaling device). I like to ask myself, toward the end of any adventure "If I all of a sudden stopped having fun right now... can I survive the next 12 hours?"
Bears are more likely to forrage for hibernation this time of the year so be very careful in the back-country and mind your rubbish in the front-country. Other migratory things are happening so please be cognicent of what you tramp on.
The list below are some of my favorite things to do.
Trip planning: The year in review always lends ideas for trips and adventures ahead
I highly reccomend this free website for skiing and snowboarding:
gear overhaul (clean/label and review usefullness and proficiency)
winterizing you car (keep gas tank patially/mostly full during winter outings)
lights and signals
proper eyewear(snow) and
proper eyewear(snow) and
paperwork
Jump Sky High
Monster Mini Golf
Granite Arches/Pipeworks (indoor climbing)
Swimstitute (indoor pool/ indoor kayaking)
Jump Sky High
Monster Mini Golf
Granite Arches/Pipeworks (indoor climbing)
Swimstitute (indoor pool/ indoor kayaking)
Leadership and Ropes courses
Bounce towns
Indoor skydiving (Union City)
Bounce towns
Indoor skydiving (Union City)
Rollerskating
Volunteering at a community shelter (animals too)
Quick Outdoors:
Fish Hatchery
Ice Rinks
Aquatic Center (Boating/Biking)
Soil Born Farms
Skate Parks
Snow shoe trips
American River:
William B Pond
River Bend Park
Hagan Oaks
Ancil Hoffman
Fair Oaks
Folsom
City Water Intake Facility
Old Town
American River:
William B Pond
River Bend Park
Hagan Oaks
Ancil Hoffman
Fair Oaks
Folsom
City Water Intake Facility
Old Town
Museums
Ca State Rail Road
AeroSpace
Discovery Science/space
Crocker
Towe Auto
Sac Theater museum
B street theater
B street theater
Libraries
Drive in Movies! (bring camping mat, radio, flashlight and blankets:)
Dowtown and City Hikes and outings
Drive in Movies! (bring camping mat, radio, flashlight and blankets:)
Dowtown and City Hikes and outings
Festivals
Farmers Market
Online recipe searching (cooking/baking)
If you do not live in the greater Sacramento Area, a quick online search will produce similar activities in your neck of the woods.
Feel free to email me and help me add to next years list...
Have a wonderful season!
OutSideJay~
20 October 2010
California style one day road trip!
link to California Autumn Foliage
http://www.weather.com/outlook/driving/fallfoliage/regiondetail/ca1
link to Haley's Comet (Orionid Meteor Showers)
http://www.space.com/spacewatch/comet-halley-meteor-shower-101020.html
link to Northern California Hot Springs
http://www.trails.com/stateactivity.aspx?area=13828
put them all together...
High Sierra autumn foliage road trip followed by a Haley's comet meteor night hike or paddle with cheese cake and wine for dessert/ or how about vietnamese noodle soup (from a thermos) ...at a natural hot spring... hmmm ... you guessed it... right now in northern california!
cheers!
email me for specific locations...
outsidejay~
http://www.weather.com/outlook/driving/fallfoliage/regiondetail/ca1
link to Haley's Comet (Orionid Meteor Showers)
http://www.space.com/spacewatch/comet-halley-meteor-shower-101020.html
link to Northern California Hot Springs
http://www.trails.com/stateactivity.aspx?area=13828
put them all together...
High Sierra autumn foliage road trip followed by a Haley's comet meteor night hike or paddle with cheese cake and wine for dessert/ or how about vietnamese noodle soup (from a thermos) ...at a natural hot spring... hmmm ... you guessed it... right now in northern california!
cheers!
email me for specific locations...
outsidejay~
13 September 2010
Learning how to surf: a lifestyle, not an activity
Learning to surf:
The best time to surf is the November thru January time of the year
The best time to learn to surf is October and November
(warmer and good swells)
Learning in Bolinas: *The Best Place to Learn to Surf!*
www.2milesurf.com
Almost all of the west coast's beaches face due west. This creates a "beach" break. Waves pop up anywhere at any time. A few beaches face north or south Like Santa Cruz and Bolinas. Waves tend to hit the outer most point and "get in line" and "slow down". The opposite is a "fast break". In Bolinas there is an outer reef that adds to the protection and there is also an even rise of the shallow beach. The opposite is a "reef" break as in Pipeline and Mavericks when a sudden incline brings waves immediately onto the surface. A point break is less likely to cause "riptide". And a shallow rise is less likely to cause an "undertow"
The sandy "bottom" of Bolinas is much kinder on mammalian skin than that of Hawaii's coral "bottom" or Mavrick's rocky bottom.
There are two types of storms in CA. A southern storm comes from Hawaii and Tahiti. Nicknamed Pinapple Express their warmth packs a wallop of humidity and large drops. These guys bring in Humungous swells(research Mavericks). The Northerlys are arid and cold. Best to ski or snowboard on the "light and fluffie" that these guys bring in. Watch the weather and choose your ride!
Wind- An "offshore" wind is blowing out to sea and will "hold up" a wave making a better than average "curl". An "onshore" wind will knock down a wave also called being "blown-down" and is in your face when looking for the right "set". Winds travel in circles so traveling north or south on the beach will eventually get you to the place you want to be. (Picture the arms of a hurricane with backdrafts at the end of each arm)
Gusty wind is less fun than a smooth consistent wind but affects kite and wind surfers much more.
The "head" of a wave- the part of the wave that begins to fall onto itself
The "swell" is a wave that has not surfaced
The "shoulder(s)" is the part of the wave that begins to break to one or both sides of the "head".
right of way- the person closest to the head in a position to "catch" a wave
"dropping in"- taking the right of way away from someone (usually a friend)
"sharking" - taking the right of way from someone- to be a Jerk
The surfer's "line-up" usually found at a point break, the vague line of surfers waiting for a "set".(not to be confused with the waves "lining" up)
Waves come in clusters of six to eight mostly. This order forms a "set" of waves. Sitting out small sets is easy when you are "waiting for your set to come in".
Face- the smooth, rideable part of a wave
Falls- the front, top crashing part of a wave(goin over the falls- BAD)
Pearl- to almost die while discovering the "bottom" up close and personal like. (non-surfing term= drill bit)
Soup- the foam left after a wave crashes, hard to ride cos u are not bouyant in it
Bonk- when there is no swell or rideable wave. "surfs up" v "surf's bonk"
Book- something to bring when the surf is bonk. real surfers will change out and read in ...
Civi's or Peds... civilian clothing or pedestrian outfits. (use not as common as the above)
rip tides and under tows---the pathophys-
Waves are energy dissipation. In the river the wave stays still the water moves. In the ocean the waves move the water stays in place. A wave uses gravity and then friction (on the bottom) and then itself as a wave courses back to sea after the crash. Sometimes these outgoing streams "line-up" and create a rip tide. In Three D, with the"bottom", it can create an undertow.
Google how to avoid either prior to your first session especially if you are prone to "Freaking Out"- which is coming out of the soup without smoothing your hair back or worse coming up for air with your mouth first, blowing out audibly, and inhaling. Really cool surfers will float lazily to the top. Forehead, eyes, nose then have exhaled on the way up and inhale only when the chin exits the water. Just like on Baywatch.
Dude- any one who can surf or trick other surfers to think they can surf
Dudette-THIS IS NOT A SURF LINGO- someone from Texas brought it thinking he was a Dude and he was NOT. He was "sketch".
Yes surfers use wax. A very good and funny wax is Mr Zog's Sex wax. Yes you can chew it as gum but chiklets are better. Hockey players, kayakers, drummers also use sex wax. "best for your stick" was banned in many parts of US giving rise to it's popularity.
First rule of surfing- If you snooze you lose
Second rule- (albeit losing ground on this one)- best to be happy than right or "let it go, dude"
Third rule- if it'll matter in a hundred years than it outta matter now. refer to rule two for the reverse. or "better hold on"
Bohdi- someone who can practice all three rules at the same time: Timing, enthusiasm and discipline.
Surfing is a lifestyle, not an activity!
Most Excellent Resources:
www.surfing-waves.com
www.bask.org/surfing/
www.maverickssurf.com
Two Mile Surf Shop
www.2milesurf.com
The best time to surf is the November thru January time of the year
The best time to learn to surf is October and November
(warmer and good swells)
Learning in Bolinas: *The Best Place to Learn to Surf!*
www.2milesurf.com
Almost all of the west coast's beaches face due west. This creates a "beach" break. Waves pop up anywhere at any time. A few beaches face north or south Like Santa Cruz and Bolinas. Waves tend to hit the outer most point and "get in line" and "slow down". The opposite is a "fast break". In Bolinas there is an outer reef that adds to the protection and there is also an even rise of the shallow beach. The opposite is a "reef" break as in Pipeline and Mavericks when a sudden incline brings waves immediately onto the surface. A point break is less likely to cause "riptide". And a shallow rise is less likely to cause an "undertow"
The sandy "bottom" of Bolinas is much kinder on mammalian skin than that of Hawaii's coral "bottom" or Mavrick's rocky bottom.
There are two types of storms in CA. A southern storm comes from Hawaii and Tahiti. Nicknamed Pinapple Express their warmth packs a wallop of humidity and large drops. These guys bring in Humungous swells(research Mavericks). The Northerlys are arid and cold. Best to ski or snowboard on the "light and fluffie" that these guys bring in. Watch the weather and choose your ride!
Wind- An "offshore" wind is blowing out to sea and will "hold up" a wave making a better than average "curl". An "onshore" wind will knock down a wave also called being "blown-down" and is in your face when looking for the right "set". Winds travel in circles so traveling north or south on the beach will eventually get you to the place you want to be. (Picture the arms of a hurricane with backdrafts at the end of each arm)
Gusty wind is less fun than a smooth consistent wind but affects kite and wind surfers much more.
The "head" of a wave- the part of the wave that begins to fall onto itself
The "swell" is a wave that has not surfaced
The "shoulder(s)" is the part of the wave that begins to break to one or both sides of the "head".
right of way- the person closest to the head in a position to "catch" a wave
"dropping in"- taking the right of way away from someone (usually a friend)
"sharking" - taking the right of way from someone- to be a Jerk
The surfer's "line-up" usually found at a point break, the vague line of surfers waiting for a "set".(not to be confused with the waves "lining" up)
Waves come in clusters of six to eight mostly. This order forms a "set" of waves. Sitting out small sets is easy when you are "waiting for your set to come in".
Face- the smooth, rideable part of a wave
Falls- the front, top crashing part of a wave(goin over the falls- BAD)
Pearl- to almost die while discovering the "bottom" up close and personal like. (non-surfing term= drill bit)
Soup- the foam left after a wave crashes, hard to ride cos u are not bouyant in it
Bonk- when there is no swell or rideable wave. "surfs up" v "surf's bonk"
Book- something to bring when the surf is bonk. real surfers will change out and read in ...
Civi's or Peds... civilian clothing or pedestrian outfits. (use not as common as the above)
rip tides and under tows---the pathophys-
Waves are energy dissipation. In the river the wave stays still the water moves. In the ocean the waves move the water stays in place. A wave uses gravity and then friction (on the bottom) and then itself as a wave courses back to sea after the crash. Sometimes these outgoing streams "line-up" and create a rip tide. In Three D, with the"bottom", it can create an undertow.
Google how to avoid either prior to your first session especially if you are prone to "Freaking Out"- which is coming out of the soup without smoothing your hair back or worse coming up for air with your mouth first, blowing out audibly, and inhaling. Really cool surfers will float lazily to the top. Forehead, eyes, nose then have exhaled on the way up and inhale only when the chin exits the water. Just like on Baywatch.
Dude- any one who can surf or trick other surfers to think they can surf
Dudette-THIS IS NOT A SURF LINGO- someone from Texas brought it thinking he was a Dude and he was NOT. He was "sketch".
Yes surfers use wax. A very good and funny wax is Mr Zog's Sex wax. Yes you can chew it as gum but chiklets are better. Hockey players, kayakers, drummers also use sex wax. "best for your stick" was banned in many parts of US giving rise to it's popularity.
First rule of surfing- If you snooze you lose
Second rule- (albeit losing ground on this one)- best to be happy than right or "let it go, dude"
Third rule- if it'll matter in a hundred years than it outta matter now. refer to rule two for the reverse. or "better hold on"
Bohdi- someone who can practice all three rules at the same time: Timing, enthusiasm and discipline.
Surfing is a lifestyle, not an activity!
Most Excellent Resources:
www.surfing-waves.com
www.bask.org/surfing/
www.maverickssurf.com
Two Mile Surf Shop
www.2milesurf.com
22 August 2010
Locking horns and not so fun body piercings August through October
many years ago, after finishing a paddle across tomales bay, I hiked up the back side of pt reyes (legal then) and encountered two bulls tangled in each other's antlers... they darted around in circles and got close enough for me to look for a place to seek cover. Soothed by their distraction (and not aided by the knee high brush fortification) I got a chance to see one of nature's wonders by chance and fancy... year's later I get a chance to share that magic with you all....
Pt Reyes is about 2.5 hrs drive and many beautiful places to stay exist... from backpacking, car camping to koa's to hostels to bountiful bed and breakfast destinations. also see petaluma, sausalito, olema, bodega bay, san anselmo, fairfax, novato, kent, san rafael.
other attractions include birdwatching... Pt Reyes is home to 490 different species and boasts more than any other place on the continent. The light house (best for whale watching from land... see map to see how whales get "bottle-necked" close to the pt reyes light house. and the historic life boat station now a hostel.
Bo and I commando camped off our kayaks at Limantour, Coast Camp and Wild Cat Camp during our epic paddle around Marin County. Alamere falls is one of few waterfalls that dump into the sea... Do not miss seeing the rugged terrain and beautiful wildflowers when you drop by for a visit. Gas up in Petaluma and enjoy the rolling terrain and scenic landscape. September and October are by far the best months of the year to be on the coast.
http://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/wildlife_viewing_tuleelk.htm
The tule elk herds had virtually disappeared by 1860, 13 years before the state awarded them complete protection. In the spring of 1978, two bulls and eight cows were brought in from the San Luis Island Wildlife Refuge near Los Banos. The elk were contained within a temporary, three acre enclosure to allow for adjustment to their new surroundings. That summer, 6 of the cows bore calves. In the fall, 17 elk were released from the enclosure on Tomales Point to 1,050 hectares (2,600 acres) of open grassland and coastal scrub. By the summer of 1988, the population was at 93 animals. The population census taken in 2000 counted over 400 elk. In 2009, over 440 were counted at Tomales Point, making the the Point Reyes herds one of the largest populations in California.
The tule elk can be found in several locations within the park but the best chance of seeing them is in the Tule Elk Preserve at Tomales Point. They graze freely and are often seen near the road as you drive into the preserve.
Tule Elk Rut Season .
Tule Elk Docents and visitors viewing tule elk through spotting scopes at Windy Gap on Tomales Point
On weekends from July through September, park volunteers will be stationed at the Tomales Point Trailhead from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and at Windy Gap (1 mile north along the Tomales Point Trail) from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to interact with visitors curious about the tule elk. This is an exciting time of year on Tomales Point where visitors will likely hear bull elk bugling and see them attempting to round up harems of females. The lucky visitor may even get to see a couple of bull elk sparring. Spotting scopes and binoculars will be available for visitors to better view elk up close.
To help you enjoy your experience, please follow these elk watching tips:
•For your own safety, always observe elk from a distance. Use binoculars and spotting scopes. If an elk becomes alert or nervous and begins to move away, you are too close.
•If viewing from your car, pull off the road or park in designated areas.
•If you are on foot, stay on the trail; do not come between a cow and calf, a bull and a group of cows, or two bulls challenging each other.
•Watch quietly; whisper. Move slowly.
•Do not feed the elk. Feeding elk or any other wildlife is unhealthy for the animals, potentially dangerous for visitors, and strictly prohibited.
•Ride your bicycle only on designated trails. Within the Tomales Point Tule Elk Reserve, bicycles are only permitted on the Pierce Point Road. Bicycles are prohibited on the Tomales Point and McClures Beach trails.
•Pets are prohibited in most areas where elk may be seen, including the Tomales Point Tule Elk Reserve.
•Do not collect or remove elk antlers. They are an important source of calcium for many wildlife species such as rodents and deer.
Discover more about the tule elk by:
•watching our 10-minute video "Tule Elk: California's Legacy of Wildness,"
•watching the 6:29-minute "Science Behind the Scenery: Tule Elk" video,
•reading "Tule Elk - Return of a Species" (366 KB PDF file - Adobe® Acrobat Reader® required to view document), or
•checking out our Tule Elk webpage.
http://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/wildlife_viewing_tuleelk.htm
please be mindful when on hallowed ground... it is all hallowed ground (or water:)
outsidejay@gmail.com
Pt Reyes is about 2.5 hrs drive and many beautiful places to stay exist... from backpacking, car camping to koa's to hostels to bountiful bed and breakfast destinations. also see petaluma, sausalito, olema, bodega bay, san anselmo, fairfax, novato, kent, san rafael.
other attractions include birdwatching... Pt Reyes is home to 490 different species and boasts more than any other place on the continent. The light house (best for whale watching from land... see map to see how whales get "bottle-necked" close to the pt reyes light house. and the historic life boat station now a hostel.
Bo and I commando camped off our kayaks at Limantour, Coast Camp and Wild Cat Camp during our epic paddle around Marin County. Alamere falls is one of few waterfalls that dump into the sea... Do not miss seeing the rugged terrain and beautiful wildflowers when you drop by for a visit. Gas up in Petaluma and enjoy the rolling terrain and scenic landscape. September and October are by far the best months of the year to be on the coast.
http://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/wildlife_viewing_tuleelk.htm
The tule elk herds had virtually disappeared by 1860, 13 years before the state awarded them complete protection. In the spring of 1978, two bulls and eight cows were brought in from the San Luis Island Wildlife Refuge near Los Banos. The elk were contained within a temporary, three acre enclosure to allow for adjustment to their new surroundings. That summer, 6 of the cows bore calves. In the fall, 17 elk were released from the enclosure on Tomales Point to 1,050 hectares (2,600 acres) of open grassland and coastal scrub. By the summer of 1988, the population was at 93 animals. The population census taken in 2000 counted over 400 elk. In 2009, over 440 were counted at Tomales Point, making the the Point Reyes herds one of the largest populations in California.
The tule elk can be found in several locations within the park but the best chance of seeing them is in the Tule Elk Preserve at Tomales Point. They graze freely and are often seen near the road as you drive into the preserve.
Tule Elk Rut Season .
Tule Elk Docents and visitors viewing tule elk through spotting scopes at Windy Gap on Tomales Point
On weekends from July through September, park volunteers will be stationed at the Tomales Point Trailhead from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and at Windy Gap (1 mile north along the Tomales Point Trail) from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to interact with visitors curious about the tule elk. This is an exciting time of year on Tomales Point where visitors will likely hear bull elk bugling and see them attempting to round up harems of females. The lucky visitor may even get to see a couple of bull elk sparring. Spotting scopes and binoculars will be available for visitors to better view elk up close.
To help you enjoy your experience, please follow these elk watching tips:
•For your own safety, always observe elk from a distance. Use binoculars and spotting scopes. If an elk becomes alert or nervous and begins to move away, you are too close.
•If viewing from your car, pull off the road or park in designated areas.
•If you are on foot, stay on the trail; do not come between a cow and calf, a bull and a group of cows, or two bulls challenging each other.
•Watch quietly; whisper. Move slowly.
•Do not feed the elk. Feeding elk or any other wildlife is unhealthy for the animals, potentially dangerous for visitors, and strictly prohibited.
•Ride your bicycle only on designated trails. Within the Tomales Point Tule Elk Reserve, bicycles are only permitted on the Pierce Point Road. Bicycles are prohibited on the Tomales Point and McClures Beach trails.
•Pets are prohibited in most areas where elk may be seen, including the Tomales Point Tule Elk Reserve.
•Do not collect or remove elk antlers. They are an important source of calcium for many wildlife species such as rodents and deer.
Discover more about the tule elk by:
•watching our 10-minute video "Tule Elk: California's Legacy of Wildness,"
•watching the 6:29-minute "Science Behind the Scenery: Tule Elk" video,
•reading "Tule Elk - Return of a Species" (366 KB PDF file - Adobe® Acrobat Reader® required to view document), or
•checking out our Tule Elk webpage.
http://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/wildlife_viewing_tuleelk.htm
please be mindful when on hallowed ground... it is all hallowed ground (or water:)
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