81. Pelican Lake and Wildcat Beach

Length:	11.4 miles round trip
Hiking time:	6 hours
High point:	700 feet
Total elevation gain:	1,100 feet
Difficulty:	moderate
Season:	year-round
Water:	bring your own
Maps:	USGS 7.5' Double Point
Information:	Point Reyes National Seashore

This varied journey leads past three ponds and four freshwater lakes to attractive, secluded Wildcat Beach. On the way you'll admire continuous vistas of the Pacific Ocean and its rugged shoreline. If you prefer a backpack trip, register for Wildcat Camp at Bear Valley Visitor Center (for directions, see Hike 80, Bear Valley, Arch Rock, and Kelham Beach).

From Highway 1 about 4.1 miles north of Stinson Beach and 8.6 miles south of Olema, turn west on an unsigned road (signed "Olema/Bolinas Road" farther on) that's just north of Bolinas Lagoon, where a Golden Gate National Recreation Area sign stands next to a big white house, both on the east side of the highway. After 1.8 miles on Olema/Bolinas Road, turn right on Mesa Road. Travel 3.5 miles, turn right where the pavement ends, then go 1.3 miles to the Palomarin trailhead.

The trail quickly reaches a tall eucalyptus forest and then stays mostly level for the first 1.1 miles as it offers views of the Pacific Ocean. Climb to a signed trail fork at 2.2 miles, then continue left on Coastal Trail. Spur trails lead to three freshwater ponds on the left.

A quarter mile past the third small pond, you'll spot swimmable Bass Lake. A westward view down on Pelican Lake arrives at 3.2 miles, enhanced by the Pacific Ocean appearing through a rock hillside archway just beyond. For the next 0.5 mile, you're treated to view after view of the lake's dark gray waters, inaccessible because of dense chaparral.

At 4.2 miles you'll reach a signed trail junction next to profuse coyote brush and orange sticky monkey flower. Make a mental note of the left-hand trail (the return loop), then continue straight on Coast Trail for the 1.3-mile stroll past Wildcat Lake to Wildcat Camp and Wildcat Beach.

Wildcat Camp, a huge field, is an excellent backpacking camp facility. There are several picnic tables and benches and a spring-fed water spigot plus easy access to pristine Wildcat Beach. (To gather more views of the ocean and beaches, continue along Coast Trail past Wildcat Camp to Arch Rock [see Hike 80, Bear Valley, Arch Rock, and Kelham Beach] for 3.5 miles along chaparral-covered bluffs.)

To return, double back to the north side of Wildcat Lake and take the lower loop trail past Ocean Lake. This slender footpath (0.2 mile from Wildcat Beach) quickly climbs to a series of perches offering inspiring oceanic vistas. Poppy and yarrow decorate the area, but thistles and poison oak occasionally intrude on the trail, so proceed cautiously. Gain an eastward view of Wildcat Lake, followed by a brief drop that takes you next to rush-lined Ocean Lake, then rejoin previously encountered trails for the final 4.2 miles to the trailhead.