Follow the footsteps of author and biologist Jules Evens as he hikes every inch of trail in Point Reyes National Seashore to celebrate the park turning 50 years old in 2012.
On an overcast day after spring rains, Jules Evens encounters the expected--a banana slug in a lush Douglas fir forest--and the unexpected--a shrew-mole--on a 4-mile hike along Inverness Ridge as part of his Point Reyes Walkabout.
Jules Evens clocks another 5 miles of his 154-mile adventure through Point Reyes, this time with Douglas irises and other wildflowers coming into bloom. Another great hike you can take at Point Reyes!
Jules Evens continues his quest to hike every trail at Point Reyes National Seashore. Here, he traces a route where he once encountered a mountain lion. This time, the wildlife is a bit tamer, but no less beautiful: red-legged frogs, native bees, wildflowers, and a coyote howl to finish it off.
Hike to the top of Point Reyes, and learn more local bird lore, as Jules Evens continues his quest to hike every trail at Point Reyes National Seashore in 2012.
Hike along with Jules Evens on the Olema Trail at Point Reyes, where he encounters a few mixed flocks of songbirds, some early spring wildflowers, and more.
Take a four-mile stroll with Jules Evens through a landscaped shaped by enormous geological forces -- and full of wildlife, native plants, and a more than a few puzzles.
As part of his Point Reyes Walkabout, Jules Evens covers 10 miles on the Estero Trail, spots a bobcat, and logs a record-early sighting of a common butterfly, possibly thanks to climate change.
Now that the winter rains have finally found us here along the central California coast, my attention focuses on finding weather windows for walks in the wild. During a gentle shower, or a just after a stormy squall, the forests and fields are freshened and it's a fine time to take to the trail.
The Bear Valley trail, heading southwest from Park Headquarters to the coast, is one of the emblematic walks, and the most traveled trail, on the Point Reyes Peninsula. Jules covers about 10 miles and encounters a bobcat, an alligator lizard, early-blooming milkmaids, and very late-blooming Indian paintbrush.
This New Year marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of Point Reyes National Seashore, yet another brilliant example of "America's Best Idea." To acknowledge and honor this milestone, I have set a personal goal to walk all of the 154 miles of designated trails within the Seashore during 2012, one step at a time.
Independent, nonprofit environmental journalism connecting people with nature in the San Francisco Bay Area.
