![]() ![]() When Santa Barbara Island became part of the Channel Islands National Monument in 1938, two parcels of land and right of entry were retained for by the government for lighthouse purposes. On July 27, 1928, the Bureau of Lighthouses authorized an automatic light on the northerly point of the island "for the protection of inter-island navigation in general and particularly for the protection of the Hawaiian Island and trans-Pacific traffic, which follows a course passing six miles to the northward of the island." In 1934, a second light tower went up on the south end of the island, on the westerly side, located 486 feet above the water and visible for twelve miles. However, it would take 75 years to get a navigational aid built on Santa Barbara Island. As early as 1853 government officers made note of the potential of Santa Barbara Island for lighthouse purposes. No major improvements were made to the island until the government built lighthouses. Interested in more hikes in Point Reyes National Seashore? Check out my guide: HIKE Point Reyes.After the Hyders left the island, several attempts to lease and build resorts were made, but none succeeded. ![]() For hikers who have just got to get to the beach, The Trailmaster recommends heading for Kelham Beach, accessible from Kelham Beach Trail, 0.8 mile north on Coast Trail. Keep an eye on the tides because you don’t want to get stranded on this beach.īe warned, though: Arch Rock, in the National Park Service view, is an overlook point with no beach access. Unpack your lunch and admire the sea stacks.Ĭareful hikers can reach the arch by following a sketchy, eroded path down to Coast Creek, and then scramble over rocks to the ocean. Near the ocean, the path crosses through coastal scrub and arrives at an open meadow on the precipitous bluffs above Arch Rock. Follow the signs to Arch Rock, past a second junction with Coast Trail. At the 3.2-mile mark, Bear Valley Trail narrows from road to footpath (from which bikes are banned), and heads for the coast in the shade of Douglas fir.įour miles along, the trail ends at a junction with Coast Trail. I was even more excited when I discovered that the same proprietors who brought Santa Barbara the most beloved and incredible seafood restaurant on the West Coast, Brophy Brothers, were taking over Arch Rock. Re-entering the forest, shady Bear Valley Trail continues another 1.5 mile to a junction with northbound Baldy Trail and southbound Glen Trail. I was SO thrilled (and not at all surprised) when I saw the change in ownership signs in the front of Arch Rocks window in Feb. It’s also, literally, the hike’s high point (about 360 feet above sea level). ![]() Bordered by Douglas fir, the meadow is a fine place for a picnic, as well as being a popular destination/turnaround point for many hikers. I was SO thrilled (and not at all surprised) when I saw the change in ownership signs in the front of Arch Rock's window in Feb. Well-named Divide Meadow divides Bear Valley Creek from Coast Creek. This strange drainage pattern is one more example of how the mighty San Andreas Fault can shape the land.Ī half-mile along, pass a junction with Meadow Trail and, after almost another mile of travel, arrive at Divide Meadow, 1.6 miles from the trailhead. Notice that the creek flows north, in the opposite direction of Coast Creek, which accompanies Bear Valley Trail from Divide Meadow to the sea. ![]() Your path is alongside Bear Valley Creek. Wittenberg.īeyond this junction, the trail enters a forest of Bishop pine and Douglas fir. Point Reyes – Bear Valley Hiking Map by (click to enlarge) THE HIKEīear Valley Trail leads through open meadow and, after 0.2 mile, passes a junction with Mt. ![]()
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