Rim of the Bay Treks: Mount Wittenberg

Point Reyes National Seashore
Point Reyes CA 94956
415/663-8522 Adminstration
415/663-1092 Reservations

Hike Length: 5 to 6 miles (depending on the trail).

Elevation: 1,407'
Elevation Gain: 1,300'

Maps:

USGS - 15 min Quadrangle "Point Reyes, CA"; 7.5 min Quad "Tomales Drakes Bay..."
AAA - "Bay and Mountain section"; Marin County
USNPS - "Point Reyes National Seashore" trail Map- available at Park Headquarters
Erickson and Associates - available at Bear Valley Visitor Center or 337 17th Street, Oakland CA 94612

Access:

West Bay:

North on Highway 101. Take Sir Francis Drake Exit. Follow Drake until it deadends into Highway 1 at Olema. Turn right onto Highway 1, then take first left onto Bear Valley Road. Park entrance is 1/2 mile on left. Follow signs for "Seashore Information."
East Bay:

Richmond-San Rafael Bridge (580) to Sir Francis Drake Highway (DO NOT GET ON HWY 101). Then same as above.

Camping:

Overnight backpacking campsites (4 camps) are available by reservation (recommended up to 2 months prior).

Trails:

There are several loop trails available. Start at the Bear Valley Visitors Center (The Park Service recommends Meadow Trail).; MEADOW TRAIL: Take the Bear Valley Trail 0.6 mile south and turn right up Meadows Trail. Meadow Trail joins Sky Trail at the junction to Sky Camp. Turn right on Sky Trail and at about 0.2 mile, you will be at the point where Sky Trail tops out coming from Bear Valley. A short trail leads to the summit, where you have a 360 degree view of the entire Point Reyes Peninsula. From the summit, you descend south to rejoin the Sky Trail. Here you can turn right to reach Sky Camp or left to take one of the trails back to Bear Valley or to the coast. At this point is is approximately 3.5 miles to Coast Camp.; SKY TRAIL: Take the Bear Valley Trail 0.2 miles south and turn right onto Sky Trail. Follow Sky Trail to the summit (Sky Trail is much steeper than Meadow Trail). Both Meadow and Sky Trails ascend under hazel, tan bark oaks, and Douglas fir. About halway up the mountain, you come to a near-level clearing where huckleberries can be found in the fall.; HORSE TRAIL: From the parking lot, head north 0.4 mile towards Miwok Village. The trail starts just before you get to the village. After 1.8 miles, you can choose a trail to Wittenberg or a little further, turn left on the Sky Trail to Sky Camp.