Chimney Rock – Point Reyes
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location:Chimney Rock Trail, Inverness, CA 94937
Starting Point: Chimney Rock Trailhead, follow Sir Francis Drake Blvd., which runs through much of Marin and Point Reyes, until you reach the junction with Chimney Rock Road. Turn left and follow through to Chimney Rock Trailhead parking.
Info links:
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser.
Chimney Rock info link (National Park Service):
https://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/chimney_rock.htm
Point Reyes Historic Lifeboat Station info link (National Park Service):
https://www.nps.gov/pore/learn/historyculture/stories_maritime_lifeboatstation.htm
Directions to Chimney Rock Trailhead from Bear Valley Visitor Center (National Park Service):
https://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/directions_inpark_sfdb.htm#CP_JUMP_149215
Point Reyesmap link (National Park Service):
https://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/maps.htm
Distance:
The Chimney Rock Trail is an out-and-back trail, 1.75 miles round trip.
Considerations:
• A big feature of seeing Chimney Rock is the drive to get there. See the info link above for details on the drive. Heads up to make sure you have enough gasoline (gas stations far from this location) and food (no food outlets here).
• Heed all hazardous cliff warning signs.
• The weather at Point Reyes is very changeable. Bring layers, considering the changing temperature, wind, and precipitation.
• Bring a filled water bottle. Potable water is not easily found in this part of Point Reyes.
• Bathroom facilities are available at the parking area.
• Cell phone reception is spotty or nonexistent at this location.
• Busy season for whale watching and viewing elephant seals means lots of cars on a very limited road space from late December to mid-April. Check info link above about shuttle service from Drakes Beach.
The trail:
The Chimney Rock Trail is less than two miles round trip, and does not have any extreme rises or falls.
There is a slight rise from the parking lot, leading past a view of the historic lifeboat station to the left.
The trail goes out to the tip of Chimney Rock. There are dramatic views of rock formations below and the expansive Pacific straight out from the trail.
On the return walk, there are great views of the dramatic cliffs lining the edges of Drakes Bay.
Wildlife is a drawing factor for many, as well as wildflowers. We saw deer wandering during our walk in summer. Pelicans and other sea birds were in good view clustering on the rocks below the end of Chimney Rock. Elephant seals and whales are another attraction, leading to the winter/spring busy season (see above).
The scenic Historic Lifeboat Station is visible from the trail, and is sometimes open to the public on weekends and holidays. Call the National Seashore at 415-464-5100 to check on open hours.
As is the case with any hike, particularly in popular areas of Marin County, parking is in shorter supply in the afternoons and on weekends and holidays. Weekdays are always a good bet if you have the option, but if not, arrive earlier rather than later when possible for weekend visits. Remember the shuttle requirement during busy season as noted above.
(Chimney Rock - Point Reyes Hike Notes originally paired with “Walking Ahead” Insights post.)
Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page. Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. See products with inspiring designs that support the efforts of HikingAutism under Support/Shop. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links.
Check the Home page for the broader background story. If you’re not able to take one of these Northern California hikes, hopefully you can enjoy the photo galleries at the bottom of each hike page! Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location:Chimney Rock Trail, Inverness, CA 94937
Starting Point: Chimney Rock Trailhead, follow Sir Francis Drake Blvd., which runs through much of Marin and Point Reyes, until you reach the junction with Chimney Rock Road. Turn left and follow through to Chimney Rock Trailhead parking.
Info links:
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser.
Chimney Rock info link (National Park Service):
https://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/chimney_rock.htm
Point Reyes Historic Lifeboat Station info link (National Park Service):
https://www.nps.gov/pore/learn/historyculture/stories_maritime_lifeboatstation.htm
Directions to Chimney Rock Trailhead from Bear Valley Visitor Center (National Park Service):
https://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/directions_inpark_sfdb.htm#CP_JUMP_149215
Point Reyesmap link (National Park Service):
https://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/maps.htm
Distance:
The Chimney Rock Trail is an out-and-back trail, 1.75 miles round trip.
Considerations:
• A big feature of seeing Chimney Rock is the drive to get there. See the info link above for details on the drive. Heads up to make sure you have enough gasoline (gas stations far from this location) and food (no food outlets here).
• Heed all hazardous cliff warning signs.
• The weather at Point Reyes is very changeable. Bring layers, considering the changing temperature, wind, and precipitation.
• Bring a filled water bottle. Potable water is not easily found in this part of Point Reyes.
• Bathroom facilities are available at the parking area.
• Cell phone reception is spotty or nonexistent at this location.
• Busy season for whale watching and viewing elephant seals means lots of cars on a very limited road space from late December to mid-April. Check info link above about shuttle service from Drakes Beach.
The trail:
The Chimney Rock Trail is less than two miles round trip, and does not have any extreme rises or falls.
There is a slight rise from the parking lot, leading past a view of the historic lifeboat station to the left.
The trail goes out to the tip of Chimney Rock. There are dramatic views of rock formations below and the expansive Pacific straight out from the trail.
On the return walk, there are great views of the dramatic cliffs lining the edges of Drakes Bay.
Wildlife is a drawing factor for many, as well as wildflowers. We saw deer wandering during our walk in summer. Pelicans and other sea birds were in good view clustering on the rocks below the end of Chimney Rock. Elephant seals and whales are another attraction, leading to the winter/spring busy season (see above).
The scenic Historic Lifeboat Station is visible from the trail, and is sometimes open to the public on weekends and holidays. Call the National Seashore at 415-464-5100 to check on open hours.
As is the case with any hike, particularly in popular areas of Marin County, parking is in shorter supply in the afternoons and on weekends and holidays. Weekdays are always a good bet if you have the option, but if not, arrive earlier rather than later when possible for weekend visits. Remember the shuttle requirement during busy season as noted above.
(Chimney Rock - Point Reyes Hike Notes originally paired with “Walking Ahead” Insights post.)
Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page. Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. See products with inspiring designs that support the efforts of HikingAutism under Support/Shop. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links.
Check the Home page for the broader background story. If you’re not able to take one of these Northern California hikes, hopefully you can enjoy the photo galleries at the bottom of each hike page! Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777
