{"id":4370,"date":"2016-07-01T00:00:28","date_gmt":"2016-07-01T07:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thetrailmaster.com\/?p=4370"},"modified":"2022-11-14T10:06:27","modified_gmt":"2022-11-14T18:06:27","slug":"point-reyes-abbotts-lagoon-trail","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thetrailmaster.com\/trails\/point-reyes-abbotts-lagoon-trail\/","title":{"rendered":"Point Reyes: Abbotts Lagoon"},"content":{"rendered":"
Something about Abbotts Lagoon personifies the word melancholy. Maybe it\u2019s the lagoon itself, a large, moor-like environment that compares to some of those I\u2019ve visited by trail in Scotland. Then there are the lonely, wind-swept grasslands and the (perpetual, it seems) gray skies. It\u2019s the kind of place you photograph in black and white.<\/p>\n
While a bit on the somber side, the lagoon and lands beyond are by no means dreary and depressing; in fact, the landscape encourages reflection\u2014an inward journey to accompany a fine outer one. And spring is positively jubilant with abundant wildflowers, particularly California poppies, iris, and lots of lupine.<\/p>\n
On a weekday excursion, your thoughts may very well be your only companion on this rather lightly visited trail, which leads 1.6 miles to Point Reyes Beach. A low ridge hides Abbotts Lagoon from the sight of passing motorists on Pierce Point Road; this positioning seems to discourage drop-in visitation of the kind that occurs else-where along the coast of the national seashore.<\/p>\n
Gray-hued the lagoon may be, but it\u2019s anything but lifeless. Lots and lots of birds, both migratory and year-around residents congregate in an upper freshwater lagoon and a more brackish lower lagoon. Look for the western grebe and its pint-sized cousin, the pie-billed grebe, as well as lots of coots and terns.<\/p>\n
If you can arrange a ride or car shuttle, a one-way hike (4.5 miles) from Abbotts Lagoon along the beach north to the Kehoe Beach Trailhead on Pierce Point Road is a great way to go.<\/p>\n
From the hamlet of Olema, head north just 0.1 mile on Highway 1, then turn left on Bear Valley Road. Proceed 2.25 miles and fork left on Sir Francis Drake Highway. Drive 5.5 miles to Pierce Point Road, fork right and continue another 3.2 miles to the signed Abbotts Lagoon Trail and gravel parking lot on the left (west) side of the road.<\/p>\n