There is even a rope to help you rappel down to the beach. Since may people go down this trail, it may appear as if it is an official trail. The rangers do not maintain this trail, and as such, are not officially part of the trail system. If you wish to get to the beach at Alamere Falls, please be warned that it can be quite dangerous. The path or climb down is quite treacherous, and it’s quite steep with loose dirt and sand. From there you’ll see a lot of hikers make their way down to the beach. The trail will bring you to the top of the waterfall. The main attraction of this trail is, of course, the Alamere Falls Waterfall. Getting Down to The Beach (Not An Official Trail) There are also a few further options available for even longer hikes. You might even see horses galloping in this area, which is quite a sight! From Wildcat Beach, take the Coast Trail to return to the Palomarin trailhead in a loop. If you aren’t tired by now, you can continue hiking and connect to different trails. If you are looking for a shorter day out, this is the perfect endpoint for a quicker round trip. The crowds are more apparent when you get closer to the waterfall. Hikers commonly stop at this point to enjoy a picnic. If you are really lucky, you may see whales in the distance along the Pacific Coast. After a short distance, you’ll find yourself overlooking the top section of the falls. It’s a narrow, single-track path that can appear a bit overgrown, but it’s the right one to get you to the falls. Keep an eye out for the signpost on the left side of the trail pointing to the Falls you can easily miss it. Bass LakeĪfter the lakes, you’ll make it to the Coast Trail, which will head towards the ocean and Alamere Falls. Alternatively, if it’s a hot day, you can pack your swimwear and enjoy swimming in Bass Lake. You can take a moment to admire the nature here and be on the lookout for salamanders and frogs. After the first mile, the trail will take you through woodland patches and then climbs towards Pelican Lake. The Palomarin Trailhead starts at the parking lot. When you arrive at the actual Alamare Waterfall, you can walk past the top falls and cross over it, which will lead you down to the other falls. The trails are well marked, which is great considering that cellular signal is spotty at best. On a clear day, you can also see the Farallon Islands. The Alamere Falls Trail offers excellent views of the Pacific Ocean throughout the hike. Make sure you dress appropriately and pack plenty of water on a hot day. Because of the Falls’ coastal location, there is no shade on the hike. Starting from the parking lot, expect a minimum round trip distance of 8 miles. There are a few variations to the Alamere Falls hike that will vary in mileage. Start of the Alamere Falls Trail from the Palomarin Trailhead Alamere Falls Hiking Trail There are restroom facilities at the parking lot, so ensure you use them before heading off. You can park along Mesa Road, but it will add extra mileage to your overall hike. I’d recommend arriving very early (before 8:30 AM), especially in the summer and on the weekends, to ensure that you don’t miss out on a parking spot. Even though there is a lot of space, the parking capacity is still a problem due to the Alamere Falls’ popularity. Also note, the parking lot is an unmarked dirt lot. Parking is free at Alamere Falls however, it does fill up very quickly. Be careful driving as you near the parking lot since the road is an unpaved dirt road with huge potholes. The Palomarin Trailhead parking lot is at the north-western end of Mesa Road. Admission – Admission to this site is free, and parking is also complimentary.Īlamere Falls is 34 miles North of San Francisco, which is approximately a 90-minute drive.Park Hours – Open every day from 8 am until sunset.Dogs – No dogs are allowed on any of the trails.The elevation gain during the trail is 596 meters. There are additional extensions if you are feeling incredibly energetic or looking for a long day out. Hike Profile – From the Palomarin Trailhead, the hiking distance is about 13 miles (20 km) round trip to Alamere Falls, although there are shortcuts available.During the weekends and the summer, the parking lot fills up very quickly, so get here early, or you may be turned away. Parking – For this hike, I recommend parking at the most popular starting point, the Palomarin Trailhead parking lot.
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