Estero-Glenbrook-Muddy Hollow Road Loop

Distance: 7.4 miles(12 km) roundtrip, moderate This loop hike passes through young woodlands, coastal scrub, and grassland within the Phillip Burton Wilderness . It offers views of Estero de Limantour and the possibility of seeing tule elk and other wildlife that call this area home. It is also a great hike for spring wildflowers . This area was burned by the 1995 Vision Fire , and Bishop pine trees have since started encroaching on what had previously been open grassland and coastal scrub. From the Muddy Hollow Trailhead , thisloop offers a similar experience and views regardless of whether one follows it clockwise or counter-clockwise.However, just west of the trailhead, the Muddy Hollow Road Trail intersects with Muddy Hollow Creek. No bridge exists at this crossing, so hikers may get their feet wet while attempting to crossthis ~8-foot-wide (2.4-meter-wide) creek, especiallywhen the water level is highin the winter and spring. You may want to check out this crossing before starting your hike to determine which direction you will go. If you attempt to cross the creek at the start of the hike and you do get your feet wet, you may not enjoy the hike as much as you hike for the next7.4 miles(12 km) with wet footwear. If you decide to cross the creek at the end of your hike, you won't havetoomuch furtherto walk before you can change out of your wet footwear at your vehicle. If you choose to hike the route clockwise, head south on the Muddy Hollow Trail for 0.3 miles (0.5 km) through a riparian (e.g., streamside) zone to the junction with Estero Trail. The Estero Trail heads west out of the valley floor through some coastal scrub and young Bishop pine woodlands up and over a 370-foot-high (112-meter-high) ridge before descending into another valley and crossing the Glenbrook Creek after 2.2 miles (3.5 km). There may be standing water on the trail in the Glenbrook Creek area during winter and spring. Just beyond the Glenbrook Creek is the site of the New Albion Ranch, which is significant as the first dairy on Point Reyes,perhaps in Marin County.All that remains of the ranch, however, are eucalyptus trees that were planted to protect the ranch from the wind. Continue south 0.4 miles (0.6 km) toward the estero (which is Spanish for estuary) and Drakes Bay before making a sharp bend to the north. The trail runs fairly straight along a low ridge crest before intersecting with the Glenbrook Trail in 1.1 miles (1.7 km). The forested ridge in the distance to the north is the northern end of Inverness Ridge, which reaches heights of 1282 feet (388 meters) at Mount Vision and 1336 feet (405 meters) at Point Reyes Hill. The route described on this page will ultimately follow along the western base of this ridge, but won't ascend to its crest. At the Glenbrook Trail junction, you could turn left to stay on the Estero Trail and return via the White Gate and Muddy Hollow Road trails-doing so would add an extra 2 miles (3 km) to your hike. Or continue straight along the ridge crest as the Glenbrook Trail leads 0.6 miles (1 km) north to the Muddy Hollow Road Trail. Turn right and follow the Muddy Hollow Road Trail as it meanders 2.3 miles (3.7 km) along the base of Inverness Ridge back to the trailhead. The Bucklin and Bayview Trails connect with the Muddy Hollow RoadTrail and offer routes to ascend to the crest of Inverness Ridge, which would add another ~4 to ~6 miles (6.4 to 9.6 km) to your hike. This route description alone is not a substitute for a trail map. Print out the park's North Districttrail map (3,409 KB PDF) before your visit, or pick one up at a visitor center on your way. Always check current conditions before heading out into the park and familiarize yourself with park regulations . Please practice Leave No Trace principles. Visit the park's Hiking at Point Reyes National Seashore page for hiking tips and information about trail etiquette and safety. Visit the park's Trail Advisories and Closures page for current informati...