03.20.08
From the issue Combo Classics
Bike 'n' Hike
Good bike-and-hike trails are sometimes hard to find. In Point Reyes, the popular Bear Valley Trail is one of the best, with a peaceful ride and ramble that leads to a hulking coastal destination. Get a jumpstart on hikers by biking the first 3 mellow miles along the creek-side fire road, through towering Douglas firs. Lock your bike at the rack and continue on a foot trail that parallels the creek for another mile; near the end, the canopy thins and suddenly the destination pops into sight: Arch Rock (pictured). Walk out to rock's edge for huge views up and down the coast. On the ride back, take a break at Divide Meadow, a sunny expanse prime for picnics; from here it's a sweet stretch of gradual downhill back to the trailhead.
From the Bear Valley Visitor Center bike the Bear Valley Trail. After 3 miles, you'll reach a junction and bike rack. Lock your bike and continue 1 mile on the Bear Valley Trail to Arch Rock. Return the way you came. For more information on Point Reyes click here. No dogs.
