Leor Pantilat

The network of trails in Pescadero Creek County Park and adjacent Portola Redwoods State Park are some of my favorite paths anywhere. These parks are characterized by miles of fantastic true single track, almost entirely under forest canopy. Pescadero Creek County Park has essentially no infrastructure allowing one to experience a wilderness feeling despite being so close to the Bay Area. In fact, I encountered less than a half dozen people on a weekend afternoon. The drive to the park is along narrow and windy Alpine Road and then a bumpy and potholed “driveway” down the mountainside to a dirt parking lot at the Tarwater Trailhead. This time along the Brook Loop I decided to make a small detour to the Towne Overlook which I had not seen prior. This scenic overlook provides a commanding vantage of the Pescadero Creek Watershed and Butano Ridge with miles of redwood forest as far as the eye can see. It goes without saying that this small diversion is worthwhile! While I’m otherwise very familiar with this park and have shared photos before, here are a few more!

More photos here.

The North Cascades of Washington state are a special place. These mountains were the inception of my adventure running in 2006. While I do many more trips in the High Sierra these days, I always look forward to a trip up to WA to visit some of my favorite mountains. The North Cascades have a unique character as glistening white glaciers beneath rugged summit pinnacles juxtapose deep green valleys choked with brush and forest. Here are a few ideas for this year:

• Isolation Traverse: The traverse from Snowfield Peak to Eldorado Peak is the missing link to two areas that I have visited many times. I’m especially interested in views of the immense McAllister Glacier icefall and an up-close view of Backbone ridge. 
• Pickets Westside: From Hannegan Pass to Diablo Lake, this route through the Pickets is even more remote and rugged than 2010′s Luna Cirque Traverse and passes underneath the towering walls of the Southern Picket “fence.” The terrain is arduous and challenging so the Westside is only traversed a couple times a year, if at all. Intense summit names like Challenger, Fury, Terror, Crooked Thumb, and Phantom manifest the difficulty of reaching this fabled region and there is virtually no evidence of human impact.
• Mount Redoubt & Mount Spickard: The Redoubt region is located near the Canadian border and it’s been a long time since I’ve visited this highly scenic corner of the North Cascades. It would be nice to do the Redoubt High Route to Whatcom Pass with stupendous views of the Picket Range. 
• Luna Peak: The highest point in the Picket Range, Luna Peak also offers the best view with its eastern position offset from the crest of the Northern and Southern Picket Range. The view from the summit at sunrise is pictured below and I would like to return to watch another sunrise from its summit. Plus, it’s been a couple years since I’ve had the honor of battling the Access Creek bushwhack!
• Mount Logan: I have climbed Mount Logan twice, but the view from the summit of the Eldorado Ice Cap and Boston Glacier is breathtaking. This mountain is one of the more remote summit in the range, but lends itself to running with a long approach on trail.
• Mount Formidable: A summit along the Ptarmigan Traverse that I climbed in 2005. This summit provides amazing views in all directions and the approach is equally scenic.
• Wonderland Trail: The 94 mile loop around Mount Rainier has been on my mind for a few years. This outing entails a lot of planning and preparation so I’m not sure it will get done this year, but we’ll see if the opportunity presents itself.

• 2011
• 2010
• 2009
• 2008

Photo Locations:

1. Dome Peak from White Rock Lakes, 2008
2. The Southern Pickets from the summit of Luna Peak, 2005
3. View from Austera Peak, 2011
4. Mount Challenger and Whatcom Peak reflect in Tapto Lakes, 2005
5. Ridge to Mount Fury, 2008
6. View of the Eldorado Ice Cap from the summit of Forbidden Peak, 2006
7. Dana Glacier, 2008
8. View of Boston Glacier from the summit of Mount Logan, 2006
9. View of the Dakobed Range from near High Pass, 2009
10. Southern Pickets from the summit of West McMillan Spire, 2011

I have been fortunate enough to explore some amazing spots in the High Sierra over the last few years, but the outstanding scenery in the “range of light” keeps me coming back for more. Virtually every trip features a stunning combination of rugged granite peaks, placid alpine lakes and colorful meadows in an authentic wilderness setting. The High Sierras are a special place. Following are some adventure run ideas for next summer:

• Glacier Ridge and Big Wet Meadow: One of the most remote spots in the entire range. In fact, just to reach Big West Meadows to get a glimpse of the Whaleback and Glacier Ridge requires a 40 mile round trip hike/run with substantial elevation gain and loss in both directions. However, the sheer granite cliffs rising above the picturesque meadows is simply magical. Last year I climbed the Whaleback itself but this time I’d like to ascend Glacier Ridge, the high point across the valley to the West. Glacier Ridge is a striking aiguille rising from an immense granite ridgeline. Panoramic views from the top include the Great Western Divide and Kaweah Range. 
• Mount Winchell: A member of the Palisades subrange, the most alpine region in the High Sierra. I’ve heard the class three route up the summit is lots of fun and a trip up the North Fork Big Pine drainage is always a pleasure.
• Ritter & Banner: Last climbed in 2007, it has been awhile since I have visited these two summits that form the centerpiece of the Ansel Adams Wilderness. This time I intend to make a large loop out of Agnew Meadows including Garnet Lake, Thousand Island Lake, Lake Catherine and Lake Ediza.
• High Sierra Trail – Whitney Portal to Crescent Meadows: This magnificent route stretches 72 miles from Whitney Portal on the eastern side of the Sierras to Crescent Meadows on the western side in Sequoia National Park. The trip includes a big ascent of Mount Whitney right from the start but is largely downhill afterwards (except for the gradual ascent up to Kaweah Gap). This trail features stunning scenery throughout and passes through one of the most magnificent basins in the High Sierra in Hamilton Lakes and the Valhallas. The primary logistical problems don’t involve the trail and are twofold: (1) obtaining a permit to hike in Whitney Trail, even if it will likely be ascended in the middle of the night, and (2) the car shuttle with a substantial amount of driving to get from the start to the finish.
• Arrow Peak & Bench Lake: The view of Arrow Peak from Bench Lake is one of the classic views in the Sierra. It’s quite a slog to get back there via Taboose Pass as the climb literally starts in the desert of Owens Valley, but it looks like it will be worth it!
• Observation Peak and Amphitheater Lake: A remote destination with long approach routes by any means. I would likely ascend Taboose Pass and then head up the John Muir Trail towards Mather Pass before splitting off just before the pass and heading cross country over a different pass to the west and through a basin to the objective. Amphitheater Lake looks spectacular!
• Middle Palisade: A 14er in the rugged Palisades group that I climbed in 2009. It would be nice to return and go for a faster time, but I would not sacrifice enjoying stunning Finger Lake, with its turquoise glacial water and towering granite slabs (pictured below). 
• Langley: Another great trail run up the southermost fourteener in the Sierras and one of the highest trailheads at over 10,000 feet. A loop around Langley/Cottonwood area has been on the list for awhile but it’s about as far from the Bay Area as you can get.  Hopefully I’ll get to it this season in conjunction with acclimation for a run of the High Sierra Trail.
• Tower Peak: An impressive peak in Northern Yosemite accessed from below Sonora Pass. This trip looks to be around 35 miles roundtrip.
• Mount Stanford: The “shyest” major peak in the Sierra, Mount Stanford just barely misses the 14,000 foot level so it is infrequently climbed, but I’ve got to climb the peak named after my alma mater at some point!
• Northern Yosemite 50: A delicious 50 mile loop in northern Yosemite originating at Twin Lakes and entailing five passes, including highlight stops at Peeler Lake, the Benson Lake Riviera, Matterhorn Canyon, and Sawtooth Ridge. I ran this loop last year, but it’s so good that I definitely want to return.
• Palisades Circumnavigation: A complete tour of the Palisades Group including passage through five  high passes: Scimitar Pass, Potluck Pass, Thunderbolt Pass, and Jigsaw Pass.

Photo Locations: 

1. Dusy Basin, 2011
2. Finger Lake below Middle Palisade, 2009
3. Bear Creek Spire from Long Lake, 2011
4. Milestone Peak from Milestone Creek, 2011
5. Banner Peak (center) and Mount Ritter (left) from Thousand Island Lake, 2007
6. The Whaleback from Big Wet Meadow, 2011
7. Fin Dome near Arrowhead Lake, 2010
8. Picture Peak from Sailor Lake, 2007

Bean Hollow State Beach, located on the San Mateo Coast just south of Pescadero, offers excellent opportunities for tidepooling with an extensive area of rocks that becomes revealed at low tide. The tafoni rock features many grooves and holes which are perfect for sea urchins and these purple creatures were literally everywhere. There were also many crabs, small fish in the pools, and dozens of harbor seals basking in the sunlight. The beach itself is extremely pretty with a nice stretch of sand tucked in among the rocks (prior post here). More photos: seals, sea life, setting.

Spectacular McClures Beach is located towards the northern end of Point Reyes National Seashore. The broad sandy beach is enclosed by bluffs and rocks in a rugged setting with typically rough surf coming off the Pacific Ocean. The rock at the southern end of the beach, known as Elephant Rock, can be climbed for a commanding view south all the way down the Great Beach and north to Tomales Point. There are several blow holes and intricate features in this rock that are worth exploring. Around the southern corner beyond Elephant Rock is a small sandy cove with picturesque rock formations. On the day I visited the surf was very high so tidepooling was not feasible, but I imagine these rocks are nice locations to view sea creatures during low tide on a calm day.

Part IV of the Point Reyes photos adventure is tidepooling! These shots are taken at low tide on Sculptured Beach. The sea creatures here are plentiful and seemed larger than other local tidepooling areas.  I suspect this is due to the remote and relatively undisturbed location. The rocks and small caves in the area provide virtually limitless opportunity for exploration and observation. Especially intriguing were the groups of enormous sea stars piled on top of each other in a variety of colors, including orange, pink, purple, and green. Another highlight was the “fields” of thousands of mussels clinging to the lower terraces of rock. There are some beautiful anemones, and in particular I like one with purple tips. Other sea creatures included urchins, crab, small fish, barnacles, limpets and abalone. Some of my favorite photos are below (including a view of the Point Reyes coastline from the Woodward Valley Trail) with the complete album here.

• Part I - Kelham Beach & Arch Rock
• Part II - Sculptured Beach
• Part III – Secret Beach
• More Photography (Dec. 2011)
• Alamere Falls & Phantom Falls (Dec. 2010)
• Headlands (2010)
• First Visit (2009)

Part III of the Point Reyes photo adventure is Secret Beach, a hidden gem along the remote coastline of the southern district of Point Reyes National Seashore. This marvelous stretch of sand amid rugged cliffs and bluffs is only accessible at low tide (either negative or close to negative). One must walk through a small arch (the “door”) at the south end of Sculptured Beach. This arch is notable in itself with bountiful mussels clinging to its rocks and other sea creatures like anemones and sea stars. While the coastal trail travels in parallel above the beach, the steep cliffs and brush essentially preclude alternative access so be mindful of the tides and plan your entry and exit accordingly. Secret Beach is about one mile long and terminates at the cliffs of Point Resistance to the south. The highlight of the beach is a capacious amphitheater accessed by a narrow tunnel (the “blow hole”) just past the entrance to the beach. This remarkable and unique natural phenomenon is a nearly perfect spherical amphitheater with colossal vertical cliffs and curvature sculpted by erosive processes. The golden cliffs juxtaposed with the shaded floor of this natural bowl is striking. The entry to the amphitheater varies depending on the level of sand and can sometimes be a crawl, but on this day it was fairly wide. Several hawks circled above the bowl adding to its mystique. Other highlights of Secret Beach include a small waterfall bouncing off a cliff and an aesthetic arch extending from Point Resistance into the Ocean at the south end. A few of my favorite photos from Secret Beach and a short video clip of the amphitheater are below with a complete photo album here.

• Part I – Kelham Beach & Arch Rock
• Part II – Sculptured Beach

Complete album here.

Following up on the Kelham Beach & Arch Rock post, Part II of the Point Reyes photo adventure is aptly named Sculptured Beach, with its namesake rock formations providing ample opportunity for exploration, inspiration, and natural beauty. There are several arches and bountiful sea creatures clinging to the rocks including mussels, anemones, and starfish making this an excellent spot for tide pooling in low tide (photos in a later post). The immense golden bluffs above the beach have been chiseled by the erosive processes over the millenia creating a stunning background. Since this beach requires a hike to reach, it is rarely crowded.  Here are some photos from this trip to the Sculptured Beach with the complete album here.

Complete album here. 

As part of a day spent exploring some new spots in Point Reyes National Seashore, I enjoyed a gorgeous afternoon walk along Kelham Beach to Arch Rock and then beyond to an overlook of Wildcat Beach. Here are some of my favorite photos from this part of the day with the complete album here. More to come from Point Reyes, including Sculptured Beach, Secret Beach, and tidepooling!

Complete album here. 

Magnificent and unspoiled Pfeiffer Beach has a little bit of everything: an expansive sandy beach, rugged bluffs, huge rock formations with “windows”, tide pooling in low tide, and my favorite aspect, unique purple patches of sand! Since the beach has a western aspect, the location makes for glorious sunsets, especially as a setting sun peeks through the “windows” in the dramatic rock formations. I could stay here for hours exploring the various parts of this beach and watching the waves crash into the rocks and through the arches. The purple sand is indeed purple to magenta and striking on a sunny day when contrasted with the blue ocean waters and surrounding rocks. The distinctive purple coloration is due to manganese garnet particles found in surrounding rocks, and it is most apparent toward the north end of the beach. Complete photo album here and more details below. Bring your camera!

Pfeiffer Beach is managed by the Forest Service and includes a fairly large parking area, but it often fills to capacity on warm summer afternoons in the weekend with no additional parking. The access road is virtually impossible to find unless you know where you’re going. The turnoff is inconspicuous, but it’s 1/4 mile to the north of the Big Sur Post Office and Bakery. The 2 mile one-lane road down Sycamore Canyon is windy and requires caution (15 mph speed limit), but the beach is well worth the efforts. The beach is fairly exposed along the coast so it can be windy and chilly so come prepared. This is also not a place to take a swim as there are severe currents, high and unpredictable surf, and cold Pacific Ocean water. I will definitely be returning to Pfeiffer Beach for further exploration and sunset viewing! Complete photo album here.