Bucklin

Dogs No Dogs

Features Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Bucklin Trail starts from the midpoint of Muddy Hollow Road, but can be traveled in either direction. One of the highlights of this trail is the opportunity to see how the area was devastated by the 1995 Mount Vision fire. This fire (started by an improperly extinguished campfire) burned for four days, destroyed 12,000 acres, consumed 45 Inverness homes.

The Bucklin trail climbs steadily along a ridge at a moderate grade, without much extra undulation. Through the densely regrown forest you'll spot stumps and charred wood pieces. The young Bishop pine trees grow back very close together, but as they grow larger, only the strong ones survive leaving the mature trees spaced more widely apart. The trail is mostly hemmed in and covered with a canopy of these pines.

After a second nearly level section, the trail twists through one steep switchback up and over a knob. Once the relatively flat plateau is reached, you emerge into a large clearing at the top. Pause here to take in the expansive views westward of Point Reyes and the ocean. To the east is a fenced off FAA radar installation. This summit is the second highest peak in the park- Point Reyes Hill at 1,336 feet. Oddly, Point Reyes Hill is 54 feet higher than the peak of Mount Vision, yet only merits the label "hill." The Bucklin trail ends at Drakes View Drive (Mount Vision Dr.) and the northern end of Inverness Ridge trail. Note: bikes are not allowed on this trail.

Deer, rabbits, Banana slugs, mushrooms