Hiked between the Golden Gate and Pt Reyes north of San Francisco during a month Xmas break (took a few days off trail for Xmas itself). This trail has been covered before so more about conditions during a rainy winter, drying gear (or lack thereof), etc… The trails when muddy are still easily passable for the most part. I cut weight using mostly summer gear (Patrol Shelter, 40F quilt) but a thicker full length pad (Nemo Astro 20R with built in pillow) and both a puffy vest with R1 fleece hoody. Note the pics that follow do not account for some dark gray overcast days which were fun on their own.
Select pics:
Lagoon near coast
Approaching Coast
Muddy trails were the norm
Journeys end: New Yrs Eve
When clear, the beaches offered a super view. Going up it was increasingly rainy, so I spent a day at Pt. Reyes hostel drying off gear. A cpl days of clear skies but nothing would really dry off until I took a break for Christmas and was able to wipe everything down with a cotton towel and leave it in front of a fan for a cpl days. After Christmas there was a break in the weather and I made it from Pt Reyes to Golden Gate except for a day of drizzle. It was fun and a challenge but I will not repeat it again during the long nights of winter. Just too cold and damp to spend a 14 hour period in darkness (though returning home to prep for work, … never say never).
