Wednesday, January 14, 2015
The approach of the new moon on Tuesday, January 20 continues a pattern of very high tides ranging from 6.7 feet in the mid-morning on Sunday, January 18 at 8:20 am to a peak of 6.9 feet on Tuesday at 10 am. The very low tides are just after dark in the evening.
Winter wildlife has literally roared in with the high tides. Northern elephant seals are jostling for positions in the colonies, and pups are being born. South-bound whales are on the move past the Lighthouse, with steady sightings throughout the weekends.
Good news from the trail crew; 90% of trails are passable to horses/hikers/cleared of trees after winter storms. Last to clear is a report on the Olema Valley Trail near Randall Spur. [Reports of trees blocking the Lake Ranch Trail, the Fire Lane Trail (between the Sky Trail and Laguna Trail), and the Coast Trail (near Bass Lake) were received on Wednesday, January 14 after the Park Wavelengths was emailed to subscribers. Visit our Trail Guide & Suggested Hikes page for the latest information on Trail Closures.- Ed.]
New artwork on display through February at the Bear Valley Visitor Center is color nature photographs from Daniel Dietrich.
Park visitor centers will be open the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday weekend. If the weather is clear shuttles will operate through the three day weekend.
A new stop sign! It is on Sir Francis Drake Highway, west of the Estero Trailhead turnoff. Road conditions are dangerous [large pothole] and eastbound vehicles must move in to the westbound lane, so watch for it [the stop sign] if you are checking out the Lighthouse.