Stewart Trail

Trail length: 6.1 miles each way, out and back
Time: 4-6 hours
Terrain: oak, fir, bay, maple forests
Restroom? Yes, at Five Brooks and at Wildcat Camp
Parking: Yes, large parking lot at Five Brooks
Kid friendly?
Bikes are allowed
Dates visited: 9/16/16, 9/29/18, 8/13/18, 4/26/19, 11/27/20, 2/26/21
Favorite plants on this trail: California Spikenard  (Aralia californica)
Favorite spots:

The Stewart trail, a former fire road, is a wide trail winding from Olema Valley to the ocean. It’s a steady ascent to the 1324 foot summit at Firtop peak. It’s a main artery for reaching many smaller trails such as the Greenpicker, Alamea, and Old Out Road. The trail is mostly shaded so it’s perfect on a warm day. At the coast end of the trail, you’ll be high above the ocean with expansive views of Wildcat Camp and the surrounding hills.

Stewart Trail to Coast Trail hike

Start at Five Brooks Trailhead: Take the Stewart Trail to the Alamea Trail (via a small piece of the Ridge Trail). Follow the Alamea Trail to the Old Out Road Trail, ending at the Coast Trail. Take the Coast Trail back to the Stewart Trail. For variety, exit the Stewart Trail onto the Greenpicker Trail back to the Five Brooks trailhead. Avoid the Greenpicker Trail when its wet as it turns into a slippery mud slide.

California Spikenard or Elk Clover  (Aralia californica)

Aralia californica commonly known as elk clover or California spikenard is abundant on the Stewart Trail. Its vibrant shades of purple berries clustered on long stalks are a stunning vision against the backdrop of green leaves. The common name of elk clover is misleading. The plant is not a clover, but rather a large herb and the only member of the ginseng family native to California. Elk clover thrives in the cool, moist climate of Point Reyes flowering May through August and bearing fruit (berries) July through October. Late summer and fall are the best times to see it along the Stewart Trail in its greatest splendor.

Volunteer Opportunity: PRNSA Field Institute

The Point Reyes National Seashore Association needs assistants for their Field Institute classes. You will spend a day training with PRNSA staff, then a couple of times a year you'll select the classes you'd like to help with. Shortly afterwards, you'll receive a confirmation of which ones you've been assigned. As a facilitator, you get to take the class for free. Normally, two facilitators help with every class. Duties include signing in class participants, making coffee (for indoor classes), talking briefly about PRNSA, and generally helping out as needed. I've been volunteering for about a year. It's a great experience to work with other facilitators and get to know the amazing field institute instructors.