Elkhorn Slough Reserve
Directions: From Highway 1 at Moss Landing, turn east onto Dolan Road. Go about 3.5 miles and turn left onto Elkhorn Road. Follow Elkhorn Road about 1.9 miles to the Reserve gate on your left.
Fee: $2.50 to walk the trails
Website: http://www.elkhornslough.org/
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Long billed curlew
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On Sunday January 14, 2007 I hiked the trails of the Elkhorn Slough Reserve
January 14, 2007 was right smack in the middle of a cold snap caused by arctic air that descended upon most of the country including California. Overnight temperatures were in the freezing 20’s and teens in areas and it was just plain cold during the day too. I don’t have all the clothes yet for cold weather hiking since most of the time, they would be gathering dust in the closet. So what to do? I went to the coast for the moderating influence of the sea and it was a good choice.
I still wore a long sleeved base layer though under a long sleeved fleece top and that was enough. The weather was cool but clear with only a slight breeze and I was very comfortable out on the trails.
The Elkhorn Slough Reserve is not large though and only has about 6 miles of trails with very little elevation change. It is not a challenging place to hike and I don’t go there to get a work out. On the contrary, I go there to practice photography and I go there for my soul. There is something about the place that is just as peaceful and tranquil as can be. Listening to the sounds of the seagulls and other birds in the slough does something for me. I always feel good when I am there.
And this day was no exception. I walked most of the trails, stopping to take pictures here and there, to enjoy the smell of the sea breezes and the sounds of the birds. I started out from the Visitor Center walking past the old barn and around the lagoons on the South Marsh Loop Trail. I took the brief excursion out to the North Marsh Overlook where I saw what looked like a Red-shouldered hawk perched on a post. Then I walked back to the South Marsh Loop Trail and followed it out across the railroad tracks to Hummingbird Island. I didn’t see any hummingbirds there on this day but you could see birds out on the mud flats exposed during the low tide.
From there I walked back and caught the Five Fingers Loop Trail to finish my walk. I missed only the walk out to the Parsons Slough Overlook and the Long Valley Loop Trail as I had run up against the Elkhorn Reserve 5:00 PM closing time. But that is OK though. I will return to this little jewel of a place again and again as it is good like a fine wine and feeds my soul.
GPS Stats
Distance hiked: 4.9 miles
Total ascent:
Trailhead Elevation:
Max Elevation:
Moving time: 1 hr 50 mim
Moving Average: 2.7 mph
Overall average: 1.9 mph
Time stopped: 40 min
Personal stats
Dates Hiked:
14-Jan-2007
Start time: 2:30 PM
Weather: Sunny, cool and comfortable though during the day, but chilly as the sunset for the evening.
Water consumed: 500 ml
Finish time: 5:00 PM
Total time: 2 hr 30 min
Beauty: THe Elkhorn Slough Reserve has some very beautiful groves of coast live oak and other trees on the property. Coupled with the other plants and wildlife, it is easy to forget the power lines and other trappings of civilization that would otherwise detract from the experience of being there.
Wildlife seen: Numerous birds from sea gulls, to egrets, to ducks, to long billed curlews.
Difficulty: Easy hikes on mostly flat terrain with only a few slopes to climb.
