Morning At White Gulch

Morning at White Gulch: This wildlife tour launches from Miller Park on Tomales Bay. We will paddle toward Hog Island for a glimpse of harbor seals and resting waterfowl and shore birds. Once across the bay and to the western shore, we will paddle into White Gulch, keeping an eye out for Tule elk, bat rays, and leopard sharks. Floating past the white sandstone cliffs, we will look for the starfish and crabs that make these rocks their home. We will find a secluded beach for our picnic snack of freshly baked breads, organic fruits, and locally made cheeses. After our snack, we will return to our kayaks for a leisurely paddle back across the bay, perhaps paddling past Hog Island, over to the oyster beds, or through eel grass beds teeming with marine life. Morning at White Gulch Time: 10am to 2pm Price: $89 Per person        Includes light snack Dates: Saturdays & Sunday year round        Check Calendar for dates Launch Site: Nick's Cove (see Directions for details)

White Gulch and the Tule Elk

White Gulch, named for its beautiful cliffs of Laird’s sandstone, is the best place for spotting Tule elk. This quiet little inlet was once home to Miwok Indians, and at the turn of the century was a thriving fishing village bristling with wharves and shanties. All that remains today are the ruins of a small building and dock. Nature has taken back this beautiful area and created a perfect grassland habitat for Tule elk.

For thousands of years, Tule elk roamed the peninsula freely and in great numbers, but hunting and ranching decimated them completely by the mid 1800s. In 1979 the Point Reyes National Seashore reintroduced a small herd of 8 cows and 2 bulls, creating the Tomales Point Tule Elk reserve of 2600 acres at the tip of the Point Reyes Peninsula. This reintroduction has been so successful that the herd now numbers over 400 head.

The Tule elk herd of Tomales Point is an exceptional attraction of White’s Gulch, but certainly not the only one. Egrets and heron roost in the trees on the cove’s northern hillside. The shoreline waters are forested with eelgrass and marine algae, creating the perfect environment for spotting bat rays, harbor seals, waterfowl and even an occasional river otter. Paddling along the coastline we experience this extraordinary area and its inhabitants at a relaxing and enjoyable pace.

Preparing for Your Trip
The success of any journey is often based on well prepared participants. The most important contribution you can make is to arrive on time prepared and eager to enjoy the trip. When getting ready for your trip please double check that you understand the directions and allow yourself plenty of travel time. It is very important to be appropriately dressed to insure your comfort and enjoyment.
Please study and follow the Clothing Recommendations provided.

Food
To complement this exceptional adventure, PRO provides a wonderfully catered meal prepared locally using organically grown produce, baked breads, and local cheeses. We are excited and honored to incorporate the local flavors of Point Reyes into our tours. Please let us know if you have special dietary needs.

Your Guides
PRO takes pride in the quality and skill level of your guides. Impeccably trained, they bring a wealth of knowledge and proficiency to each trip. With expertise in group facilitation, natural history, wilderness first aid, and specialized kayak instruction, your guides are ready to provide you with a safe, relaxing and enjoyable experience. As a trip’s success and safety depends on their judgment, we ask that you respect and support their decisions.

Terms and Payment
Point Reyes Outdoors, LLC reserves the right to change an itinerary or cancel any trip due to: weather, acts of god, inadequate sign up, or any unforeseen problems that would make the trip unsafe for its participants. In such cases clients will be offered either credit toward a future trip or a full refund.
PRO has a six day client cancellation policy on all trips and classes. There are no exceptions to this policy. We accept Visa and Master Card, cash or checks. Gratuities are not included in the cost of the trip and there is no obligation to tip your guides but many people do. The industry standard is in the range of 10%; any amount will be greatly appreciated.

Directions
Please study and follow the Directions to Miller Park for our Morning and Picnic at White’s Gulch Tour.
Have a safe and enjoyable drive and please do your best to be on time.