08/02/2025 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM PT
This event is inspired by Bay Nature's online piece by Lisa Krieger, Point Reyes, After the Cattle
Join Bay Nature, Lisa Krieger, and Burr Heneman on Saturday, August 2 from 10am - 12:30pm for a tour of the abandoned 1860s-era D Ranch at Point Reyes National Seashore to learn about the past and future of agriculture on the peninsula, following the settlement of a contentious land-use dispute that could transform the landscape. The historic D Ranch, which sits on a finger of land overlooking the spectacular Drakes Estero, feels like a museum piece, frozen in time since the closure of Vivian Horick’s Grade A dairy business. The tour will feature a summary of the legal battles of the past 15 years and the challenge of future restoration and land management efforts. We’ll note how both native plants and many invasive weed species are reclaiming the ranch. We’ll point out places where coastal scrub is taking over large areas that ranchers and, before them, Native Americans, maintained as grassland for hundreds and, probably, thousands of years. We'll look for elk and birds. For the intrepid, the walk can continue down to Drakes Beach.
Meet Your Hike Leaders:
Lisa Krieger is a journalist and amateur history buff who lives in Inverness, California, on the edge of the Seashore. She was science writer for The San Jose Mercury News from 1998 to 2025. She serves on the boards of the Point Reyes National Seashore Association, the Northern California Science Writers Association, and the Palo Alto Historical Association.
Burr Heneman has been connected to the Seashore since moving to West Marin in 1971. With his interests in conservation, ranching, and natural history, he’s often been at the intersection of land management planning and Park policy development – a busy intersection for the past 15 years. He served on the federal Citizens Advisory Commission for Point Reyes and GGNRA for much of the ‘70s and ‘80s. And he’s out exploring the Park every couple of days.
Hike location: Historic D Ranch. Drake Beach Rd, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956. Google Maps Link
Meet up location: We will meet up near the Historic D Ranch. Historic D Ranch. Drake Beach Rd, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956. Google Maps Link
Hike length: This hike will be approximately 0.5 - 1 mile long. We will be pausing often to discuss the history.
Hike difficulty: Be prepared for very uneven ground as there’s no defined trail for much of the hike. The ranch complex is level dirt and pavement, but as we hike out to the stock pond we'll encounter lumpy, uneven pasture grounds. You'll need to watch out for your ankles and tripping hazards along the way, so bring hiking poles if helpful. You could (after the hike) continue on your own. Overall, minimal elevation change, with net change around 20-30 feet.
Parking: Historic D Ranch. Drake Beach Rd, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956. Google Maps Link
Weather Note: Dress in layers, be prepared for fog, wind, mist, sun, everything. This event is a rain-or-shine event unless conditions prove unsafe.
Access to restrooms and water: Bathrooms are not present at our meet up location, but are present at Drake’s Beach. Please plan to bring 1-2 liters of your own water.
Other notes: Bring 1-2 liters of water, snacks, layers, and sun protection. Comfortable, close-toed walking shoes are recommended. No dogs are allowed on Bay Nature hikes. All minors must be accompanied by a guardian for the duration of this event. Bring hiking poles, cameras, and binoculars if preferred. Please note you may encounter ticks, poison oak, and other hazards along the way.