Group Hike: Wilbur's Watch, Pescadero

 

When: All year 
Where: Wilbur's Watch Hike, Pescadero, CA 94060
Who: All ages - the trail has a stroller friendly option, but you will get a workout
Cost: Free

This hike was done with Christian Home Educators of San Francisco (CHESF) at the beginning of the year, before pandemic restrictions started.  To start off,  the parking lot can be a little difficult to find - it is a small turnoff past the Pigeon Point lighthouse road if driving south, also the turn into the parking lot is unmarked. However, the fact it is semi-hidden has an advantage - we had the whole trail to ourselves. 

The trail starts with a series of switchbacks, which is where stroller owners will get the most workout. However, the path is broad, and only occasionally bumpy.There aren't many junctions either, so children felt safe running ahead and then running back to join our party (those of you who have hiked with children will understand - with all that back and forth, they probably hiked twice the distance we  adults did).

Along the way, there is a lookout point with a bench. We saw some birds and ground squirrels, as well as some scat which probably came from coyotes. The latter fact we know because a parent brought along a field guide (another benefit of homeschooling - seizing the teachable moments!).

Photo courtesy of CHESF (https://homeschoolsf.wixsite.com/chesf/)

After the series of switch backs, the path evens out until near the top; there was a junction with one path marked Private so we took the other path to the top. There was a lookout telescope at the top, and a bench where we snacked, sat and looked through the telescope. Some brought out their nature journals and sketched the views. The trail was probably a mile from the parking lot to the top, and with little ones and strollers it took us close to an hour.

When everyone felt rested, we started back down. Since it was downhill, we were considerably faster. It had been cloudy when we arrived, but when the sun came out, it was a glorious reminder of God's wondrous works.

Psalm 24:1-2 (ESV)

The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof,
the world and those who dwell therein,
for he has founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.

Photo courtesy of CHESF (https://homeschoolsf.wixsite.com/chesf/)