The Palomarin is the southern coastal portion of the Point Reyes National Seashore. It features Bass Lake, ripening blackberry patches and views that make you feel like you can see forever.

The Coastal Trail weaves along Palomarin’s cliffs and continues all the way to Limantour Beach. A moderately strenuous four-mile (one-way) hike is the section between Palomarin Trailhead and Double Point.

For a moderately strenuous three-mile (one-way) adventure, follow the Coastal Trail to Bass Lake and stop for a swim if you wish.

Starting at the Palomarin trailhead, the Coastal Trail is a steady upward grade to the top of cliffs that rise 200 to 400 feet above the ocean. The scenic views of the coastline and the reef below feature classic shoreline drama of ocean waves pounding on rocky shoreline. Surges of water explode on rocks sending frothy plumes high into the air.

From the high vantage point, the ocean’s blue-black color stretches until it meets the pale sky. That distance to the horizon is about 28 miles and on a clear day you may see one or more of the Farallon Islands. Watch for whales about a mile off shore, and seals and sea birds along the shore.

The trail follows an old road that veers inland for a while and passes through stands of eucalyptus and Douglas fir trees. Summer wildflowers are blooming and ripening blackberries are hanging heavy on the vines.

Bass Lake is a large lake that fills a deep hollow on the left side of the trail. The lake is surrounded with Douglas fir and alder trees and its dark green water is inviting on a warm afternoon.

For access to Bass Lake, continue past the lake on the main trail and turn left on a small path that heads toward the lake. Access to the water’s edge is a steep rough path that may require some scrambling. Thick vegetation crowds the lake leaving only a couple rocky spots where swimmers can reach the water. A small meadow nearby provides a flat spot where swimmers can stretch out in the sun to warm up after their dip.

Continuing northwest on the Coastal Trail, you pass through groves of trees and some open landscape. Pelican Lake is visible from the trail, but it’s a distance away and there’s no access to it.

Double Point is the rocky protrusion beyond Pelican Lake. When you’re ready to head back, return to Palomarin parking lot via the same route.

To reach the Palomarin Trailhead, drive to Bolinas and follow Mesa Road until it dead-ends at the parking lot.

Tacy Dunham is the author of several trail guide books. For information about her books e-mail cottonwoodpress4ca@hotmail.com. For past columns, go to www.marinij.com/outdoors.