Whale Watching Montara Hike (Dogs Welcome)

Our hope is to see Whales:> Each year, about 20,000 gray whales make an epic 6,000-mile journey between Alaska and Mexico—and then back again. Montara State Beach/McNee Ranch is part of the San Mateo Coast State beaches. It is operated by the California State Department of Parks and Recreation under the San Mateo Coast Sector Office. The 690-acre McNee Ranch (Montara Mountain) encompasses coastal mountain habitat with sweeping coastal vistas. The ranch’s two-mile Pedro Mountain Trail connects to trails leading to Montara Beach and Gray Whale Cove. Montara State Beach. Bring food for a nice long break at Grey Whale beach or on top of the mountain. Grey Whales bringing their young northward stay the closest to the shore... Grey whales normally swim in a cycle of three to five blows, 30 seconds apart, followed by a three to six-minute dive. They often show their tail flukes just before they dive. If they're swimming just below the surface and you're high enough to see the water's surface, they may leave a "trail" of circular calm spots on the face as they pass, making them easier to track.

Level: Intermediate Plus (Very Steep hill)
Total Distance: 7.1 miles Semi loop
Hiking Time: 3 - 3.5 hours (Relaxing looking for whales)
Elevation: 450 feet (very steep)
Information: Free Parking Farallone View Elementary School and on the street surrounding, Restrooms at Grey Whale Cove Parking Lot, no water, Dogs on leash

**Map:**https://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/532/files/SanMateoCoastBeachesParksWeb2016.pdf

Meeting Point / Trailhead: Farallone View Elementary School Parking Lot, 1100 Le Conte Ave, Montara, 94037

GPS: GPS: Latitude: N 37.54325 Longitude: W -122.508137
Coordinates for Trailhead: Farallone View Elementary Parking Lot

Directions:
From Highway 1 south Montara, take Left on Second Street, Left on 3rd street, and Left on Le Conte Ave, Elementary School Parking Lot, on the Left.

Hiking Directions:
Starting Point, Left from parking Lot on Le Conte Ave, then Left on Le Conte Trail, stay left at fork and continue on Le Conte Trail, at T junction short Right on Farallone Trail, the immediate Left on Pedro Mountain Road Trail, Past through Sun Valley Equestrian, over bridge, Left at North Peak access Road, then take 2nd Right on Grey Whale Cove Trail, (Group Photo at Whale Lookout), then continue Left on Grey Whale Cove Trail to the parking lot (restrooms available), then safely cross the street and down the steps to Grey Whale Cove State Beach (optinal), Long break, then return up the steps across the street and up Grey Whale Cove Trail, up the steep mountain stop at plateau, then continue to junction, Right downhill on Pedro Mountain Road Trail, Left Grey Whale Cove Trail, Left North Peak access Road, Right over bridge, on Pedro Mountain Road Trail, Right Farallone Trail, the immediate Right on Le Conte Trail, then on Le Conte Ave and back to starting Point.

Carpooling Link: (Sign up here)carpooling: https://www.groupcarpool.com/t/08bo7k

Carpooling Procedures:
No carpool discussion in the comments, join the carpool link and contact the driver or rider directly.

Thank you .......

Legal Disclaimer: Under what we are about Section
https://www.meetup.com/Urban-and-Bay-Hikers/