Adventure 008, Hike 077 - Whalers Knoll Trail

Capture California, the Game-2012

Adventure: 008, Hike 077 – Whalers Knoll Trail

Team: Thing One, Thing Two

Date:  August 31, 2012

Location: Point Lobos State Reserve

Hike Info:

Trail: Whalers Knoll Trail

Distance: 0.4 miles

Duration: 0;15

Elevation Rise: 100'

 Description:

How many times in your life do you get to act like a lookout for a whale, like in those days of old and shoot out at the top of your lungs, “Thar She Blows!!!!!”. Well, today would not be one of those days. From the junction with the North Shore Trail, we trail up and eastward. It is not a bad rise, when we get to the top, we find a nicely carved whale bench. To be honest, the view is not that great and I wonder how in the world could they have spotted a whale from her. But now it is downhill and ready to complete the loop back to the North Shore Trail on the other side of the knoll. But first, as we come down to the North Shore Trail, Thing Two spots two young deer. A good way to end this section of our walk.



But now, did we spot a whale? Read on!



From the Point Lobos Brochure:
Three trails lead to the knoll, one from th entrance road, two from the North Shore Trail. The longest trail over this hill is .5 miles, 25 minutes with an elevation gain of 180', through woods to views.



“Thar she blows!” imagine yourself an old-time lookout stationed on the windy hill to spot the whales on which your livelihood depends. A flagpole once stood here; a signal flag was raised when whales were sighted and lowered when the boat crew was heading in the right direction.



Examine the pines from October to March for clusters of orange-and-black Monarch Butterflies that seek sunny protected branches for wintering.
























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