McNee Ranch State Park (Gray Whale Cove Trail) 2015-12-12

McNee Ranch State Park is located in Montara, north of Moss Beach and south of Pacifica along Hwy 1. Free parking is available at three places - Montara State Beach, Martini Creek parking lot; just ahead of it on the inland side of Hwy 1 by the trailheads for about 5 or 6 cars; at the north end of the trail in Gray Whale Cove Beach parking lot. 

Apollo and I started our hike at the southern end of the Gray Whale Cove trail. From near sea level, the trail gradually climbs couple of hundred feet through a shaded section to reach the top of the bluffs. From here, the single track dirt trail pretty much hugs the coastline as it winds its way towards Gray Whale Cove beach.

Views from this trail are simply gorgeous. This section of coastal trail hike is north of the Pillar Point hike and south of the Devil's slide hike we've done earlier. On one side of the bluffs, the Santa Cruz mountain range stands tall and on the other, the Pacific Ocean and the impressive waves were crashing against the cliffs and rocks. 

At little more than a mile one way, Gray Whale Cove trail is a short one. About half way, there are couple of park benches to sit and enjoy the views of the ocean. I was figuring out my next steps reaching the north end of the trail when I met a park docent. 

We struck a conversation and she volunteered lot of information about the history of the place. Just north of the Gray Whale Cove beach parking lot, the mountain was cut and a road laid leading north. This was part of the ill-fated Ocean Shore railroad project from early 1900s.  

We walked back together and she gave me more information about McNee ranch and the vegetation along side the trail. Just past the vista point I'd mentioned earlier, there is a cutoff on the left to Old San Pedro mountain road. We took that and walked south, crossed a wooden bridge to visit the Ocean View farm where a horse was putting on a show rolling over mud to the amusement of a donkey in the next enclosure!

From here, Apollo and I walked back to the trailhead where I had parked the car. Today's hike was an easy 3.5 mile trek, up and down by picturesque Gray Whale Cove trail, bit of hike north of the Gray Whale Cove beach parking lot and the detour into Ocean View farms. 

I do plan to visit this park once more to hike to the top of north peak.

More pictures from the hike.
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