Estero–Glenbrook–Muddy Hollow Road Loop

The Estero–Glenbrook–Muddy Hollow Road Loop is a 7.4-mile circuit from Muddy Hollow Trailhead, following Muddy Hollow Trail, Estero Trail, Glenbrook Trail, and the old road back to the car. Allow 3–4 hours. It is a moderate walk over packed dirt and rolling grades, with a climb over a 370-foot ridge. The appeal is the changing country: young woodland, coastal scrub and grassland, then distant views over Estero de Limantour and Drakes Bay.

From the trailhead, follow Muddy Hollow Trail south about 0.3 mile through a riparian valley to Estero Trail. Estero climbs through scrub and young Bishop pines, tops the ridge, then drops toward Glenbrook Creek. After about 2.2 miles on Estero, the creek area can hold standing water in winter and spring. Just beyond it, eucalyptus trees mark the site of New Albion Ranch, the first dairy on Point Reyes; they were planted as a windbreak. Continue south toward Estero and Drakes Bay before the trail bends sharply north along a low ridge.

The open ridge carries distant ocean and estuary views. Keep a strip of grass at the bottom of a photo when the view opens; it gives the wetlands and coast a sense of scale. Glenbrook Trail heads north about 0.6 mile to Muddy Hollow Road, then the old road meanders about 2.3 miles along the base of Inverness Ridge back to the trailhead. This area burned in the 1995 Vision Fire; young Bishop pines are moving back into former grassland and coastal scrub. Tule elk are possible, though sightings are not guaranteed.

There is no bridge where Muddy Hollow Road crosses Muddy Hollow Creek just west of the trailhead. Water can be higher in winter and spring, so wet feet are possible; the clockwise route leaves that crossing close to the car. Check it before choosing your direction. Packed dirt can be wet and rutted, and the open ridge is exposed to sun and wind; summer fog often limits views in July through September. Pets are prohibited on the route. The small dirt trailhead lot holds about 15 vehicles; no food, drinking water or toilets were listed there.