Gunkholing the Marin Coastal Seashore

Many times I have driven the Highway One coastal road to Muir and Stinson Beaches, and enjoyed the views of the rugged rocky seashore and the big Pacific swells crashing into it.

 
This part of the coast is usually closed to exploration by Little Cat because of the rough onshore conditions driven by the prevailing North Westerly winds.

Heading out. Note the morning shadow.

Very occasionally and usually in Winter, a period of contrary Easterlies will calm this coast, giving a temporary opportunity for gunkholing.

Pt Bonita North. Still some smoke from the Camp Fire.

Such was this occasion in late Fall, although still not without issues as the Easterlies were blowing 20 knots with gusts to 30 knots, and the only shelter was close up against the shore.

Directly under the Muir Beach Punta Vista.

So ironic to find calm shelter where it is usually a cauldron of angry water. Had lunch in this spot (above), and for the second time on Little Cat, could not get the anchor up. On the previous occasion, I buoyed the anchor line and came back days later with my snorkeling gear. That was not an option here, as it might not be calm again for weeks or months, so gave it full power with the outboard until the anchor shaft bent and it came up. Totaled the anchor, but luckily I have two.

Looking South past Slide Ranch

After lunch, Little Cat and I, explored north past Slide Ranch and got a close up look at the dozens of rocks and largely never-seen little rocky beaches along the shore line.

Looking North to Gull Rock.

I had to pay close attention, as we were constantly buffeted by 25 knot gusts if we got too far away from the shore. Little Cat was doing 5 knots downwind with no sails up!

No escape from the 25 knot gusts off the shore.

We circled around Gull Rock to head back to catch the tide through the Gate. Gull Rock was alive with seabirds, and is in a grand setting overlooked by a rocky point rising 1,000 feet (bisected by HWY 1).

Gull Rock up close (with gulls).

Sailed back on the first reef for the main and jib, and tacked through the Golden Gate Channel. Under the bridge the wind had veered allowing a close reach behind Angel Island.

Close up of shoreline route.

We stopped at this great spot under Bluff Point (Tiburon) to take a break and tidy up on the way back. In so doing, I spilled a bottle of Boat Soap that went all over the deck, starboard cabin, and into the bilge. Expletives followed. Note to self: don't carry around bottles of spillables.