Secret Beach

During our Arch Rock hike (see previous post), we were lucky enough to come upon Secret Beach at low tide, allowing us to scramble down some rocks to enjoy our picnic in a delightful almost hidden alcove, replete with a waterfall and trailing stream which trickled out to meet the waves. Twice each day this beach is re-sculpted, with the incoming tide washing up the shore and swallowing the stream, and the newly formed stream re-carving its path with each low tide. One wonders how "secret" this tiny beach really is, since we found it not only on the trail map, but also along the trail itself. Still, we were the only ones there that day, and it isn't all that easy to access. You have to be comfortable with a scrambling short climb down, and back up the rocks that separate the trail from the beach. Well worth the effort, but watch the tide! You don't want to get stuck at high tide waiting for the waves to recede before getting back on the trail.