Sinkyone entrance sign about midway down from the Four Corners fork to the Needle Rock ranger station. Unlike my last trip to the area, the day was clear and sunny.

The road (Mendocino 435) to Orchard camp was closed, so an additional 2.2 miles was added to our route in and out. We parked at the Needle Rock Visitors station and gathered our gear for the trip south.

We seemed to have brough enough produce to stock a small grocery store, so David gave some to the camp hosts to store in their fridge until we returned.

The first 2+ miles was on the continuation of the Briceland road as it headed south past the Visitors Station. The trail sign reads 2.7 miles to Bear Harbor, which is slightly past the end of the road at Orchard Camp.

Ruedi, David, and Monica (packs laden with fresh avacados) ready to start down the trail.

David (left), Ruedi (right) and Monica (back) on an early section of the road to Orchard Camp. It was getting quite hot in the afternoon sun, but there was a nice breeze blowing off the ocean.

Looking south along the Briceland Road as it parallelled the coastline heading S/SE.

Flat Rock Creek, the low point of the road before it started heading up towards "High Tip" point.

Looking south and down from near High Tip point. Orchard Camp is right around the bend in the road and Bear Harbor is behind the ridge in the center of the frame.