This event is co-hosted by Point Reyes National Seashore Association, Disabled Hikers, and Point Reyes Books. Books will be for sale at the event.

Syren Nagakyrie visits Point Reyes to discuss their new book, The Disabled Hiker’s Guide to Northern California, and their work to create a more accessible and inclusive outdoors.

The Disabled Hiker’s Guide to Northern California: Outdoor Adventures Accessible by Car, Wheelchair, and on Foot is a trailblazing guide that removes one of the barriers to access in the outdoors by providing detailed trail information written by a disabled person, for disabled people. The book features over 40 scenic drives and viewpoints, verified wheelchair accessible trails, and foot trails for disabled hikers. The trail guides provide a step-by-step or roll-by-roll description of what you will encounter on the trail, including obstacles like roots and rocks, steep sections, and places to rest. Public transit and driving directions, detailed maps, and hundreds of photos are also featured. The book covers the northern region of California, from Monterey to the Oregon state line, and offers options that meet a variety of accessibility needs to ensure there is something for everyone.

A hike along Bear Valley Trail (a trail featured in the book!) will follow the book discussion.

Registration is free and highly encouraged. Please select ‘General Admission’ ticket.

Face masks are required for the talk and the hike.

Please email questions to Ashley Hebert at ashleyh@ptreyes.org.

Accessibility Information

This event is hosted at the Red Barn Classroom at Point Reyes National Seashore. The Red Barn Classroom is wheelchair accessible. There is accessible parking and a ramp from the gravel lot to the classroom. There is an accessible restroom. Moderately cushioned chairs with arm rests will be arranged in either a circle or rows, depending on group size. They will be placed no closer than 6in to each other. All doors and windows at the Red Barn will be left open. A large HEPA air purifier will be left on. Face masks are required. This event will not be offered on Zoom and at this time, we are not able to offer closed captioning.

Bear Valley Trail is a gradual, well-packed, wide dirt trail that leads through Douglas Fir forests alongside a stream to a woodland meadow. The trail averages a 3% grade, with short sections up to 10%. There are vault toilets at the meadow up a short, steep incline.

The hike is taken at a slow pace with opportunities to rest as needed. Please bring something to sit on if you need it; there are no benches on the trail. We will adjust the hike to meet the needs of everyone present.

About Syren Nagakyrie

Syren Nagakyrie is the founder of Disabled Hikers, a nonprofit organization building disability community and justice in the outdoors. Syren grew up with multiple disabilities and encounters numerous barriers to outdoor recreation but has always found nature to be a place of belonging. As a long-time disabled activist and community builder, Syren is committed to building a movement of Disabled leadership in the outdoors. They are the author of The Disabled Hiker’s Guide to Northern California: outdoor adventures accessible by car, wheelchair, and foot (2024) and The Disabled Hiker’s Guide to Western Washington and Oregon (2022), both published by FalconGuides. They also work with parks, organizations, brands, and government agencies to improve access and belonging for the disability community. They live in the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State.

Alt text: A triptych-style image. On the left is a book cover for the Disabled Hiker’s Guide to Northern California with an image of redwood trees. In the middle is a forest green background with a white Disabled Hikers logo, featuring mountains, evergreen trees, and three figures: one with poles, one in a wheelchair, and one with a dog on leash. On the right is an image of author in a plaid shirt, sitting on a bench with a cane and trees in the background.

Photo by: Syren Nagakyrie, Disabled Hikers