GUALALA POINT PARK - SEA RANCH NORTH

All photos by Bob Rutemoeller

Start at Hidden Parking Lot at 10:00  (on westside entrance just left after pulling past fee post.)   There is a fee per car. (Or park across the street and cross Highway One if you do not have a pass.)  Cross the highway and pick up the new section of the Badger Trail.  Take the Badger Trail and hike the Pomo Hillside Trail to Deer Trail. Turn left (post 147) and walk along the road, turning right on Halcyon and crossing the highway. Turn right on Leeward, left on Fish Rock, taking the trail through the hedge row to the Bluff Trail. Walk north along the trail until you reach the park at post 78. Turn right and walk to the Visitor's Center for lunch and back to the Hidden Parking lot.
Leader: Linda Kennedy

HORSESHOE COVE--SALT POINT NORTH

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Meet at 10:00 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge to carpool and at The Sea Ranch Lodge at 10:15. Park at MM 44.00 at Salt Point. The turnoff is tricky; turnoff at MM44 even though the sign says Turnout 1/4 mile. This hike is quite steep in places so hiking sticks and boots are recommended. Hike on the trail staying right at the fork until you go over the crest of the hill and have a beautiful view of Horseshoe Cove. Descend sharply until you reach the Bluff. Walk south along the bluff until about 11:30 and retrace your steps until we reach a magical rock formation for lunch. The return to the cars after lunch will be uphill, but this is a gorgeous spot so worth the effort.
Leader: Harmony
NOTE: We ended up walking down the steepest part first and doing the beginning part of the loop at the end which made for an easier ascent. We will do this again in the future I believe.

DEL MAR CENTER TO CHAPEL

All photos by Bob Rutemoeller

Meet at 9:45 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge to carpool or at the Del Mar Center at 10:00. Hang tags are needed for non Sea Ranchers. Walk on Leeward southeast, crossing the highway on Deer Trail Road. Take the Azalea Loop Trail to the Chapel Trail to the Chapel. Cross Highway One at Bosuns Reach and take the first loop to the meadow trail.  At Osprey Reach walk east on the road to Leeward Spur and cross the highway again to rejoin the Chapel Trail.  Return via the other Azalea Loop. Anyone wanting a shorter walk can arrange to leave a car at the Chapel. There are elevation changes on this hike so a walking stick might be helpful and some open areas if there is a warm day. Lunch at the end at the "secret place" at the Del Mar School house or the Del Mar garden.
Leader: Steve Coffeysmith

GUALALA POINT PARK #1 July 7, 2016

All Photos by Bob Ruteomeller

Meet at the Hidden Parking Lot at 10:00 (on westside entrance just left after pulling past fee post.) Or park across the street and cross Highway One if you do not have a pass.  Hike to the bluff, go north, and then back to the Visitors Center, walking occasionally on the road, but mostly on trails. After a brief stop on the benches to look at the view of the river, we will take the trail down to the river and under the highway to the campground. From there we will walk through the forest and down to the Gualala River for lunch. After lunch we will walk back to the cars via the road to the campground. This hike has more bathroom possibilities than any we do, but it also has the ocean, the Magic Forest (hopefully not logged),  the Gualala River, and sometimes Leopard Lilies this time of the year.
Leaders: Mary Sue Ittner & Bob Rutemoeller