SCENIC VIEWS AND COOKS BEACH

all photos above by Bob Rutemoeller

Carpool at the pullout for Gualala business directory just north of bridge at 10:15 or drive directly to the parking area west of Big Gulch Road (north of Gualala after mm 2.16 where Cal Trans sometimes dumps material) where you will meet the leader. We will start walking at 10:30. We will walk south along the Old State Highway and the route of the old railroad. Turning around close to where the Old Milano used to be, we will retrace our steps and walk along Highway 1 north.  This is a scenic corridor with nice views. We will do a short loop east of the Highway on Glennen for more views of ocean and houses before walking  to Cooks Beach. Cooks Beach is a RCLC project providing public access to a sheltered beach. We will descend to the beach for lunch and then return along Highway One to the cars.
Leaders: Mary Sue Ittner and Bob Rutemoeller

POINT ARENA PUBLIC LANDS LOOP

All photos by Bob Rutemoeller & Mary Sue Ittner

Meet at 9:20 at pullout for Gualala business directory and at 9:30 at Anchor Bay (west side of Hwy 1) to carpool and start at Point Arena City Hall at 10:00.  After entering the public lands, take the trail on your right. Walk north until you reach a road that will lead you to the bluff and spectacular ocean views. Follow the bluff for a while to appreciate the spectacular middle section and then turn around and walk south along the bluff and return with views of Arena Cove.  A suitable lunch spot will be found with a good view before returning to the cars. This is mostly coastal grassland so there isn't much elevation change, but the ground is uneven and there are gopher holes so good hiking shoes are helpful.
Leaders: John & Lynn Walton

CORMORANT-WALK-ON BEACH LOOP

10:00 at Steve and Bonnie Coffeysmith’s house, 339 Bluff Reach, corner of Bluff Reach and Cormorant Close. Walk to marker 30A and follow the hedgerow to marker 30D. Turn left and follow the trail straight through 31C to 33B. Turn right on Pacific Reach and Whalebone, toward Rt. 1. Turn left at marker 34A, left at 35D, and right at 35C. Continue hiking through the meadows to marker 42C, then turn left and walk to 42, overlooking Walk-on Beach. Turn left and follow the Bluff Trail, passing the TSRA Marine Preserve and Dune Drift Beach at marker 38. Hike to marker 37 and follow the sand trail to the cypress hedgerow, turn right and go to Tidepool Beach to look for harbor seals. Continue on the trail, passing Shell Beach and stopping to check out the cormorant nesting area before returning to the Coffeysmith’s to enjoy your bag lunch.
Leader: Steve Coffeysmith