STORNETTA LANDS OCEAN VIEWS NORTH

Meet at 10:20 at pullout for Gualala business directory and at meet at 10:30 at Anchor Bay (West side of Hwy 1) to carpool and park in front of the Lighthouse north of Point Arena. The walk begins at 10:50 by following the bluffs to the north/east and following the Garcia River upstream (via the bluffs).  We will lunch on the bluffs overlooking the Garcia River.  We will return via the pasture and through the gate and back on the road to our cars.  The views and wildflowers should be lovely (this hike can be windy).  Note the ground may be uneven due to cow walking/grazing so sticks are recommended.
Leaders: John & Lynn Walton
Mileage: 3.2
photos contributed by Harmony, Mary Sue and Bob

SALT POINT LOOP

Carpool at 9:30 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge, and at The Sea Ranch Lodge at 9:45. Park at the call box parking area one-half mile south of Stump Beach on the east side of HWY 1 (south of MM 41.00). Take trail on east side of the highway taking the first path that veers off to the left. We will do a forest adventure down along a ravine then continue for another few minutes east eventually when the path gets hard to follow we will retrace our steps back to the cars and cross highway 1 through the meadow down to the bluffs. We will walk south and then back north.  Lunch will we will be seated on some wonderful rock ledges, watch the crashing surf and see the salt pockets after which Salt Point was named at Glen's Spot.  After lunch continue on the trail to the Highway and carefully walk back to the cars. Dogs are not allowed on the Salt Point trails. Walking sticks are a good idea. This is potentially a bit longer hike, but it has both forest and bluff and a wonderful lunch spot. If its windy we may do the hike in reverse direction and lunch in the forest.
Leaders: Mary Sue Ittner and Bob Rutemoeller
Mileage: 4.3

CORMORANT-WALK-ON BEACH LOOP AND POTLUCK

Meet at 9:45 at the Gualala Business Directory (north of bridge) and at 10:00 at Steve and Bonnie Coffeysmith’s house, 339 Bluff Reach, corner of Bluff Reach and Cormorant Close. The hike will end with a potluck at Steve and Bonnie’s so please drop your dish off before we go. 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 for a potluck lunch.
Leader: Steve Coffeysmith
Mileage: 4.1
photos contributed by Harmony and Bob

KRUSE RHODODENDRON TO STUMP BEACH (NEW)

Carpool at 9:30 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge, or at The Sea Ranch Lodge at 9:45. NOTE: THIS IS A SHUTTLE HIKE. Shortly after entering Salt Point State Park, drivers from the north should prepare to turn left on Kruse Ranch Road, just before Fisk Mill Cove. There is just a short drive to the official parking area. No fees and no passes required.  After dropping off hikers - 2 (possibly more) cars should drive to Stump Beach and leave enough cars to hold the number of drivers to be picked up at the end at Stump Beach.  Hike will begin from the Kruse parking area. We will hike the short Rhododendron loop while we wait for shuttle drivers to return.  We will proceed up the hill via the Chinese Gulch (or Phillips Gulch) trails continuing up towards Plantation via the road. We will take the Stump Beach Trail (on right) down to Stump Beach where we will lunch either at the picnic tables or at the beach. This is a very beautiful area with the first part of the hike mostly up and the second part mostly down. This is Rhodie season so hopefully we will get to see some of the native Rhododendrons in bloom. Dogs are not allowed on the Kruse trails. Shuttle cars will take drivers back to the start and they will have to return to pick up the riders. This hike has definite elevation change and therefore is one of our more strenuous hikes.
Leaders: Ken & Marian Brown
Mileage: 4.5
photos contributed by Bob, Mary Sue and Harmony