IRISH BEACH POMO LAKE, NEW TRAIL AND FOOTBRIDGE (NEW)

Meet at 9:35 at pullout for Gualala business directory and at Anchor Bay (west side of Hwy 1) at 9:45 to carpool. Drive north to Irish Beach and mile marker 25, turn right on Sea Cypress road to Cypress Circle to park. The hike will start at approximately 10:30. Walk around Irish Beach including going down to the beach and back up, to Pomo Lake to walk on the new improved trail and new foot bridge, then through Irish Beach ending with lunch on Gary and Susan’s deck overlooking the ocean.
Leaders: Gary & Susan Levenson-Palmer
Mileage: 4.6
photos contributed by Bob, April and Harmony

CROSS-SECTION OF SEA RANCH

Carpool at pullout for Gualala business directory just north of bridge at 9:45 and park at the Olson Ranch at 10:00. Cross the highway at the White Barn and walk UP Hugal Ravine (this is the hard part) to Sea Bird and the end of Schooner.  Take left fork at Post 109A joining the Ridge Trail. Walk north to Post 111, where we will turn left on the Cluster Trail and go down by the Clusters at Madrone Meadow and cross the highway again at post 266 catching the trail to the bluff. Turn south. Leader’s choice for lunch spot: Stengel Beach, Ohlson Beach, or one of the picnic tables.
Leader: Theresa Yuen
photos contributed by Mary Sue and Bob

DMC LOOP #4

Carpool at 10:00 am at Gualala Business Sign pullout just north of bridge or meet at 10:15 at the Del Mar Center on TSR. Hangtags needed for non-Sea Ranch hikers. Start from the Del Mar Center by crossing HWY 1 onto Deertrail. At the trail post 132A turn right to access the Azalea Loop Trail, taking one of the loops to trail post 128. Turn right  to take "Leeward Spur Connector". Cross highway to Leeward Spur, left on Leeward Road, right on Osprey to Bluff Trail, then north to post 49, taking trail to Tide Pool, turn right to Sea Drift and left on Leeward Road to cars. Lunch in the Del Mar garden or the Secret Place behind the Del Mar Schoolhouse.
Leader: Adrian Adams
Mileage: 3.7
photos contributed by Harmony and Mary Sue

SOUTH GERSTLE COVE BLUFF -- "THE SLEEPING LION"

Carpool at 9:45 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge and at The Sea Ranch Lodge at 10:00. Drive almost through Salt Point to MM 39.17 where there is a wide area to park on the right side of the road.  At 10:15 cross over to the gate on the east side of the road and follow a path north, parallel with the road. Cross the road at MM 39.4 continuing north until we pass the waterfall (which may be dry in October).  Follow the trail south to the South Gerstle Cove Picnic Area. Restrooms are available there. From here we will follow the bluff as closely as possible until we reach the extreme southern boundary of Salt Point Park. We will return to our cars the same way we came. The rock formations and views from the bluff are outstanding. There are great photo opportunities for camera buffs. Just one warning: the paths are rough and eroded in places, and there are a few steep gulches to cross. The trail is not maintained, and disappears in some places. We will take a very leisurely pace and explore whatever attracts our attention. Be sure to bring walking sticks and be ready to lend a helping hand to your fellow hikers. There are several nice places to sit on the ground overlooking the ocean and have lunch, or we may wait until we return to the picnic area at South Gerstle. Our leader will point out a "sleeping lion" rock formation that is most visible on a sunny day at about 11:30. This hike is mostly level, but with obstacles. Dogs are not allowed on the Salt Point trails.
Leaders: Leaders: Ken & Marian Brown
photos contributed by: Steve, Bob, Mary Sue and Wildflower Laura

MANCHESTER STATE BEACH AND THOMPSON HEATHER GARDENS (NEW)

Meet at 9:05 at pullout for Gualala business directory and at Anchor Bay (west side of Hwy 1) at 9:15. Turn toward the ocean on Kinney Road (mm 21.41) and drive to the end of the road, turning right when it ends and driving to the parking area. Hike starts around 9:45. We will be hiking on the dunes until we can get to the beach, then hiking on the beach. The web site for Manchester State Park advises there can be fog in summer and strong winds year round. On this day there is not a low tide, but there aren't rocks to scramble over and Manchester Beach is very pretty. Dogs are not allowed on state beaches to protect snowy plover nesting. We will drive to the Thompson garden afterwards for lunch.
Leaders: Mary Sue Ittner and Bob Rutemoeller
Mileage: approx. 4.8
photos contributed by Steve, Mary Sue and Bob