PELICAN BLUFF (NEW)

Meet at 9:35 at pullout for Gualala business directory and carpool at Anchor Bay at 9:45 south side of town on west side of highway. The hike will begin at the Pelican Bluff parking lot at 10:00. The Mendocino Land Trust has designed a 2.2-mile trail which will begin construction in summer 2017. This 73-acre preserve is home to the endangered Point Arena Mountain Beaver and several rare plants, as well as a creek (which is recovering from cattle grazing) and Bishop pine forest. There are spectacular ocean views from very high white cliffs on the property- these cliffs are very steep, making it essential to stay on the trail. The trail will guide visitors from the parking lot to a grassy field surrounded by trees, a perfect spot for a picnic once we return from the hike. From there, the path will pass through a Bishop pine forest before revealing the dramatic coastal landscape. The trail will continue over a small bridge and down toward the bluff edge, with dramatic sheer, white cliffs plunging to the sea below. This is a great spot to see the peregrine falcons that nest nearby. From there the trail loops back, this time through the wide coastal prairie, before returning to the parking lot. Please note that a different hike may be substituted if the trail is not completed on time.
Leader: Jeff Gyving & Lena Bullamore

FORT ROSS BLUFFS AND COVE (NEW)

Carpool at 9:15 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge, and at The Sea Ranch Lodge at 9:30 or meet at Fort Ross State Park at 10:00. There is a charge of $8 per car for parking, $7 for the senior rate (62 and older.)  People who have passes should bring them. We will walk by the windmill and then down to the road, turning south and taking the trail to Fort Ross Cove. Returning to the road we will continue to walk south and take the trail to Sandy Cove and walk from there along the bluff to Reef Campground before retracing our steps. Depending on how long this takes we may go to the graveyard and back. Lunch afterwards at Sandy Cove, the Call House picnic tables or in the Fort. Dogs aren’t allowed on most of the Fort Ross trails.
Leaders: Mary Sue Ittner and Bob Rutemoeller
Mileage: 3.5
photos contributed by Bob and Harmony

SEA FOREST AND BLUFF TRAILS (NEW)

Carpool at pullout for Gualala business directory just north of bridge at 9:45 and meet at the Sea Ranch Lodge at 10:00. We will take the trail from the parking lot to Moonraker Road and cross highway 1. From there we will enter the new Sea Forest Trail (directly across from trail post 201), which has a creek and a seasonal waterfall.  After admiring the spectacular view of the coast, we will retrace our steps, cross back over highway 1 and head north toward the Moonraker Rec Center. At trail post 3C we will head toward the bluff, turning south at trail post 3. We will return to the lodge via the bluff trail for lunch.
Leader: Laura Bridge
photos contributed by Bob& Wildflower Laura

POMO TRAILS AND SALAL TRAIL

Hike starts at 10:00 from the small parking area east of Highway 1 at mm 58.19. Parking is also available for a fee or with a pass at the Gualala Point County Park across the highway. Pass though gate and walk north on dirt road.   Take trail at post 149, continue past trail post 149 to next trail post which is not numbered and turn right.  At Deer Trail cross to trail post 148. Hike Pomo Hillside Trail to where it ends on Deer Trail, walk south and turn onto trail at post 146 to the right. Follow the Pomo Creek Trail with its scenic loop, cross Screech Owl, continue trail at post 144, then take the first right to reach Halcyon. Walk west, cross highway, and continue on Halcyon to Leeward Rd. Turn left and at next hedgerow take Helm to the bluff trail. Go north and then walk the Salal Trail to Hidden Parking lot for lunch. Walking sticks may be helpful.
Leader: Linda Kennedy
photos contributed by Harmony, Bob and Mary Sue
Mileage: 5.6

POINT ARENA-STORNETTA PUBLIC LANDS BLUFFS

 

Meet at 10:00 at pullout for Gualala business directory and at 10:10 at Anchor Bay (west side of Hwy 1) to carpool and start at Point Arena City Hall at 10:30. Walk the trail next to the cove and then follow the bluffs for spectacular ocean views. Expect to see blow holes, sea arches and stacks, sink holes, caves, tunnels and more. We will walk to the Lighthouse, but before we get there the leader will return the carpool drivers to City Hall to retrieve 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.
Leader: Laura for Mary Heibel
photos contributed by Mary Sue, Bob and Laura Bridge