DMC LOOP #2

Carpool at 9:50 at Gualala Business Sign pullout just north of bridge. Start at 10:00 at Del Mar Center on TSR.  Hike south on Del Mar Meadow Trail to Bluff to Salal Trail, then cross highway to Pomo Trails to Saloon Trail to post 138. Go south to 136 and follow trail by Golf Course and under the highway. Turn left on Tallgrass and walk back to the Del Mar Center. Lunch in the garden. Hang tags needed for non Sea Ranchers.
Leader: Laura Bridge (Sub Steve Coffey-Smith)
Mileage: 5.1
photos contributed by Bob R.

EXPLORING POINT ARENA

 

Meet at 10:20 at pullout for Gualala business directory and at Anchor Bay (west side of Hwy 1) at 10:30 to carpool to Point Arena. The hike starts at Point Arena at 11:00 at Jeff and Lena's (355 School Street). Coming from the north, turn right at first driveway after the rainbow signs. Coming from the south, slow down at 30 mph sign, and then turn left at the brightly painted pyramid. There is an Earth flag at their drive---335 School St. Taking lunches, we will go on trails through their land down to Port Road. There is some very steep, uneven ground - a walking stick would be advisable. We will then go up Blufftop Road and walk to the end, overlooking the port...a new point of view. Back down Blufftop and walk down Port Road to the pier. We will go back to cross a tiny stream (usually log or stones available) and eat at Hillbilly Park, viewing the ocean. We will go back on Port Road to the Village Apartment trail, down to view the community garden, follow to Port Street, up to Highway One. Turning south, go for a tour of Laura and Jeff's Wildflower Boutique Motel, then go up the street for a tour inside the Arena Theater. We will then proceed to the City Park and hike up the hill in the park that leads to Highway One, turn left and walk back to Lena and Jeff's. Some of this may be eliminated, depending on time. Bring apples if you want to feed the three horses.
Leaders: Jeff Gyving & Lena Bullamore
Mileage (longer version): 5.1 miles
photos contributed by Bob R.

MENDOCINO BOTANICAL GARDENS

Meet at 8:20 at pullout for Gualala business directory to carpool and at 8:30 at Anchor Bay (west side of Hwy 1) to carpool to the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, Fort Bragg. This is a LONG drive for us so be forewarned. Hikers north of Anchor Bay should call the leaders ahead of time if you want to be picked up along the way. There is an admission charge for the Gardens unless you are a MCBG member or a member of a reciprocal garden ($15 General, $12 Senior, $10 Mendocino County resident).  Our leaders are members and member's guests are $10 if they come in with a member so it shouldn't be more than $10 a person. This garden includes 47 acres of manicured gardens, diverse plant collections, forests, streams, fern canyons and bluffs. We will walk out to the Cliff House and see spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean along the Coastal Bluff Trail and visit the vegetable garden where a lot of produce is grown and donated to the food bank. Dahlias, heritage roses, heathers, begonias, fuchsias, hydrangeas, perennials are at their peak bloom August-October. Dogs are welcome on leash. Those who want to can eat at Rhody's Cafe where you can get fresh made sandwiches and salads, homemade soup and desserts, coffee, drinks, and Cowlick's ice cream. Please let Mary Sue know by phone or email (msittner@mcn.org) one week in advance if you plan to come and eat at Rhody's so they will be able to accommodate us as Rhody's is very busy this summer. We will order and pay when we arrive and our lunch will be ready to pick up when we are done hiking. You can get an idea of the possibilities by looking at the menu on Facebook. It's also fine to bring your lunch if you prefer. https://www.facebook.com/pg/RhodysGardenCafe/menu/?ref=page_internal
Leaders: Bob & Mary Sue
photos contributed by Mary Sue

MOONRAKER HIKE

Carpool at 10:15 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge or meet at 10:30 at The Sea Ranch Lodge parking lot. From the parking lot, walk to Moonraker Road, turning left and then to marker 3C, Brigantines Reach.  Hike down the hedgerow trail to the Bluff Trail and turn north at marker 3A.  Travel north to marker 7, turning right on to the Sea Meadow Trail. At marker 7C, turn right onto Whaler's Reach, then left on Sea Gate to Navigator's Reach. Turn right and follow the bike trail that parallels Highway One. Turn left at marker 138 to reach the Bluff Trail and have lunch at Pebble Beach. Return to TSR Lodge via the Bluff Trail.
Leader: Linda Kennedy
Mileage: 4.2
photos contributed by: Bob R and Harmony

STONEBORO ROAD TO THE GARCIA RIVER

Meet at 9:50 at the pullout for the Gualala business directory and at 10:00 at Anchor Bay (West side of Hwy 1) to carpool to the west end of Stoneboro road in Manchester and start our hike at 10:30. Enjoy a 15 minute walk on the dunes to the beach, then walk south to the Garcia river, viewing the lighthouse and perhaps whales, pelicans and Canada geese heading north for the winter. We will walk east for a short while along the Garcia and find a suitable lunch site. We will retrace our steps for the return. This walk is entirely on the sand and dogs on leash are allowed.
Leader: Joyce Nugent
Mileage: 3.5
photos contributed by Bob R, Gary B, and Harmony