SALT POINT SURFER MEMORIAL (NEW)

 

Carpool at the pullout for Gualala business directory just north of bridge at 9:30. and start hike from Salt Point at 10am. We need to carpool because there are only a few parking spaces at the destination -- which is a short driveway to a gate on the ocean side of the highway at Salt Point just beyond the 44.0 Mile Marker (going south). You can park on either side of the driveway or on the berm that parallels the shoulder of the highway. Our hike will follow the fire road from the gate to the top of the hill that overlooks the ocean and then proceed down the hill to the bluff trail.  We will go south on the bluff trail to the grave/memorial of a surfer who died near a point that overlooks the ocean and stump beach.  We will retrace our steps going north on the bluff trail to a protected rock outcropping that overlooks the ocean and where we will eat lunch.  After lunch we will backtrack over the hill to our cars.  

Leader: Joel Chaban

 photo credit: Dona

 

GUALALA ROAD TO GREEN IRON BRIDGE & GAC HIKING TRAILS

Meet at 10:00 in the back part of the Gualala Arts parking lot or if the gate is up, park on the road in front of the Arts Center. We will walk one of the GAC trails before hiking along the road down to the green bridge and back. There are some mild elevation changes. We will have lunch at the picnic tables at the Arts Center, and after lunch those interested can view the Winter Wonderland exhibit inside (don’t forget to bring a mask). 

Leader: Harmony

 photo credit: Bob R, Mary Sue and Laura B

CORMORANT, BREAKER MEADOW, OHLSON BEACH, SHELL BEACH LOOP

Meet at 9:45 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of the bridge and at 10:00 at Steve and Bonnie Coffeysmith's house, 339 Bluff Reach, corner of Bluff Reach and Cormorant Reach (right on Breaker Reach, right on Hedgegate, left on Bluff Reach.). Walk left on Cormorant Reach and then left on Cormorant Close to the end of the cul-de-sac and enter the trail to check out the cormorant nesting area at the point. Continue along the bluff trail to Shell Beach and loop back via 33, 33A, and Cormorant Reach. Turn left on Cormorant Close and take marker 30A and follow the hedgerow to marker 30D. Turn right and follow the trail to 26D and continue on Breaker Meadow Trail to 25D. Take the bike trail from 25D to marker 21, passing by Knipp-Stengel Barn. Turn right to Ohlson Beach, then return to 21, turn left and walk along the bluff to marker 24, overlooking Stengel Beach. Follow the bluff trail from 24, 24A, 25 to marker 30 and return to the Coffeysmith’s to enjoy your bag lunch on their deck or inside, out of the elements.  

Leader: Steve Coffeysmith

photo credit: Laura B.

 

Carpool at pullout for Gualala business directory just north of bridge at 10:45. Hike will start at the Ohlson Ranch Parking Lot on The Sea Ranch at 11:00. Hang tags needed so Sea Ranchers please bring your extras. This hike has some fairly steep uphill sections on the first half, and goes downhill on the way back. Cross Hwy 1, opposite Ohlson Ranch and go right through gate, taking trail above the stables, crossing Longmeadow Road. Take trail to Sea Ridge Road, crossing Spring Meadow. Turn left when you hit Annapolis Road then cross Annapolis and go right on Verdant View to Business Center where the Ranch Cafe is located. Lunch should be pre-ordered at 785-4529 or if you wish, you may bring your own lunch. We will return to the Ohlson Center via Annapolis and Sea Ridge Rd., turning left on Pilot’s Reach to trailhead at marker 234. Follow the trail to the highway. Cross Hwy 1 right before marker 235 and onto Navigators Reach. Turn right at trail marker 10A or to return on the bluff trail go a little further to 10B and enter the trail at marker10 and then turn right and follow the bluff trail to the Ohlson Center. 

Leader: Laura Bridge

photo credit: Laura

MANCHESTER STATE BEACH

Meet at 9:50 at pullout for Gualala business directory and at Anchor Bay (west side of Hwy 1) at 10:00. Hike starts at 10:30 a. m. at trailhead for enviromental campground which is located at parking lot off Kenny Rd. on West side of KOA Campgound, Manchester Beach.  To reach this parking lot, take first right after passing KOA Campgound. Dogs are not allowed on this trail. We will walk the trail to the lagoon and then come back along the beach. 

Leaders: John & Lynn Walton

 photo credit: April & Lynn

MONARCH GLEN/WALK-ON BEACH LOOP

Carpool at pullout for Gualala business directory just north of bridge at 10:50. Start at the Sea Ranch chapel, mm 55.66 at 11 am. Hang tags needed for non Sea Ranchers. Carefully cross the highway to Bosuns Close. Enter trail on south side, then take a right onto trail going north. Before entering the hedgerow walk the Monarch Glen loop trail on the right, returning to the previous trail.  Walk through the hedgerow, trail will cross four streets and then turn east onto Leeward Road.  When Meadow trail is too muddy walk Leeward Road all the way from the hedgerow. Take a left on Seal Rock Reach and hike to Walk-On Beach for lunch. Proceed on trail through hedgerow at post 37, then turn east, cross Leeward and retrace steps to chapel.  

Leader: Linda Kennedy

 photo credit: Laura

STUMP BEACH LOOP (changed to GERSTLE COVE BLUFFS)

Meet at 10:00 at the pullout for the Gualala business directory to carpool and start at Stump Beach at the north end of Salt Point at approx. 10:30. We will park at Stump Beach and follow the trail down to the beach, crossing the stream and heading up the other side to the southern bluff tops. We will meander along the bluffs taking in the views and wildlife along the way. We will walk for an hour and then head back the way we came stopping at "Glen's Spectacular Spot" for lunch and then walk back to our cars. The bluff part of this hike is relatively flat but the trail down and up from the beach is steep and walking sticks are recommended. Dogs are not allowed on the Salt Point trails. NOTE: due to stream at Stump Beach being too wide/deep to cross the hike was moved to Gerstle Cove Bluffs)

Leader: Joel Chaban

photo & video credit: Mary Sue, Laura B, and Joel

GUALALA POINT PARK #4

 

Meet at the Hidden Parking Lot at 10:00 (on westside entrance just left after pulling past fee post.) Or park across the street and cross Hwy 1 if you do not have a pass. Walk through the Serge Poles and then cross the road to the bench overlooking the Gualala River. Take the trail from there that leads to the Visitor Center and from there the grass trail to the beach. Walk on the beach, turning around and retracing steps and then hike south pass the restrooms and along the bluff to Gualala Point. Turn around and hike the road back to the Visitors Center where there are picnic tables sheltered from the wind for lunch. Return to the cars after lunch. 

Leader: April Dammann

photo and video credit: Laura B and April

STORNETTA - POINT ARENA PUBLIC LANDS COW TRAIL LOOP (NEW)

Meet at 9:30 at the pullout for the Gualala business directory and at 9:40 at Anchor Bay (West side of Hwy 1) to carpool or at the entrance to Stornetta Public Lands where Lighthouse Road turns right towards the Lighthouse at 10:10. Walk the spectacular bluff toward the old Coast Guard Loran site (now owned by Mendocino Community College) seeing blow holes, sink holes, and the waterfall which will likely be dry or a trickle. We will walk up the paved road past huckleberry avenue turning left and following the cow trail back to the road to the lighthouse and our cars. People who want to stay for lunch can walk out to the bluffs for the lovely view. 

Leader: Harmony 

Mileage: 3.2

Photo credit: Bob R, and Mary Sue