KRUSE RHODODENDRON STATE RESERVE

Carpool at 9:45 at the pullout for the Gualala business directory north of bridge, or at the Stengel Beach Coastal Access parking area at 9:50. 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. Hike will begin from the Kruse parking area at 10:15. We will hike the short Rhododendron trail connecting with Phillips Gulch Trail and return on the Chinese Gulch Trail. This is only a 2.5 mile hike. The first part is mostly up and the second part is mostly down (but no steep places). Fortunately, there are level places along the way where we can catch our breath. We will cross eight bridges over flowing creeks. This is a spectacular area. If the Rhododendrons are still in bloom we will have time to appreciate them. Lunch will be on some friendly logs near our starting place. Dogs are not allowed on the Kruse trails. NOTE: The actual hike may vary a bit from the description. 

Leaders: Ken & Marian Brown

 photo credit: April

STORNETTA - HWY 1 TO CYPRESS ABBEY SECTION

Meet at 10:20 at the pullout for the Gualala business directory and at 10:30 at Anchor Bay (West side of Hwy 1) to carpool and start at the junction of Lighthouse Road and Hwy 1, 2 miles north of Point Arena at 11:00. We will travel the access road to the old Coast Guard Loran site (now owned by Mendocino Community College) turning left before we get there to enter that middle section of the Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands. From there we will walk through the "forest" to the bluff and enjoy the spectacular views of the off shore islands and the Ocean and find a suitable site for lunch before retracting our steps. 

Leader: Laura Bridge

 photo credit: Phil

DOG PARK RAMBLE

Carpool at the pullout for the Gualala business directory just north of bridge at 9:50. Start at 10:00 at the Dog Park on TSR (off of Deer Trail). Hang tags are needed for non Sea Ranchers.  We will do a loop which will include both sides of the highway and stop close to the end for lunch at the Del Mar Center garden or the “Secret Place” by the school before carefully crossing highway 1 back to our cars. 

Leader: Steve & Harmony

Mileage: 4.6

photo credit: harmony

 

PELICAN BLUFF

Meet at 9:35 at the pullout for the Gualala business directory and carpool at Anchor Bay at 9:45 at the south side of town on west side of highway. The hike will begin at the Pelican Bluff parking lot at 10:00. Please carpool if at all possible as there is limited parking. The Mendocino Land Trust has designed a 2.2-mile trail and 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. We will start our hike with the trail that goes to the bluff and then South, retracing our steps back to the parking area. After that, we’ll hike the loop that goes North and then down to the bluff, and finish up with the short loop in the center, eating lunch at the picnic tables. 

Leaders: John and Lynn Walton

photo credit: Phil