SALT POINT LOOP #2

 

Carpool at 9:30 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge. Park at the call box parking area one-half mile south of Stump Beach on the east side of HWY 1 (south of MM 41.00). Take trail going south on east side of the highway up to the first fork. Take the left trail toward the Prairie, going up the hill, then stay right at each fork until coming out at the park entrance. Cross the highway and take the trail toward Gerstle Cove. Hike up the gravel road, pass the Information Center and go onto the headlands. Hike north on the bluff all the way to a rock outcropping in line with the call box on the highway, then continue for another few minutes toward Stump Beach. We will have lunch seated on some wonderful rock ledges, watch the crashing surf and see the salt pockets after which Salt Point was named. Walking sticks are a good idea! After lunch take the meadow trail back to the cars. Dogs are not allowed on the Salt Point trails.
Leader: Joel

Photo Credit: Laura 

BLACKPOINT BEACH WALK & BLACKPOINT-BIHLER POINT WILDFLOWER FOOTPATHS

 

Carpool at the Gualala Business Directory pullout just north of the bridge at 9:45, and meet at the Black Point Beach Coastal Access parking area at 10:00 (there are not many spots at this parking area so please carpool). Walk north from the parking lot to the fire road. Turn left, then right to marker 1. If the tide is low enough, go down the stairs and walk on the beach to the north end, returning to the stairs (Note: The stairs are steep!). From marker 1, walk south to the first gate marked with the wildflower path marker and follow the path to Black Point, the barn, and Bihler Point. Continue on the marked path toward the Lodge, past the old sheepherder’s cabin, and turn left on the main trail. Follow the Bluff Trail from marker 1 to 3, turn right and continue through the hedgerow to marker 3C, then right on Moonraker to the fire road gate at Black Point Reach. At the end of the fire trail we will go to either the barn or the Lodge chair area for our lunches. 
Leader: Laura

Photo Credit: Laura 

STORNETTA LANDS OCEAN VIEWS NORTH

 

Meet at 9:30 at pullout for Gualala business directory and at meet at 9:40 at Anchor Bay (West side of Hwy 1) to carpool and park in front of the Lighthouse north of Point Arena. The walk begins at 10:00 by going through the gate and hiking through the pasture, following the Gualala river downstream. We will then follow the bluffs to the south/west and hopefully have lunch at the gazebo near the lighthouse. The views should be lovely (this hike can be windy). Note the ground may be uneven due to cow walking/grazing so sticks are recommended.
Leaders: Jeff & Lena

Photo Credit: Laura & Joel 

MILL BEND

 

The hike begins at 10:00 a.m. at the gate and entrance to Redwood Coast Land Conservancy's Mill Bend Preserve. From Highway 1, on the south end of Gualala, turn onto Old State Hwy (AKA as Old Stage Rd.). Drive approximately 400 feet and take the first right onto a gravel roadway, drive up the hill a short distance and park by the gate. We’ll walk to the Mill Bend house (where folks can leave their lunches) then take the Toyon Trail followed by the River Rail Trail and Sponge Forest Trail. We’ll walk back to the house and eat lunch at the picnic tables. Folks will also have an opportunity to roam around the restored, historic Gualala Cemetery.
Leaders: John & Lynn

Photo Credit: Laura 

ALDER CREEK-MANCHESTER BEACH

Meet at 9:20 at pullout for Gualala business directory and at Anchor Bay (west side of Hwy 1) at 9:30. The hike starts at the shoulder of Highway one (on the east side) just before Alder Creek Beach Road at 10:00. We will walk a short distance south along Highway 1 to the entrance gate across from Pacific View Drive. At the start of the walk there is tall grass.  So be sure to wear long pants to help keep the ticks away. We will walk west on the trail past the old red house and down the hill with beautiful views of the ocean.  Then we will head north at the environmental camps and up to the trail for some of the best wildflower displays.  We should see our coastal California Poppies, Baby Blue Eyes, Buttercups, Douglas Irises, Sea Thrift, Lupin and more all in bloom at once. We will continue up past the "once beautiful home," to where we turn off to get views of Alder Creek and the coast beyond.  That is where we should see both yellow, orange and red PaintBrush and lots of Douglas Irises. We will have our lunch there.  We will then walk back to our cars along the old Alder Creek Beach Road, where we will add Bush Lupine and Ceanothus to our list of plants in bloom. It should be a lovely spring time ramble.  And, if we are really lucky we will see some happy California Cows.
Leader: Susan

Photo Credit: Laura 

SALT POINT BLUFFS/SLEEPING LION

 

Carpool at the pullout for Gualala business directory at 9:30 and at the Black Point Beach Coastal Access parking area 9:45. Start at 10:00 at Salt Point State Park. Hike past the Visitor's Center and walk to the South Gerstle Cove Picnic Area. From here we will follow the bluff as closely as possible. The rock formations and views from the bluff are outstanding and at this time of the year there are often fireworks waves. The paths are rough and eroded in places and walking sticks and boots are recommended. Our leaders will point out a "sleeping lion" rock formation. We will turn around at some point and return to the picnic area for lunch. Dogs are not allowed on the Salt Point trails. This hike can be wet and muddy and have an unpassable stream during the rainy season.
Leader: Joel

Photo Credit: Laura