Here is the schedule for our fall hikes. I’m sure we will have some beautiful, crisp days as we get closer to winter. We do have one hike (King Ridge Loop on November 19) that doesn't have a leader - please let me know if you'd like to take this one.
Remember – if it’s raining the day of the hike, we do not officially cancel the hike but the leader isn’t required to show up. Those that do want to hike should meet at the posted starting point and can either do the scheduled hike or pick something else.
I am going on vacation starting tomorrow and will be back on October 12. Since we don’t have leaders for the September 24 or the October 1 hikes, I’m going to cancel them.
I have been having trouble with the website and have not been able to post photos of our Rambles and also can’t put up this new schedule (or note that the posted September 24 hike will not be happening). Please hang on to this email and hopefully when I get back I can figure out what the problem is.
Laura
NO HIKES – September 24 and October 1, 2026
GUALALA POINT PARK #4 – October 8, 2026
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: Cynthia, 925-683-3089
PELICAN BLUFF – October 15, 2026
Meet at 10:00 at the pullout for the Gualala business directory and carpool at Anchor Bay at 10:15 at the south side of town on west side of highway. The hike will begin at the Pelican Bluff parking lot at 10:30. 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: Jeff & Lena, 707-882-2498
SEA FOREST AND BLUFF TRAILS – October 22, 2026
Carpool at pullout for Gualala business directory just north of bridge at 9:45 and meet at the Black Point Beach Coastal Access parking area at 10:00. We will take the trail from the parking lot to Moonraker Road and cross highway 1. From there we will take an immediate right at trail post 220 and enter the Sea Forest Trail, which has a creek and a seasonal waterfall. Take the trail to post 219 to the bench at the end of the trail and admire 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 parking lot via the bluff trail and will find a suitable spot for lunch.
Leader: Stephen, 707-787-0356
STUMP BEACH & GERSTLE COVE – October 29, 2026
Meet at 9:30 at pullout for Gualala business directory to carpool to the Stump Beach parking area. We will start the hike at approx. 10:00. We will follow the trail down to Stump 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 pass through the Gerstle Cove camping grounds, cross Highway 1, and walk through forested land. We will cross Highway 1 again and walk the shoulder of the highway until we turn off to return to Stump Beach where we will have our lunch and then return to the cars. This hike is slightly longer and has a bit more elevation change than our usual hikes. The bluff part of this hike is relatively flat but the trail down and up from the beach and the trail on the east side of the highway are steep and walking sticks are recommended. Dogs are not allowed on the Salt Point trails.
Leader: Joel, 707-485-4339
POINT ARENA-STORNETTA PUBLIC LANDS BLUFFS - November 5, 2026
Meet at 10:00 at the pullout for the 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, and 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.
Leaders: Jeff & Lena, 707-882-2498
GUALALA ROAD TO GREEN IRON BRIDGE AND GAC HIKING TRAILS – November 12, 2026
Meet at 10:00 in back part of the Gualala Arts parking lot. We will walk one of the new 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 art shows inside. There are some mild elevation changes on this sometimes shady road that follows the Gualala River.
Leader: Stephen, 707-787-0356
KING RIDGE LOOP – November 19, 2026
Meet at 9:15 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge to carpool. From Skaggs Spring Road turn on Tin Barn Road and drive to King Ridge Road and park. Hike King Ridge two miles (up) and return. This stretch is very beautiful in winter with mist, oak trees, and nice views. There is plenty of up and down on this hike. We will eat at an old cemetery.
Leader: TBD
NO HIKE November 26 – Happy Thanksgiving!
DEL MAR WANDERING - December 3, 2026
Meet at 9:45 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge to carpool or at the Del Mar Center at 10:00. Hang tags are needed for non Sea Ranchers. Go North on Leeward to Tall Grass, then take the trail that parallels Tall Grass to post 138A. Turn left on the cart path to the edge of the golf course and follow the trail down to Leeward. Take the trail through the hedgerow alongside Helm to Del Mar Point. Turn right on Del Mar Point to post 60C then take the Del Mar Meadow trail north to the intersection with the Bluff Trail at post 63. Go a few steps north on the Bluff Trail, turn right onto the Fish Rock hedgerow. Follow this trail to post 64B and turn left on Grey Whale at post 67B. Follow down to the Bluff Trail at post 67 and make a left on the Bluff Trail and continue south to post 49. Turn left to post 49A, then up Tide Pool and Seadrift to Leeward Road. Go left on Leeward to return to the Del Mar Center for lunch.
Leader: Laura, 408-306-5321
UP AND DOWN SCENIC GUALALA – December 10, 2026
Meet at 9:30 at the Gualala Super parking lot, close to the back side of the old hotel. We can check on the progress of the Community Center rebuild. Also on this walk there are many scenic views. We will see views of the ocean from many different vantage points, interesting and diverse architecture and drought tolerant entry gardens, walk on the Gualala Bluff Trail, walk the signs of the cross at Mary Star of the Sea, climb to the top of the clock tower and see Gualala in a way many of us have not seen it, on foot. This hike is not level, but none of the elevation changes are very long. There isn't a great spot to stop for lunch on this hike, so this is an early hike without lunch.
Leaders: Mary Sue and Bob, 707-884-4824
SALT POINT BLUFFS - December 17, 2026
Carpool at the pullout for Gualala business directory at 10:30 and at The Sea Ranch Lodge parking lot at 10:45. Start at 11:00 at the Gerstle Cove Campground/Salt Point State Park. Turn west at Main Entrance and follow road down to ocean where large parking lot and restrooms are. There may be a $7-$8 charge per car so bring coupons if you have them. Hike the coastal trail along the bluffs starting at left side of parking lot. Continue north until you are at the trail which descends into Stump Beach. At that point turn around and walk back by jeep trail which is inland of coastal trail. The leaders will pick a good spot around noon for sitting, viewing and eating lunch Dogs are not allowed on the Salt Point trails.
Leader: Joel, 707-485-4339
NO HIKE December 24 – Happy Holidays!
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be kind.