Upcoming Schedule

 Hi Ramblers,

Here is the schedule for our fall hikes. I’m sure we will have some beautiful, crisp days as we get closer to winter.

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.

The current hike schedule (and archives going back to 2009) can always be found at https://thursdayramblers.blogspot.com/. This is the best source for the hikes as occasionally things change from what I send out in this email and the website is always kept updated.

Laura

MONARCH GLEN/WALK-ON BEACH – October 3, 2024
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 Reach. 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 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 the trail through hedgerow at post 37, then turn east, cross Leeward and retrace steps to chapel.
Leader: Laura, 408-306-5321

SALAL TRAIL AND BLUFF – October 10, 2024
Start at Hidden Parking Lot at 10:30 (on westside entrance just left after pulling past fee post.). There is a fee per car. (Or park across the street and cross Hwy 1 if you do not have a pass.) Walk along trail next to Highway to Salal Trail. Hike this beautiful shady trail to the Bluff and south for awhile before turning around and walking north to Gualala Point Park and lunch. We may eat at the picnic tables overlooking the ocean or on the beach. After lunch the leaders will lead us back through Gualala Point Park to our cars. Leader: Stephen, 707-787-0356

CRISPIN LANE – October 17, 2024
Meet at 9:20 at pullout for Gualala business directory and at 9:30 at Anchor Bay (West side of Hwy 1) to carpool. We will drive to Crispin Lane in Manchester, parking at the Manchester Community Center/Garcia Guild (formerly the Grange, or perhaps it is the Grange again!) and walk to the end of this county road. Hike starts at 10:00 a.m. We will pass green fields and have lovely views of the ocean on our way back. This road starts out relatively flat and then goes slowly up so we'll coast on the return trip. Afterwards we will have lunch outside at the Manchester Community Center. NOTE: There are often loose dogs on Crispin Lane so you may not want to bring your dog.
Leader: Jack, 916-220-7653

SALT POINT PRAIRIE – October 24, 2024
Meet at 9:50 at the pullout for the Gualala business directory north of bridge to carpool. Drive to the entrance to Salt Point Park on Sea View Road. Starting at 10:30 walk north on Seaview Road until you intersect Kruse Ranch Road. Descend on it until you reach the entrance to the Plantation Trail (Salt Point). We will follow it down to the Prairie where we will have lunch. There are steep stretches (up and down) so a walking stick and boots are recommended. After lunch we will return (uphill) to the cars. In the fall if we've had rain by this time, this is a good hike to see mushrooms.
Leaders: Bob & Mary Sue, 707-884-4824

GUALALA ROAD TO GREEN IRON BRIDGE AND GAC HIKING TRAILS – October 31, 2024
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: Dona, 775-420-2265

KING RIDGE LOOP – November 7, 2024
Meet at 9:15 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge to carpool. From Skagg's 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.
Leaders: John & Lynn, 707-884-9714

SEA FOREST AND BLUFF TRAILS – November 14, 2024
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

GUALALA POINT PARK #4 – November 21, 2024
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: Jack

NO HIKE November 28 – Happy Thanksgiving!

DMC LOOP #2 - December 5, 2024
Carpool at 9:50 at the Gualala business directory just north of bridge. Start at 10:00 at the Del Mar Center on TSR (hang tags needed for non Sea Ranchers). Hike north on the Del Mar Meadow Trail to the Bluff Trail, down the hedgerows and to the Salal Trail. Cross the highway by the entrance to the Regional Park and go through the gates to post 152. Walk up Haversack and make a right on Deer Trail, catching the trail at post 139. Turn right at post 138 and go through the tunnel under the highway, turn left on Tallgrass and walk back to the Del Mar Center. Lunch in the garden.
Leader: Laura, 408-306-5321

STORNETTA COW TRAIL LOOP – December 12, 2024
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. Please note that the cow path could be uneven walking sticks may be helpful.
Leader: Harmony, 707-734-0773

KRUSE RHODODENDRON STATE RESERVE MUSHROOM HIKE – December 19, 2024
Carpool at 9:45 at the pullout for the Gualala business directory north of bridge, or at the Black Point Beach Coastal Access parking area 10:00. 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 Phillips Gulch Trail and return on the Chinese Gulch Trail.  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 you have either of David Arora's mushroom guide books, bring them.  We will look at mushrooms in general but specifically for oyster mushrooms.  Boots and hiking sticks are recommended.  Light rain does not cancel this hike.  Lunch will be on some friendly logs near our starting place. Dogs are not allowed on the Kruse trails. The route of the hike may be altered during the hike depending on time.
Leader: Joel, 707-485-4339

NO HIKE December 26 – Happy Day After Christmas!