SALT POINT LOOP

Photo Credit: Mary Sue Ittner

Photo Credit: Mary Sue Ittner

Photo Credit: Mary Sue Ittner

Photo Credit: Mary Sue Ittner

Photo Credit: Mary Sue Ittner

Photo Credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Photo Credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Photo Credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Photo Credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Photo Credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Carpool at 9:30 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge, and at The Sea Ranch Lodge at 9:45. 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 on east side of the highway. We will do a forest loop and then cross the highway and walk through the campground to the headlands. Hike north on the bluff all the way admiring the flower display and then continue on the trail in the direction of the highway. Have lunch seated on some wonderful rock ledges, watch the crashing surf and see the salt pockets after which Salt Point was named at Glen's Spot.  After lunch continue on the trail and carefully walk back to the cars. Dogs are not allowed on the Salt Point trails. Walking sticks are a good idea. This is potentially a bit longer hike, but it has both forest and bluff, some of the best wildflower viewing in the area and a wonderful lunch spot. If its windy we may do the hike in reverse direction and lunch in the forest.
Leaders: Mary Sue Ittner and Bob Rutemoeller

MOAT CREEK #3

All photos above by Bob Rutemoeller

Photo Credit: Steve Coffey-Smith

Photo Credit: Steve Coffey-Smith

Meet at 9:30 at pullout for Gualala business directory and at Carpool at Anchor Bay at 9:40 south side of town on west side of highway. Start at Moat Creek at MM 12.77 on way to Pt. Arena at 9:50. Carpooling is important as there may be abalone divers parked at the Moat Creek parking lot.  Hike bluff south to Bowling Ball Beach admiring all you can see on a minus tide and then return via beach and bluff. Mostly level, but two short steep stretches (up one way and down another.) The beach can be rocky and a bit challenging to walk on in a few stretches so hiking sticks are helpful. There are often nice wildflowers this time of the year along the bluff and Bowling Ball Beach at a low tide is a sight to behold. Afterwards we'll drive to Hearn Gulch for lunch. This could be a good year for wildflowers there. The route down to the beach is a little tricky with a rope to hold onto.
Leaders: Mary Sue Ittner and Bob Rutemoeller

SODA SPRINGS RESERVE

All photos by Laura Bridge

Carpool at the pullout for Gualala Business Directory just north of bridge at 9:45 and/or at the Sea Ranch Annapolis Road Business Center at 10:00.  Turn right before you reach the Fire Station. We can park along the cul-de-sac by the building supply. Hang tags needed for non Sea Ranchers who park there to carpool. Park on Kelly Road 1 mile beyond entrance to Annapolis winery and hike to park. Hike on gravel road 2.3 miles to this 49 acre relatively unknown Sonoma County Park known locally as Kelly Park.  From the Parks website: "The park is a perfect place to stop among your travels. Rest or hike under the fragrant shelter of redwood groves, while enjoying the soothing sounds of running water from the adjacent Soda Springs Creek. Amenities include picnic areas, restroom, barbecues, and hiking trails."  Lunch, tour the park, and return.
Leaders: Ken & Marian Brown

BLACKPOINT BEACH WALK & BLACKPOINT-BIHLER POINT WILDFLOWER FOOTPATHS

Carpool at the Gualala Business Directory pullout just north of bridge at 9:45, and meet at the Sea Ranch Lodge north (additional) parking lot at 10:00. Walk north from the parking lot to the fire road. Turn left, then right to marker 1. 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. Note: If it's windy, the leader may modify the plan.
Leader: Laura Bridge

ALDER CREEK - MANCHESTER STATE BEACH

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Meet at 9:05 at pullout for Gualala business directory and at Anchor Bay (west side of Hwy 1) at 9:15. The hike starts at the public access from Highway One on about mile marker 22.27 at 9:45. We will turn in at Alder Creek Beach Road, then turn directly left and park on the road that parallels Highway One. We will walk down the road where it is closed until we come to the trail that leads to the environmental campground hoping to see wildflowers and walk back via the beach if we can (returned via flower trail due to high tide).  We will have lunch afterwards at Beverley Thompson's lovely garden to view spring flowers (Rhododendrons and Azaleas to name a few.)
Leader: Mary Heibel

FORT ROSS ROAD WILDFLOWER HIKE (new)

Photo Credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Photos by Mary Sue Ittner  (unless noted otherwise)

Carpool at the Gualala Business Directory pullout just north of bridge at 9:00, and meet at the Sea Ranch Lodge north (additional) parking lot at 9:15. Start at 10:00 at Meyers Grade Rd. and Fort Ross Rd. We will walk down to Bohan Dillon Road (about 625 ft elevation change) and continue to the Niestrath Rd. junction and perhaps beyond. Final plan for this hike and a decision on whether to shuttle or walk back up the hill and where to have lunch will be made after a current scouting trip. Mary Sue led this hike April 11, 2000 for Hikes4Health and the wildflowers along the bank on the walk down were wonderful.
Leader: Mary Sue Ittner
Mileage reported to be approx. 5 miles