MANCHESTER STATE BEACH AND THOMPSON HEATHER GARDENS

All photos by 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 to the ocean and then go south on the beach and then return. We will drive to the Thompson garden afterwards for lunch. There will be a little beach walking, but there aren't rocks to scramble over and Manchester Beach is very pretty.
Leaders: Mary Sue Ittner and Bob Rutemoeller

FORT ROSS GRASSLANDS AND COVE (New)

Photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Photo credit: Steve Coffey-Smith

Photo credit: Steve Coffey-Smith

Photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Carpool at 9:15 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge, and at The Sea Ranch Lodge at 9:30 or meet at Fort Ross State Park at 10:00. There is a charge of $8 per car for parking, $7 for the senior rate (62 and older.)  People who have passes should bring them. We will first walk north along the bluff exploring this undeveloped part of the park with lovely ocean views and then turn around and walk to the Fort. Most of this is grassland, but because of the wind most of the vegetation is not very tall except in a few places. Although the elevation changes are minimal, the ground is very uneven and the trails are not always visible so wearing good shoes is recommended. When we arrive at the Fort there is a choice. Those people who want to explore the Fort and have lunch at one of the picnic tables in the Fort can do so and the rest of us will walk to the Cove for lunch. Afterwards we'll all meet in the Fort and walk through it and back to the Interpretive Center and return to our cars. Dogs aren’t allowed on most of the Fort Ross trails.
Leaders: Mary Sue Ittner and Bob Rutemoeller

GUALALA POINT PARK - SEA RANCH NORTH

All photos by Bob Rutemoeller

Start at Hidden Parking Lot at 10:00  (on westside entrance just left after pulling past fee post.)   There is a fee per car. (Or park across the street and cross Highway One if you do not have a pass.)  Cross the highway and pick up the new section of the Badger Trail.  Take the Badger Trail and hike the Pomo Hillside Trail to Deer Trail. Turn left (post 147) and walk along the road, turning right on Halcyon and crossing the highway. Turn right on Leeward, left on Fish Rock, taking the trail through the hedge row to the Bluff Trail. Walk north along the trail until you reach the park at post 78. Turn right and walk to the Visitor's Center for lunch and back to the Hidden Parking lot.
Leader: Linda Kennedy

HORSESHOE COVE--SALT POINT NORTH

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Meet at 10:00 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge to carpool and at The Sea Ranch Lodge at 10:15. Park at MM 44.00 at Salt Point. The turnoff is tricky; turnoff at MM44 even though the sign says Turnout 1/4 mile. This hike is quite steep in places so hiking sticks and boots are recommended. Hike on the trail staying right at the fork until you go over the crest of the hill and have a beautiful view of Horseshoe Cove. Descend sharply until you reach the Bluff. Walk south along the bluff until about 11:30 and retrace your steps until we reach a magical rock formation for lunch. The return to the cars after lunch will be uphill, but this is a gorgeous spot so worth the effort.
Leader: Harmony
NOTE: We ended up walking down the steepest part first and doing the beginning part of the loop at the end which made for an easier ascent. We will do this again in the future I believe.

DEL MAR CENTER TO CHAPEL

All photos by Bob Rutemoeller

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. Walk on Leeward southeast, crossing the highway on Deer Trail Road. Take the Azalea Loop Trail to the Chapel Trail to the Chapel. Cross Highway One at Bosuns Reach and take the first loop to the meadow trail.  At Osprey Reach walk east on the road to Leeward Spur and cross the highway again to rejoin the Chapel Trail.  Return via the other Azalea Loop. Anyone wanting a shorter walk can arrange to leave a car at the Chapel. There are elevation changes on this hike so a walking stick might be helpful and some open areas if there is a warm day. Lunch at the end at the "secret place" at the Del Mar School house or the Del Mar garden.
Leader: Steve Coffeysmith

GUALALA POINT PARK #1 July 7, 2016

All Photos by Bob Ruteomeller

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 Highway One if you do not have a pass.  Hike to the bluff, go north, and then back to the Visitors Center, walking occasionally on the road, but mostly on trails. After a brief stop on the benches to look at the view of the river, we will take the trail down to the river and under the highway to the campground. From there we will walk through the forest and down to the Gualala River for lunch. After lunch we will walk back to the cars via the road to the campground. This hike has more bathroom possibilities than any we do, but it also has the ocean, the Magic Forest (hopefully not logged),  the Gualala River, and sometimes Leopard Lilies this time of the year.
Leaders: Mary Sue Ittner & Bob Rutemoeller

HIKE TO THE 'TWO FISH BAKING CO.

Photo Credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Photo Credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Carpool at pullout for Gualala business directory just north of bridge at 10:45. Hike will start at the Ohlson Ranch Parking Lot on The Sea Ranch at 11:00. Hang tags needed. This is a moderate hike, mainly uphill to the Bakery on Verdant View  off Annapolis Road and downhill on the way back. Cross Highway One opposite Ohlson Ranch and go right through gate, taking trail above the stables, crossing Longmeadow Road. Take trail to Sea Ridge Road, then left when you hit Annapolis Road. Cross Annapolis and go right on Verdant View to Business Center where bakery is located. Lunch should be pre-ordered at 785-2443.  There is a choice of delicious sandwiches, pizza or salads. If you wish, you may bring your own lunch. We return to the Ohlson Center  via Annapolis and Sea Ridge Rd., turning left on Pilot’s Reach to trailhead. Follow the trail to the highway. Cross Highway One onto Navigators Reach. Turn right at trail marker and follow to the Ohlson Center.
Leader: Theresa Yuen