MOAT CREEK #3

 Meet at 9:35 at the pullout for the Gualala business directory and carpool at Anchor Bay at 9:45 south side of town on west side of highway. Start at Moat Creek at MM 12.77 on way to Pt. Arena at 10:00. Hike the bluff south to Bowling Ball Beach. Walk south on the beach to Schooner's Gulch and then return via beach and bluff to Moat Creek for lunch. The hike is mostly level, but there are 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. There are often nice wildflowers this time of the year along the bluff and Schooner's Gulch at a low tide is a sight to behold.
Leader: Joel Chaban, 707-485-4339
Photo Credit: Laura & Dave

HUGAL RAVINE-LONG MEADOW LOOP

 

Carpool at 9:45 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge or meet at 10:00 at Ohlson Rec Center (just south of the white barn). Hang tags needed. Cross the highway to post 254A and take the Hugal RavineTrail* to Seabird Road. Pick up the trails again at the end of Schooner Dr. (post 109) and follow the Sag Ponds Trail to Ridge Trail via post 104, then right at post 103 to Sorcerer Wood at post 102. Pick up the trails again at post 314. Turn left at post 240 and take Long Meadow Trail down to Highway 1. Cross Highway 1 and take the bike and foot trails to Ohlson Rec Center. NOTE: If weather or mud is a problem the leader may reroute us onto more roads and fewer trails. Lunch at Ohlson Rec Center. *Hugal Ravine is steep. Please be prepared for elevation change during this hike.
Leader: Laura Bridge, 408-306-5321

Photo Credit: Laura

GARCIA RIVER ROAD

 

It was overcast, cold, and very windy at the scheduled starting point close to the Lighthouse and the four hikers decided to change the location. We drove up Riverside Drive, parking at the top of Garcia River Road  (aka Buckridge Road) and carpooled from there to the bottom and walked the road up for about a mile and then back, skipping lunch. We were out of the wind, the sun came out and we enjoyed this beautiful forested road with lots of wonderful flowers.
Leaders: Mary Heibel, Bob & Mary Sue

Photo Credit: Bob & Mary Sue

GUALALA REGIONAL PARK NORTH SEA RANCH LOOP

 

Start at Hidden Parking Lot at 10:00 (on west side 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.) Cross the highway and pick up the Badger Trail. Take the Badger Trail and hike the Pomo Hillside Trail to Deer Trail. Turn left on Deer Trail (post 147) enter the Pomo Creek Trail at post 146. Exit the trail at post 142, 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. Turn right and walk along the trail until you pass post 67, then take the Salal trail back to Gualala Point Park. We will have lunch at the picnic tables at the end.
Leader: None

Photo Credit: Laura & Dave

MILL BEND

The hike begins at 10:30 a.m. at the gate and entrance to Mill Bend. From Highway 1 on the south end of Gualala, turn onto Old State Hwy. Drive about 1/8 mile and take the first right onto a gravel driveway, 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 the newly extended Sponge Forest Trail. We’ll walk back to the house, roam around the restored Gualala Cemetery and eat lunch at the picnic tables.  
Leaders: Lynn & John Walton, 707-884-9714

Photo Credit: Laura & Dave

KRUSE RHODODENDRON STATE RESERVE

 

Carpool at 9:45 at the pullout for the Gualala business directory north of bridge. 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 are required. The hike will begin from the Kruse parking area at 10:15. We will hike the short Rhododendron trail connecting with Phillips Gulch Trail and return on the Chinese Gulch Trail. This is only a 2.5 mile hike. 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 the Rhododendrons are still in bloom we will have time to appreciate them and we often see Coralroot orchids and sometimes late flowering Calypso orchids in May. Lunch will be on some friendly logs near our starting place. Dogs are not allowed on the Kruse trails.

Photo Credit: Laura & Dave

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: Mary Sue Ittner, 707-884-4824

Photo Credit: Mary Sue, Bob, Harmony, Beth, Dave, Laura