POINT ARENA PUBLIC LANDS LOOP

 

 

 Meet at 10:00 at the parking area directly across the highway from the entrance to Gualala Point Park 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 north until you reach a road that will lead you to the bluff and spectacular ocean views. Follow the bluff north for a while to catch the spectacular middle section with views of the islands, ocean, and the Lighthouse before turning around and walking south along the bluff towards Arena Cove. 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. We will have lunch at a nice spot on the trail.
Leaders: Lynn & John

Photo Credit: Laura 

PELICAN BLUFF

 

Meet at 9:35 at the parking area directly across the highway from the entrance to Gualala Point Park and carpool at Anchor Bay at 9:45 at the south side of town on west side of highway. The hike will begin at the Pelican Bluff parking lot at 10:00. 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.
Leader: Jack

Photo Credit: Jack 

DOG PARK RAMBLE

 

Carpool at the parking area directly across the highway from the entrance to Gualala Point Park at 9:50. Start at 10:00 at the Dog Park on The Sea Ranch (off of Deer Trail). Hang tags are needed for non Sea Ranchers. We will do a loop which will include both sides of the highway and stop close to the end for lunch at Del Mar Center garden or the “Secret Place” by the school before carefully crossing highway 1 back to our cars.
Leaders: Harmony & Laura

Photo Credit: Laura 

HOT SPOT PICNIC AND HIKE

Meet at 9:35 at the parking area directly across the highway from the entrance to Gualala Point Park and at 9:50 at the end of Verdant View near Sea Ranch Supply. Sea Ranch members please bring along extra hang tags for non Sea Ranchers. Carpool to the Hot Spot and start from there at 10:00. Walk up the Hot Spot Loop Trail to River Beach Road to Deep Woods to East Ridge Rd catching the Ridge Trail from 101 to 102, exiting at Sorcerer Wood and picking up the Spring Meadow Trail at 314 to 316 and then circle the airport (Sea Ridge Rd, trail to Timber Ridge Rd.) Walk down River Beach Road entering the San Andreas Fault Interpretive Trail at post 304 and following it to post 305. Continue on River Beach Road, catching the old road (now closed) to return to the Hot Spot for lunch. Lunches can be left in the car as we'll eat at the end of the hike. Walking sticks advised for this hike.
Leader: Stephen

Photo Credit: Laura 

STORNETTA AND HUCKLEBERRY PICKIN'

 Meet at 9:50 at pullout for Gualala business directory and at 10:00 at Anchor Bay (West side of Hwy 1) to carpool and start at Rollerville Junction 2 miles north of Point Arena at 10:20. Cars can park along highway 1 facing south. We will be hiking a T pattern. Starting down the road (aka Huckleberry Row) to the Loran Station we will first head south to some spectacular rock formations and then retrace back to the Loran Station and this time we will head north for some more great views of the lighthouse (weather permitting) and our coastline. After taking in the views we will return and eat our lunch near the blow holes (or find a spot out of the wind depending on the weather). Eventually we will retrace our way back along "Huckleberry Row" where those who want to may stay and pick huckleberries can and others can return by the road to their cars. Carpools should be done in a way to accommodate pickers and non-pickers. This is a relatively flat hike with only minor elevation change.
Leader: N/A

GUALALA POINT PARK #2

 

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 Hwy 1 if you do not have a pass.) Hike on road going north till reach trail that accesses river bluff. Turn left on that trail and follow it till you reach Visitor Center parking lot. Just after visitor center veer right on grass trail which takes you toward beach. Cross paved path to beach and proceed past restroom to coast. Bear left on bluffs and continue on the Blufftop Trail to the Salal Trail intersection. Either take it back to the cars if not too muddy or turn around and when you reenter County Park turn immediate right on path and proceed to beginning. As you enter the road to the visitor center, follow it a bit toward Highway until you see trail bearing right. Follow it back to Hidden Parking Lot.
Leader: Joel

Photo Credit: Laura 

DMC LOOP #5

 

Carpool at 9:50 at the Gualala business directory just north of bridge or meet at 10:00 at Del Mar Center on TSR. Hang tags needed for parking for non Sea Ranch hikers. Walk south on Leeward until you reach the Walk-On Beach access trail and walk on it to Bluff. Turn north on the Bluff Trail and walk north taking the Salal Trail, turning right on Leeward, right on Grey Whale and picking up the Del Mar Meadow Trail at post 67B and back to Leeward and the Del Mar Center. Lunch in the Del Mar Garden or the Secret Place.
Leader: Laura

Photo Credit: Laura