GUALALA POINT PARK #4

 

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.
Leader: Dona

Photo Credit: Laura

GUALALA ROAD TO GREEN IRON BRIDGE AND GAC HIKING TRAILS

 

Meet at 10:00 in back part of the Gualala Arts parking lot. We will walk one of the GAC trails before hiking along the road down to the green bridge and back.
Leader: Rita

Photo Credit: Laura

HORSESHOE COVE - SALT POINT NORTH

 

Meet at 10:00 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge to carpool and at the Black Point Beach Coastal Access parking area at 10:15. Park at MM 44.00 at Salt Point where we will start the hike at 10:30. 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. Hopefully we will see whales on this hike.

Leader: Joel

Photo Credit: Dona

MOONRAKER HIKE

 

 

 Carpool at 10:45 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge and meet at the Black Point Beach Coastal Access parking area at 11:00 (there are a limited number of spots at this parking area so please carpool). Hike to Moonraker Rd and take trail behind tennis courts. Trail exits on Ramsgate which take to Galleon's Reach. Turn west to Seagate and turn right on it and follow it to the end. Continue on trail at end of Seagate. Turn left to Bluff on public access trail which intersects bluff trail at Pebble Beach. Lunch at Pebble Beach and then back to the cars.
Leader: Cynthia

Photo Credit: Laura

POINT ARENA PUBLIC LANDS LOOP

 

Meet at 9:30 at pullout for Gualala business directory and at 9:40 at Anchor Bay (west side of Hwy 1) to carpool and start at Point Arena City Hall at 10:00. 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.  A suitable lunch spot will be found with a good view before returning to the cars.
Leader: Harmony

Photo Credit: Laura & Mary Sue

GUALALA REGIONAL PARK NORTH SEA RANCH LOOP

 

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.) Cross the highway and pick up 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 along the trail until you pass post 70. Take trail off to right to 70A and Sea Lion. Walk to the end of the road, turn left and walk along Leeward Road to the end, entering the trail at post 76A. Connect to the Bluff Trail again and then walk to the park taking the first right back to the Visitor’s Center and back to the Hidden Parking lot. lunch at the picnic tables at the end.
Leader: Stephen

Photo Credit: Laura

PELICAN BLUFF

 Meet at 9:35 at the pullout for the Gualala business directory 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: Laura