BLACKPOINT BEACH WALK & BLACKPOINT-BIHLER POINT WILDFLOWER FOOTPATHS

 

Carpool at the Gualala Business Directory pullout just north of the bridge at 9:45, and meet at the Black Point Beach Coastal Access parking area at 10:00 (there are not many spots at this parking area so please carpool). Walk north from the parking lot to the fire road. Turn left, then right to marker 1. If the tide is low enough, 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. 
Leader: Laura

Photo Credit: Laura 

STORNETTA LANDS OCEAN VIEWS NORTH

 

Meet at 9:30 at pullout for Gualala business directory and at meet at 9:40 at Anchor Bay (West side of Hwy 1) to carpool and park in front of the Lighthouse north of Point Arena. The walk begins at 10:00 by going through the gate and hiking through the pasture, following the Gualala river downstream. We will then follow the bluffs to the south/west and hopefully have lunch at the gazebo near the lighthouse. The views should be lovely (this hike can be windy). Note the ground may be uneven due to cow walking/grazing so sticks are recommended.
Leaders: Jeff & Lena

Photo Credit: Laura & Joel 

MILL BEND

 

The hike begins at 10:00 a.m. at the gate and entrance to Redwood Coast Land Conservancy's Mill Bend Preserve. From Highway 1, on the south end of Gualala, turn onto Old State Hwy (AKA as Old Stage Rd.). Drive approximately 400 feet and take the first right onto a gravel roadway, 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 Sponge Forest Trail. We’ll walk back to the house and eat lunch at the picnic tables. Folks will also have an opportunity to roam around the restored, historic Gualala Cemetery.
Leaders: John & Lynn

Photo Credit: Laura 

ALDER CREEK-MANCHESTER BEACH

Meet at 9:20 at pullout for Gualala business directory and at Anchor Bay (west side of Hwy 1) at 9:30. The hike starts at the shoulder of Highway one (on the east side) just before Alder Creek Beach Road at 10:00. We will walk a short distance south along Highway 1 to the entrance gate across from Pacific View Drive. At the start of the walk there is tall grass.  So be sure to wear long pants to help keep the ticks away. We will walk west on the trail past the old red house and down the hill with beautiful views of the ocean.  Then we will head north at the environmental camps and up to the trail for some of the best wildflower displays.  We should see our coastal California Poppies, Baby Blue Eyes, Buttercups, Douglas Irises, Sea Thrift, Lupin and more all in bloom at once. We will continue up past the "once beautiful home," to where we turn off to get views of Alder Creek and the coast beyond.  That is where we should see both yellow, orange and red PaintBrush and lots of Douglas Irises. We will have our lunch there.  We will then walk back to our cars along the old Alder Creek Beach Road, where we will add Bush Lupine and Ceanothus to our list of plants in bloom. It should be a lovely spring time ramble.  And, if we are really lucky we will see some happy California Cows.
Leader: Susan

Photo Credit: Laura 

SALT POINT BLUFFS/SLEEPING LION

 

Carpool at the pullout for Gualala business directory at 9:30 and at the Black Point Beach Coastal Access parking area 9:45. Start at 10:00 at Salt Point State Park. Hike past the Visitor's Center and walk to the South Gerstle Cove Picnic Area. From here we will follow the bluff as closely as possible. The rock formations and views from the bluff are outstanding and at this time of the year there are often fireworks waves. The paths are rough and eroded in places and walking sticks and boots are recommended. Our leaders will point out a "sleeping lion" rock formation. We will turn around at some point and return to the picnic area for lunch. Dogs are not allowed on the Salt Point trails. This hike can be wet and muddy and have an unpassable stream during the rainy season.
Leader: Joel

Photo Credit: Laura 

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, then follow Headlands Reach and turn right onto the bluff trail to the Ohlson Rec Center. Lunch at Ohlson Rec Center. *Hugal Ravine is steep. Please be prepared for elevation change during this hike.

Leader: Laura 

Photo Credit: Laura 

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: Cynthia

Photo Credit: Laura