FORT ROSS BLUFFS AND COVE

 

Carpool at 9:15 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge, and at the Black Point Beach Coastal Access parking area 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 walk by the windmill and then down to the road, turning south and taking the trail to Fort Ross Cove. Returning to the road we will continue to walk south and take the trail to Sandy Cove and walk from there along the bluff to Reef Campground before retracing our steps. Depending on how long this takes we may go to the graveyard and back. Lunch afterwards at Sandy Cove, the Call House picnic tables or in the Fort. Dogs aren’t allowed on most of the Fort Ross trails.
Leaders: Mary Sue and Bob

Photo Credit: Laura & Bob

GUALALA POINT PARK #1

 

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. 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, search for leopard lilies and walk down to the Gualala River for lunch. After lunch we will walk back to the cars via the road to the campground.
Leader: Stephen

Photo Credit: Laura 

STORNETTA PUBLIC LANDS LOOP

 

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 10:30. We will enjoy the gorgeous view of the ocean as we walk along the road toward the lighthouse or the road toward the old Coast Guard Loran site (now owned by Mendocino Community College.) Depending on the weather and the condition of the trails we will do a loop or walking along "huckleberry road" and into the spectacular middle section and return via the lighthouse road. Lunch somewhere along the way.

Photo Credit: Laura 

DMC LOOP #2

 

Carpool at 9:50 at the Gualala business directory just north of bridge. Start at 10:00 at the Del Mar Center on TSR (hang tags needed for non Sea Ranchers). Hike north on Leeward until you reach trail post 55C. Turn right onto the Del Mar Meadow Trail to the Bluff Trail, down the hedgerows and to the Salal Trail. Cross the highway by the entrance to the Regional Park and go through the gates to post 152. Walk up Haversack and make a right on Deer Trail. Turn right on Halcyon and then immediately enter the trail on your left at trail post 141. Walk until you reach a trail on your right that is almost directly across from Cornlily. Turn right at post 138 and go through the tunnel under the highway, turn left on Tallgrass and walk back to the Del Mar Center. Lunch in the garden.

Leader: Laura

Photo Credit: Laura 

BIG RIVER TRAIL AND LUNCH OUT

 

Meet at 9:00 at pullout for Gualala business directory to carpool and at Anchor Bay (west side of Hwy 1) at 9:10. Hikers who live in Point Arena and north who want to join us should contact the leaders so we can arrange other carpool spots. We will drive north on Highway One until just south of the town of Mendocino and turn right after crossing over Big River (about mile marker 50) to access the parking for Big River Trail. We will hike upstream along the gravel path for about an hour and then retrace our steps. We will pass towering redwoods, Douglas firs, historic dams, old railroad trestle pilings, and submerged old-growth timber, sometimes with views of the river. Leashed dogs are allowed and some suggest mosquito protection although we will be moving. Afterwards we will drive to Frankies in Mendocino for lunch. This is a new hike for the Thursday Ramblers.
Leaders: Mary Sue and Bob

Photo Credit: Laura & Bob 

HOT SPOT PICNIC AND HIKE

 

Meet at 9:35 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge and at 9:50 at the end of Verdant View and we can park along the cul-de-sac by the 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 

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 gorgeous ocean views. Follow the bluff north for a while to catch the spectacular middle section with views of the islands, ocean, wildflowers 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 eat lunch back at the picnic tables at City Hall.

Photo Credit: Laura