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

 

KRUSE RHODODENDRON TO STUMP BEACH

 

Carpool at 9:30 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge, or at the Black Point Beach parking area at 9:45. NOTE: THIS IS A SHUTTLE HIKE. 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 required.  After dropping off hikers, 2 people (possibly more cars) should drive to Stump Beach and leave enough cars to hold the number of drivers to be picked up at the end at Stump Beach. Hike will begin from the Kruse parking area. We will hike the short Rhododendron loop while we wait for shuttle drivers to return. We will proceed up the hill towards Plantation via the road. We will take the Stump Beach Trail (on right) down to Stump Beach where we will lunch either at the picnic tables or at the beach. This is a very beautiful area with the first part of the hike mostly up and the second part mostly down. This is Rhodie season so hopefully we will get to see some of the native Rhododendrons in bloom. Dogs are not allowed on the Kruse trails. Shuttle cars will take drivers back to the start and they will have to return to pick up the riders. This hike has definite elevation change and therefore is one of our more strenuous hikes.
Leader: Harmony

Photo Credit: Laura & Bob

GUALALA POINT PARK #3

 

Start at the Hidden Parking Lot at 10:00. You can park on westside entrance just left after pulling past the fee post. If you have a pass, bring it as there is a fee to park in the park. Or park across the street and cross Hwy 1 if you do not have a pass. Hike from there down to the beach but instead of going to the beach go south past the restrooms to the bluff. Bear left on bluffs and continue on Bluff Trail until you intersect the Salal Trail. Hike the Salal Trail to Hwy 1, turn left and follow frontage path back to the Park and the Hidden Parking lot. Lunch at the Hidden Parking lot tables or by the poles.

Photo Credit: Laura 

Manchester Beach

This hike starts from the Lake Davis Wetlands/Environmental Campsite parking lot at 10:30. Just north of the town of Manchester, turn left at Kinney Road, which is signed for Manchester State Beach and the KOA campground. Past the KOA entrance to the right on Kinney Road you will pass a private road and then you will come to a park road on the right that is marked For Authorized Vehicles – ignore that sign and turn in, following around to the left for about 100 feet to a small parking area marked as the trail head for the Davis Lake/Environmental campsite. We will gather there, and then hike an established trail through the coastal scrub and grasslands to the dunes at Manchester State Beach. We will negotiate the Lake Davis wetlands to circle round the environmental campground and hike north behind the dunes to view the spring wildflowers that should be quite profuse. Lunch can be at a picnic table in the environmental campground. If hikers are willing we can take a short beach hike back to rejoin the return trail, or retrace our steps in reverse. 

Hike Leaders: Jeff & Lena 

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: Joel

Photo Credit: Laura