KRUSE RANCH ROAD TO PLANTATION

all photos by Mary Sue Ittner

Carpool at 10:00 at pullout for the Gualala business directory north of bridge, or at the Sea Ranch Lodge at 10:15. Shortly after entering Salt Point State Park, drivers from the north should prepare to turn left on Kruse Ranch Road and drive to the official parking area for Kruse Reserve.  Hike will begin from the Kruse parking area at 10:30. We will hike up the gravel road all the way to Plantation. The ascent is gradual, but the gravel large and often sharp, so sturdy shoes are recommended. In the late nineteenth century, Plantation was an important destination for travelers from San Francisco on their way to Gualala. Now there is a summer camp at our destination. We will eat lunch on the porch and steps next to the museum. After lunch it is all downhill. The views are spectacular. We will have views into deep forested canyons. This hike is a bit longer than our regular hikes, about five miles, but the rewards are great.
Leader: Jim Suhr

OHLSON RANCH TO BLUFF

Carpool at 10:45 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge. Start at the Ohlson Ranch parking area at 11:00 (just south of the white barn). Hang tags needed. Hike to the Bluff Trail at post 21 and head north for lunch at One-Eyed Jacks. Retrace steps stopping for cormorant viewing at the overlook near post #31, taking Cormorant close and walking through hedge row to Breaker Meadow Trail. Take it back to the barn and the Ohlson Center.
Leader: Theresa Yuen

BIG TREE AND WHITE FIR TRAILS

Carpool at pullout for Gualala business directory just north of bridge at 9:45. Start at Big Tree Close and Timber Ridge Road at hike marker 122 at 10 a.m. Please bring hang tags for non Sea Ranchers. Pass marker 116.  At marker 111 take left fork.  Follow trail to marker 104 which ends at Longmeadow. Go through gate and turn right back onto a forest path.  Continue on this trail, past the Sag Pond.  The path eventually joins the main trail again at marker 110.  Continue back along trail until marker 117. Walk west to marker 118. We will loop down to post 267 and the bench (with a great view) for lunch continuing back up the Big Tree Loop to marker 120 after lunch. Afterwards follow the upper portion of the Big Tree Loop Trail to marker 120. Exit at 123 at Big Tree Close and return to parking area on Timber Ridge.
Leaders:  Dave and Diana Bower

HARRIS RANCH ROAD AND FROG SONG GARDEN

Carpool at pullout for Gualala business directory just north of the bridge at 9:30 or at Bower Park at 9:40. We will meet at Bill Clement's house at 10:00. He will lead us on a walk on the road that borders his property and perhaps on his property as well. Afterwards we will drive to Frog Song Garden, Sandy Scott's amazing garden for a tour. You can read more about her and her garden here:
http://www.gualalaarts.org/Events/2010-07GardenGuildLuncheon.html
Afterwards we will eat our lunches. Sandy's garden has been featured in the Garden Conservancy Open Days and she has also created a lovely small area for her grandchildren out of recycled materials that is fun to see. There will be a lot of inviting places in her garden where we can eat our lunches.
Leader: Bill Clement