BOBCAT NEW CONNECTOR

all photos by Mary Sue Ittner

Carpool at pullout for Gualala business directory just north of bridge at 9:45 and meet at the Sea Ranch Lodge at 10:00. We will take the trail from the parking lot to Moonraker Rd and cross highway 1. From there we will enter the Bobcat Trail at post 201 and continue to 203 where we will head out on the new trail which connects Bobcat to Annapolis Rd trails. (NOTE: There is some elevation change. Sticks are recommended.) At post 203A we will cross highway and head to the bluff where we will circle back viewing any flowers we may have missed on Bihler and Black Point in April. Lunch at Black Point Beach or other suitable spot.

Leader: Dard Hunter

SALT POINT LOOP

Photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Carpool at 9:30 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge, and at The Sea Ranch Lodge at 9:45. 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 on east side of the highway. We will do a forest loop and then cross the highway and walk to 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.  There have lunch seated on some wonderful rock ledges, watch the crashing surf and see the salt pockets after which Salt Point was named at Glen's Spot.  After lunch continue on the trail to the Highway and carefully walk back to the cars. Dogs are not allowed on the Salt Point trails. Walking sticks are a good idea. This is potentially a bit longer hike, but it has both forest and bluff and a wonderful lunch spot. If its windy we may do the hike in reverse direction and lunch in the forest.

Leaders: Mary Sue Ittner and Bob Rutemoeller

MILEAGE: 4.9

CHAPEL AND AZALEA TRAILS

Meet at 9:45 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge to carpool or at the Sea Ranch chapel at 10:00. Hang tags needed for non Sea Ranchers. Walk north along the Chapel Trail through meadow, forest and ravine. Return on the Azalea Trail, which leads to the Chapel Trail; follow it south back to the Chapel. There are moderate elevation changes on this hike. Those who want to can use the bench or the rock wall close to the chapel as a place for lunch at the end.
Leader: Steve Coffeysmith

KRUSE RHODODENDRON STATE RESERVE

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Carpool at 9:45 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge, or at The Sea Ranch Lodge at 10:00. 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, but because of our lunch spot people with state parks passes should drive. Hike will begin from the Kruse parking area at 10:15. We will hike the short Rhododendron trail connecting with Phillips Gulch Trail and return on the Chinese Gulch Trail. This is a very beautiful area with the first part of the hike mostly up and the second part mostly down. Afterwards we will hike/drive to Fisk Mill and have lunch on the picnic table donated in memory of Howard Bogert, one of our previous hikers. This is a spectacular area. Dogs are not allowed on the Kruse trails.
Leaders: Ken & Marian Brown
Mileage: approx. 3