HUGAL RAVINE AND SEA RANCH HISTORY AND POTLUCK

Meet at the Gualala Business Directory north of the bridge at 9:45 to carpool to Linda Kennedy’s house (37677 White Barn - hang tags needed).  Parts of this hike are quite steep up and down (a total elevation gain of 600 feet) so walking sticks are advised. Walk first to the Knipp-Stengel Barn (ca. 1880), then cross the highway to pick up the trail at trail marker 254.  Travel a short way parallel to the highway, then turn uphill, turning right at trail markers 260 and 257. We will hike up the steep but very beautiful and wooded Hugal Ravine trail.  At the top, we will walk over to Rams Head Reach to view the knoll that from the mid-1800s was the heart of the German Rancho that later became the Del Mar Ranch and then Sea Ranch. Walk back up Seabird Road a short distance to Schooner Drive and pick up the White Fir Trail at trail marker 109.  This takes you to the ridge, where you turn right at trail marker 110. This part of the trail recently reopened after adjacent logging operations and the change in habitat is striking.  The trail becomes heavily wooded again after you turn left at trail marker 111 to head back down hill.  We will have beautiful downcoast views as we emerge from the forest to the meadows.  Travel downhill past trail marker 112, to 260, where we will retrace our steps the short distance back to Linda’s house where we will enjoy a potluck lunch. 
Leader: Linda Kennedy
Mileage: 4.2
photos contributed by Bob R.