Thursday, September 4, 2025

DOG PARK RAMBLE

 

Carpool at the parking area directly across the highway from the entrance to Gualala Point Park at 9:50. Start at 10:00 at the Dog Park on The Sea Ranch (off of Deer Trail). Hang tags are needed for non Sea Ranchers. We will do a loop which will include both sides of the highway and stop close to the end for lunch at Del Mar Center garden or the “Secret Place” by the school before carefully crossing highway 1 back to our cars.
Leaders: Harmony & Laura
Photo Credit: Laura 

Thursday, August 28, 2025

HOT SPOT PICNIC AND HIKE

Meet at 9:35 at the parking area directly across the highway from the entrance to Gualala Point Park and at 9:50 at the end of Verdant View near 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 

Thursday, August 21, 2025

STORNETTA AND HUCKLEBERRY PICKIN'

 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 10:20. Cars can park along highway 1 facing south. We will be hiking a T pattern. Starting down the road (aka Huckleberry Row) to the Loran Station we will first head south to some spectacular rock formations and then retrace back to the Loran Station and this time we will head north for some more great views of the lighthouse (weather permitting) and our coastline. After taking in the views we will return and eat our lunch near the blow holes (or find a spot out of the wind depending on the weather). Eventually we will retrace our way back along "Huckleberry Row" where those who want to may stay and pick huckleberries can and others can return by the road to their cars. Carpools should be done in a way to accommodate pickers and non-pickers. This is a relatively flat hike with only minor elevation change.
Leader: N/A

Thursday, August 14, 2025

GUALALA POINT PARK #2

 

Start at Hidden Parking Lot at 10:00 (on westside entrance just left after pulling past fee post- there is a fee per car. (Or park across the street and cross Hwy 1 if you do not have a pass.) Hike on road going north till reach trail that accesses river bluff. Turn left on that trail and follow it till you reach Visitor Center parking lot. Just after visitor center veer right on grass trail which takes you toward beach. Cross paved path to beach and proceed past restroom to coast. Bear left on bluffs and continue on the Blufftop Trail to the Salal Trail intersection. Either take it back to the cars if not too muddy or turn around and when you reenter County Park turn immediate right on path and proceed to beginning. As you enter the road to the visitor center, follow it a bit toward Highway until you see trail bearing right. Follow it back to Hidden Parking Lot.
Leader: Joel
Photo Credit: Laura 

Thursday, August 7, 2025

DMC LOOP #5

 

Carpool at 9:50 at the Gualala business directory just north of bridge or meet at 10:00 at Del Mar Center on TSR. Hang tags needed for parking for non Sea Ranch hikers. Walk south on Leeward until you reach the Walk-On Beach access trail and walk on it to Bluff. Turn north on the Bluff Trail and walk north taking the Salal Trail, turning right on Leeward, right on Grey Whale and picking up the Del Mar Meadow Trail at post 67B and back to Leeward and the Del Mar Center. Lunch in the Del Mar Garden or the Secret Place.
Leader: Laura
Photo Credit: Laura 

Thursday, July 31, 2025

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: Dona
Photo Credit: Laura 

Thursday, July 24, 2025

STORNETTA - HWY 1 TO CYPRESS ABBEY SECTION

 

Meet at 10:30 at the pullout for the Gualala business directory and at 10:40 at Anchor Bay (West side of Hwy 1) to carpool and start at the junction of Lighthouse Road and Hwy 1, 2 miles north of Point Arena at 11:00. We will travel the access road to the old Coast Guard Loran site (now owned by Mendocino Community College) turning left before we get there to enter that middle section of the Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands. From there we will walk through the "forest" to the bluff and enjoy the spectacular views of the off shore islands and the Ocean and find a suitable site for lunch before retracting our steps.
Photo Credit: Laura 

Thursday, July 17, 2025

SALT POINT BLUFFS/SLEEPING LION

Carpool at the pullout for Gualala business directory at 9:30 and at the Black Point Beach Coastal Access parking area 9:45. Start at 10:00 at Salt Point State Park. Hike past the Visitor's Center and walk to the South Gerstle Cove Picnic Area. From here we will follow the bluff as closely as possible. The rock formations and views from the bluff are outstanding and at this time of the year there are often fireworks waves. The paths are rough and eroded in places and walking sticks and boots are recommended. Our leaders will point out a "sleeping lion" rock formation. We will turn around at some point and return to the picnic area for lunch. Dogs are not allowed on the Salt Point trails.
Leader: Joel

Thursday, July 10, 2025

GUALALA POINT PARK BLUFF AND LOOP

Start at the Hidden Parking Lot at 10:00 (on west side entrance just left after pulling past fee post). There is a fee per car. (Or park across the street and cross Hwy 1 if you do not have a pass.) Walk through the Serge Poles and then cross the road to the bench overlooking the Gualala River. Take the trail from there that leads to the Visitor Center and from there the northernmost trail to the bluff. Hike to Whale Watch Point for the view and then hike to the bluff, turn south and walk along the Bluff Trail past Salal Cove. Between post 64 and 63 turn left walking through the hedge row and on Fish Rock Road to Leeward. Turn left on Leeward and walk until you intersect the Salal Trail. Turn right following it back to the highway and the Hidden Parking Lot. Lunch at the picnic tables at the end.
Leader: Jack
Photo Credit: Laura