FORT ROSS BLUFFS AND COVE

 

Carpool at 9:15 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge, and at the Black Point Beach Coastal Access parking area at 9:30 or meet at Fort Ross State Park at 10:00. There is a charge of $8 per car for parking, $7 for the senior rate (62 and older.)  People who have passes should bring them. We will walk by the windmill and then down to the road, turning south and taking the trail to Fort Ross Cove. Returning to the road we will continue to walk south and take the trail to Sandy Cove and walk from there along the bluff to Reef Campground before retracing our steps. Depending on how long this takes we may go to the graveyard and back. Lunch afterwards at Sandy Cove, the Call House picnic tables or in the Fort. Dogs aren’t allowed on most of the Fort Ross trails.
Leaders: Mary Sue and Bob

Photo Credit: Laura & Bob

FORT ROSS ROAD WILDFLOWER HIKE

 

Carpool at the Gualala Business Directory pullout just north of bridge at 9:00. Start at 10:00 at Meyers Grade Rd. and Fort Ross Rd. We will shuttle a few cars to leave at Bohan Dillon Road. Walk down to Bohan Dillon Road on Fort Ross Road (about 625 ft elevation change) and continue past it to the Niestrath Rd. junction and return to Bohan Dillon Road. Some people may choose to continue walking back up the hill while others drive to the top to get the cars left there. After we have everyone again in their vehicles, we will drive to the Fort Ross Orchard where we will have our lunch with hopefully spectacular views. This is a bit farther hike than usual, but when we went there in 2016 there were wonderful flowers.  
Leader: Mary Sue Ittner

photo credit: Mary Sue and Dale

mileage: 3.7

FORT ROSS GRASSLANDS AND COVE

Carpool at 9:15 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge or meet at Fort Ross State Park at 10:00. There is a charge of $10 per car for parking, $9 for the senior rate (62 and older.) We will first walk north along the bluff exploring this undeveloped part of the park with lovely ocean views and then turn around and walk to the Fort. Most of this is grassland, but because of the wind most of the vegetation is not very tall except in a few places. Although the elevation changes are minimal, the ground is very uneven and the trails are not always visible so wearing good shoes is recommended. We'll turn around at some point and continue walking back to where we started. After we have everyone again in their vehicles, we will drive to the Fort Ross Orchard where we will have our lunch with hopefully spectacular views. Dogs aren’t allowed on most of the Fort Ross trails. 

Leaders: Mary Sue Ittner and Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob R

FORT ROSS GRASSLANDS

Carpool at 9:15 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge or at the Stengel Beach Coastal Access parking area at 9:25 or meet at Fort Ross State Park at 10:00. There is a charge of $8 per car for parking, $7 for the senior rate (62 and older.)  We will walk by the windmill and then down the road until we reach a gate and then walk north along the bluff exploring this undeveloped part of the park with lovely ocean views. Most of this is grassland, but because of the wind most of the vegetation is not very tall except in a few places. Although the elevation changes are minimal, the ground is very uneven and there are spots where footing is a bit tricky. Wearing good shoes is recommended. This area is very exposed with no trees so dress accordingly. We'll turn around at some point and continue walking past where we started and by the bush lupine they are hoping to remove. There are many choices for a lunch spot depending on hikers' preferences and the weather.(bluffs, Call House picnic tables, the Fort.)   Dogs aren’t allowed on most of the Fort Ross trails.
Leaders: Mary Sue Ittner and Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob R, Harmony

mileage: 3.4

FORT ROSS BLUFFS AND COVE

Carpool at 9:15 at the pullout for the Gualala business directory north of bridge, at the Stengel Beach Coastal Access parking area at 9:25 or meet at Fort Ross State Park at 10:00. There is a charge of $8 per car for parking, $7 for the senior rate (62 and older.)  People who have passes should bring them. We will walk by the windmill and then down to the road, turning south and taking the trail to Fort Ross Cove. Returning to the road we will continue to walk south and take the trail to Sandy Cove and walk from there along the bluff to Reef Campground before retracing our steps.  After the hike we will then drive to our lunch spot at the picnic tables at the Fort Ross orchard with incredible views. Dogs aren’t allowed on most of the Fort Ross trails.
Leader: Harmony Susalla
Mileage: 4
photos contributed by Bob R & Harmony

FORT ROSS GRASSLANDS AND COVE

Carpool at 9:15 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge, and at The Sea Ranch Lodge at 9:30 or meet at Fort Ross State Park at 10:00. There is a charge of $8 per car for parking, $7 for the senior rate (62 and older.)  We will first walk north along the bluff exploring this undeveloped part of the park with lovely ocean views and then turn around and walk to the Fort. Most of this is grassland, but because of the wind most of the vegetation is not very tall except in a few places. Although the elevation changes are minimal, the ground is very uneven and the trails are not always visible so wearing good shoes is recommended. We'll turn around at some point and continue walking past where we started, deciding on a lunch spot depending on the weather.  Dogs aren’t allowed on most of the Fort Ross trails.
Leaders: Mary Sue Ittner and Bob Rutemoeller
Mileage: 3.8
photos contributed by Bob R. & Harmony