FISH ROCK ROAD/MENDOCINO REDWOODS – March 19, 2020

This hike is on private property and is available only to people who have signed the access permit and release of liability (available from and returned to Mary Sue at least two weeks in advance). Due to Covid-19 we will not carpool.  Meet at 10AM - Take Old Stage Rd. to Fish Rock Rd. turning right to follow the signs to the Mendocino Transfer Station continuing on from there to where the pavement stops where you will meet the leaders.  Starting at 10:00 we will be following logging roads on Mendocino Redwoods property with views of the Garcia River. We will follow and cross several tributaries as we hike along the road until we reach a new big slide and then will retrace our steps. This hike has a fair amount of elevation changes, both up and down, but is a beautiful quiet forested road. The first part of the hike until we reach the first bridge (our lunch spot close to the end) will be meditative. Walking sticks recommended. The hike is about 4.5 miles.
Leaders: Mary Sue Ittner, 884-4824
photos contributed by: Catherine, Mary Sue, Bob R and Phil

MENDOCINO REDWOODS/GARCIA RIVER LOOP (new)

photo credit: Bob Ruteomeller

photo credit: Bob Ruteomeller

photo credit: Bob Ruteomeller

photo credit: Bob Ruteomeller

Carpool at 10:15 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge. Drive to just north of the Voorhee's dirt road off of 10 Mile Road and park on east side of 10 Mile (opposite of the parking for the BIG ROCK hike). We will walk down the logging road to the Garcia River and lunch beside the river. After lunch we will return to the cars via a road through a hunting campground that connects at the top to the Voorhee's road.The first half is all down hill and the second half (after lunch) is pretty much all up hill so be prepared. We will take our time and enjoy this lovely forest and river walk. NOTE: If you are adverse to elevation change we do not recommend coming on this hike.
Leader: Harmony

FISH ROCK ROAD /MENDOCINO REDWOODS

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Add caption

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Gary Levenson-Palmer

Carpool at 10:15 at pullout north of the bridge by the  Gualala business directory. Take Old Stage Rd. to Fish Rock Rd. turning right to follow the signs to the Mendocino County Dump. Park at the foot of the road where the pavement stops where you will meet the leaders.  Starting at 10:30 we will be following logging roads on Mendocino Redwoods property with views of the Garcia River. We will follow and cross several tributaries as we meander along the overgrown logging roads. This hike has some elevation gain and depending on how fast the group is we will be treated to vista views through the trees. Walking sticks recommended. Our exact route each time we have hiked this depends somewhat on changes to the roads as we find them. This is apparently quail hunting season so we are to watch for hunters.
Leaders: Mary Sue Ittner and Bob Rutemoeller

Mystery Hike aka The Big ROCK Loop

This is a new hike on Mendocino Redwoods land. The first area we will be walking is very open so we advise hats, sunscreen, and enough water if this day turns out to be sunny and warm. After some wide flat open logging road with some distant ocean views we will head up hill to see the Big Rock and eat lunch. The assent is steep so walking sticks are recommended. After lunch we will continue the loop this time through shady tunnels of trees to return to our cars. Meet at the pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge at 10:00 a.m. (Next time start should be at 10:30am)
Leader: Harmony Susalla

FISH ROCK ROAD /MENDOCINO REDWOODS

end of the line

colts foot

photo credit: Eric Mills

photo credit: Gary Levenson-Palmer

photo credit: Gary Levenson-Palmer

photo credit: Gary Levenson-Palmer

photo credit: Gary Levenson-Palmer

photo credit: Gary Levenson-Palmer

Meet at 10:00 at pullout for Gualala business directory to carpool. Take Old Stage Rd. to Fish Rock Rd. turning right to follow the signs to the Mendocino County Dump. Park at the foot of the road where the pavement stops where you will meet the leader.  Starting at 10:15 we will be walking on Mendocino Redwoods property.  Please note that you will be asked to sign their release before proceeding onto this private property.  Sometimes the road has changed between hikes so we never know for sure what we will experience. We will follow and cross several tributaries to the Garcia which provide wonderful sites and sounds as we meander along the overgrown logging roads. This hike has some elevation gain and depending on how fast the group is we will be treated to vista views through the trees.  Walking sticks recommended.
Leader: Harmony Susalla

A Berry Good Time

Today's hike was on Mendocino Redwoods property (with permission).

I have never seen so many ripe, delicious thimbleberries in all my life!  In fact I ate too many.... but loved every bite.  It's definitely a banner year for these sweet, delicate treats.

 

Also in abundance on the hike were native black raspberries.  I prefer the thimbleberries but still a treat to eat fruit right from the source.  Also (not pictured) were wild strawberries.  Thank you mother earth!

 It's hard to see in the picture but a small blue butterfly landed on my hand.  Awwwww.  :)

Bill our leader of the day resting during our lunch break.  Great day!

Rainy Day Hikers

 

While I was in LA, the rain came down in Gualala!   Here is Mary Sue's report: Only two hikers and a dog braved this very rainy Thursday and all three got wet. There was a brief break in the rain for the second self photo.