KRUSE RANCH ROAD TO PLANTATION

 

Carpool at 9:30 at pullout for the Gualala business directory north of bridge. Shortly after entering Salt Point State Park, drivers from the north should prepare to turn left on Kruse Ranch Road and drive to the official parking area for Kruse Reserve. There are no fees or passes required. Hike will begin from the Kruse parking area at 10:00. We will hike up the gravel road all the way to Plantation. The ascent is gradual, but the gravel large and often sharp, so sturdy shoes are recommended. In the late nineteenth century, Plantation was an important destination for travelers from San Francisco on their way to Gualala. It had the only hotel available. The views are spectacular. We will walk along several gushing creeks, and have views into deep forested canyons. The return trip is all downhill and we will have lunch at Kruse Reserve. This hike is a bit longer than our regular hikes, about five miles, but the rewards are great.
Leader: Dona Dougherty

Photo Credit: Laura & Dona

KRUSE RANCH ROAD TO PLANTATION

 

Carpool at 10:00 at pullout for the Gualala business directory north of bridge, or at the Black Point Beach Coastal Access parking area at 10:15. Shortly after entering Salt Point State Park, drivers from the north should prepare to turn left on Kruse Ranch Road and drive to the official parking area for Kruse Reserve. There are no fees or passes required. Hike will begin from the Kruse parking area at 10:30. We will hike up the gravel road all the way to Plantation. The ascent is gradual, but the gravel large and often sharp, so sturdy shoes are recommended. In the late nineteenth century, Plantation was an important destination for travelers from San Francisco on their way to Gualala. It had the only hotel available. If it can be arranged, we will have our lunch in Bruce Johnson's Osprey Theater at the Plantation Children's Camp. After lunch it is all downhill. The views are spectacular. We will walk along several gushing creeks, and have views into deep forested canyons. This hike is a bit longer than our regular hikes, about five miles, but the rewards are great. 

Leader: Dona Dougherty 

photo credit: Dona & Laura B

 

KRUSE RANCH ROAD TO PLANTATION

Carpool at 9:30 at pullout for the Gualala business directory north of bridge, or at the Stengel Beach Coastal Access parking area at 9:40. Shortly after entering Salt Point State Park, drivers from the north should prepare to turn left on Kruse Ranch Road and drive to the official parking area for Kruse Reserve. There are no fees or passes required. Hike will begin from the Kruse parking area at 10:00. We will hike up the gravel road all the way to Plantation. The ascent is gradual, but the gravel large and often sharp, so sturdy shoes are recommended. In the late nineteenth century, Plantation was an important destination for travelers from San Francisco on their way to Gualala. It had the only hotel available. After lunch it is all downhill and the views are spectacular. We will walk along several gushing creeks, and have views into deep forested canyons. This hike is a bit longer than our regular hikes, about five miles, but the rewards are great.
Leader: Laura Bridge
Mileage: 6.5
photos contributed by:  Mary Sue, Bob R, Phil, and Catherine

KRUSE RANCH ROAD TO PLANTATION

Carpool at 9:30 at pullout for the Gualala business directory north of bridge, or at the Sea Ranch Lodge at 9:45. Shortly after entering Salt Point State Park, drivers from the north should prepare to turn left on Kruse Ranch Road and drive to the official parking area for Kruse Reserve. There are no fees or passes required. Hike will begin from the Kruse parking area at 10:00. We will hike up the gravel road all the way to Plantation. The ascent is gradual, but the gravel large and often sharp, so sturdy shoes are recommended. In the late nineteenth century, Plantation was an important destination for travelers from San Francisco on their way to Gualala. It had the only hotel available. After we check out Plantation, we will retrace our steps back to the Kruse Reserve for lunch. The views are spectacular. We will walk along several gushing creeks, and have views into deep forested canyons. This hike is a bit longer than our regular hikes, about five miles, but the rewards are great.
Leader: Laura Bridge
Mileage: 6 
photos contributed by Bob R, Mary Sue and Harmony

KRUSE RANCH ROAD TO PLANTATION

Carpool at 9:30 at pullout for the Gualala business directory north of bridge, or at the Sea Ranch Lodge at 9:45. Shortly after entering Salt Point State Park, drivers from the north should prepare to turn left on Kruse Ranch Road and drive to the official parking area for Kruse Reserve. There are no fees or passes required. Hike will begin from the Kruse parking area at 10:00. We will hike up the gravel road all the way to Plantation. The ascent is gradual, but the gravel large and often sharp, so sturdy shoes are recommended. In the late nineteenth century, Plantation was an important destination for travelers from San Francisco on their way to Gualala. It had the only hotel available. After we check out Plantation, we will retrace our steps back to the Kruse Reserve for lunch. The views are spectacular. We will walk along several gushing creeks, and have views into deep forested canyons. This hike is a bit longer than our regular hikes, about five miles, but the rewards are great.
Leaders: Mary Sue Ittner and Bob Rutemoeller
Mileage: 5.5
all photos contributed by Bob

KRUSE RANCH ROAD TO PLANTATION

Photo credit: Laura Bridge

Photo credit: Laura Bridge

Photo credit: Steve Coffey-Smith

Photo credit: Laura Bridge

Photo credit: Steve Coffey-Smith

Photo credit: Steve Coffey-Smith

Carpool at 9:30 at pullout for the Gualala business directory north of bridge, or at the Sea Ranch Lodge at 9:45. Shortly after entering Salt Point State Park, drivers from the north should prepare to turn left on Kruse Ranch Road and drive to the official parking area for Kruse Reserve. There are no fees or passes required and primitive toilets are available. Hike will begin from the Kruse parking area at 10:00. We will hike up the gravel road all the way to Plantation. The ascent is gradual, but the gravel large and often sharp, so sturdy shoes are recommended. In the late nineteenth century, Plantation was an important destination for travelers from San Francisco on their way to Gualala. It had the only hotel available. The views are spectacular. We will walk along several gushing creeks, and have views into deep forested canyons. This hike is a bit longer than our regular hikes, about five miles, but the rewards are great. Lunch at the end in the area adjoining the parking.
Leader: Marian and Ken Brown

PLANTATION FOREST

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Meet at 9:15 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge to carpool and at The Sea Ranch Lodge parking lot at 9:30.  We have a wonderful opportunity to visit the Plantation Forest managed by owner Ed Tunheim. He has agreed to give us a tour of this property, which adjoins Plantation Camp. This is a very beautiful property with many surprises and it is fascinating to learn how he plans his harvest so the forest remains healthy and productive, but you can barely tell he is logging. Drive south turning left on Kruse Ranch Road and drive to the top. Turn left on Hauser Bridge Rd and enter through the gate opposite the brightly colored mailbox.
Arranged by Mary Sue Ittner
Mileage: Approx. 3