SODA SPRINGS RESERVE

Carpool at the pullout for Gualala Business Directory just north of bridge at 9:15 and/or at the Sea Ranch Annapolis Road Business Center at 9:30. Hang tags needed for non Sea Ranchers who park there to carpool. We will drive to Kelly Road and park at Soda Springs Reserve. Note: the last 3 miles are on a dirt road. We will then walk back uphill on that road for less than an hour and then return to the park, explore it and have lunch there. This 49 acre Sonoma County Park since 1994 (and known locally as Kelly Park) has lovely old growth redwoods and a stream running by, plus it's dog friendly with a toilet and picnic tables.  From the Parks website: "The park is a perfect place to stop among your travels. Rest or hike under the fragrant shelter of redwood groves, while enjoying the soothing sounds of running water from the adjacent Soda Springs Creek. Amenities include picnic areas, restroom, barbecues, and hiking trails." This park is not so easy to find as there is only one way to get to it and its not a main road.
Leaders: Mary Sue Ittner and Bob Rutemoeller 
photos contributed by Mary Sue and Bob R.

STILLWATER COVE #3

Carpool at the pullout for Gualala business directory just north of bridge at 9:25 and at Stengel Beach Coastal Access parking area at 9:35. Hikers with County Regional Park passes should drive. Please carpool as parking spaces on the first part are limited. We will first hike the two bluff sections of the trail. Then we will drive to the day use area and park. We will hike through the beautiful forested canyon, cross a small stream, then up along the ridge and then through the Canyon and down to the Cove for lunch. Parts of this hike subject to change depending on the conditions. After lunch we'll return to our cars. Dogs allowed on leash and hiking sticks helpful for a few steep spots and river crossing. This is a cell phone free hike so Annie Mills can join us.
Leaders: Mary Sue Ittner and Bob Rutemoeller
photos contributed by Mary Sue& Bob R.

HOT SPOT PICNIC AND HIKE

Meet at 9:35 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge and at 9:50 at the end of Verdant View near Ranch Cafe. We can park along the cul-de-sac by the building 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: Adrian Adams
Mileage: 4.5 
photos contributed by Mary Sue & Bob R

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

STILLWATER COVE/PEACE OBELISK

All photos by Bob Rutemoeller or Harmony

Carpool at the pullout for Gualala business directory just north of bridge at 9:25 and at The Sea Ranch Lodge parking lot at 9:40. Hikers with County Regional Park passes should drive. We will be hiking in three distinct areas. First we'll hike the interesting bluff section of Stillwater Cove and then return back to our cars. We will drive then to the day use area and park.  We will hike a beautiful forested loop, crossing a small stream, and perhaps seeing fringed corn lilies in bloom. After returning to our cars, we will drive south to the Timber Cove Inn where we will hike their trails, including a visit to the smallest state park in California, the 93-foot-high "Peace Obelisk" sculpture by the late Benjamino Bufano, a renowned San Francisco sculptor. The hike will conclude with lunch at Alexanders. They have a new chef so the menu on their web site as I send this out could change.

https://timbercoveinn.com/images/uploads/Lounge_Menu.pdf

Leaders: Mary Sue Ittner and Bob Rutemoeller
NOTE: Due to road construction delays lunch was eaten before touring the state park property and land around the Timber Cove Inn.

FORT ROSS STATE PARK TO OLD GROWTH REDWOOD TREE

All photos by Bob Rutemoeller

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. We will walk to the Cove and take the trail to the Russian graveyard. Carefully cross the highway from there and take the fire road up the hill for a up close look at one of the few remaining old growth redwoods in the area. Here you will be treated to some life lessons you can learn from a Redwood. We will then have a nice view at the water tanks and then on to the Archaeological Camp. Walking between the last two cabins and looking through the hole in the fence you can see the fault line and where the creek dropped in the big earthquake. Return as you came, having lunch at the Cove or Call House picnic area or in the Fort. We'll decide depending on the weather and interests of the group. There are elevation changes on this hike, but the walking is not difficult. Dogs should be left at home.
Leaders: Mary Sue & Bob