SALT POINT BLUFFS/SLEEPING LION

Carpool at the pullout for Gualala business directory at 9:30 and at Black Point Beach Coastal Access parking area at 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 Chaban

photo credit: Laura and Gary 

LONGMEADOW TRAIL/BLUFFTOP TRAIL LOOP

 

Carpool at 9:50 at the pullout for the Gualala business directory north of bridge or meet at 10:00 at the Stengel Beach Coastal Access parking area. Walk south to the Ohlson Ranch Center and cut through the Demonstration Garden to take the trail between the highway and the Ohlson Ranch Center. Cross the highway at Headlands Reach and take an immediate left on a trail off Headlands Close (mm 53.00). Upon reaching Longmeadow Trail follow it south and up hill. At a trail crossing take a right on Spur Close Trail. This trail goes downhill almost to Spur Close in order to go around trees along a creek, then uphill again through a wooded area. Reaching a bifurcation, take the right hand fork down to the highway. Cross and walk down Navigator's Reach, then walk north on the Blufftop Trail to the starting point, saying hello to the seals at Green Cove's Marine Preserve along the way. Eat at Ohlson at the end. 

Leader: Laura Bridge

photo credit: Laura B

 

SALT POINT LOOP

Carpool at 9:30 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge, and at the Black Point Beach Coastal Access parking area 9:45. Park at the call box parking area one-half mile south of Stump Beach on the east side of Highway 1 (south of MM 41.00). Take the trail on the east side of the highway. We will do a forest loop and then cross the highway and walk to the headlands. Hike north on the bluff all the way to a rock outcropping in line with the call box on the highway, then continue for another few minutes toward Stump Beach. There we will have lunch seated on some wonderful rock ledges, watch the crashing surf and see the salt pockets after which Salt Point was named at Glen's Spot. After lunch continue on the trail to the Highway and carefully walk back to the cars. Dogs are not allowed on the Salt Point trails. Walking sticks are a good idea. This is potentially a bit longer hike, but it has both forest and bluff and a wonderful lunch spot. If its windy we may do the hike in reverse direction and lunch in the forest and if it’s been rainy it could be a bit wet in spots. 

Leader: Joel Chaban

photo credit: Laura B

 

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. Take the Salal trail back to the cars and 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

Note: hike was modified by the attendees since this was a leaderless hike - we did GPP, Whale Watch Point, Salal Loop

3.5 miles

photo credit: Bob R. 

STUMP BEACH LOOP

Meet at 9:50 at the pullout for the Gualala business directory to carpool and start at Stump Beach at the north end of Salt Point at approximately 10:30. We will park at Stump Beach and follow the trail down to the beach, crossing the stream and heading up the other side to the southern bluff tops. We will meander along the bluffs taking in the views and wildlife along the way. We will walk for an hour and then head back the way we came stopping at "Glen's Spectacular Spot" for lunch and then walk back to our cars. The bluff part of this hike is relatively flat but the trail down and up from the beach is steep and walking sticks are recommended. Dogs are not allowed on the Salt Point trails. 

Leader: Joel Chaban

photo credit: Laura B

OHLSON RANCH LOOPY LOOP

Carpool at 9:45 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge or meet at 10:00 at Ohlson Ranch Center (just south of the white barn). Hangtags needed. Walk south on the trail between the highway and the Ohlson Ranch Center turning right at marker 15c. Take Arch Rock Road to marker 15A where you will pick up the bluff trail. Head north on the bluff trail until marker 27 where you will turn right and then left onto Breaker Reach until you catch marker 29 back to the bluff. Continue until you reach Cormorant Close and take the hedge row trail back to the trail that parallels the highway. Continue on this trail until reaching marker 25D where we will turn right crossing Breakers Reach and ending up at marker 25A turning south and back to Ohlson Ranch for lunch. 

Leader: Laura Bridge

photo credit: Bob R (with new iphone ) and Harmony (1st photo of Bob)

Mileage 4.6

 

POINT ARENA-STORNETTA PUBLIC LANDS BLUFFS

Meet at 10:00 at the pullout for the Gualala business directory and at 10:10 at Anchor Bay (west side of Hwy 1) to carpool and start at Point Arena City Hall at 10:30. Walk the trail next to the cove and then follow the bluffs for spectacular ocean views. Expect to see blow holes, sea arches and stacks, sink holes, caves, tunnels and more. We will find a nice spot for lunch along the way. We will walk to the Lighthouse, and the leader will return the carpool drivers to City Hall to retrieve cars. This is mostly coastal grassland so there isn't much elevation change, but the ground is uneven and there are gopher holes so good hiking shoes are helpful. 

Leader: Mary Heibel

photo credit: Laura B

 

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. 

Leader: Dona Dougherty

photo credit: Laura B & Gary LP

 

GUALALA POINT PARK BLUFF AND LOOP

Start at the 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.) 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: Annie Pivarski

 photo credit: Laura B