STUMP BEACH LOOP (changed to GERSTLE COVE BLUFFS)

Meet at 10:00 at the pullout for the Gualala business directory to carpool and start at Stump Beach at the north end of Salt Point at approx. 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. NOTE: due to stream at Stump Beach being too wide/deep to cross the hike was moved to Gerstle Cove Bluffs)

Leader: Joel Chaban

photo & video credit: Mary Sue, Laura B, and Joel

POINT ARENA PUBLIC LANDS LOOP

Meet at 9:20 at pullout for Gualala business directory and at 9:30 at Anchor Bay (west side of Hwy 1) to carpool and start at Point Arena City Hall at 9:50. Walk north until you reach a road that will lead you to the bluff and spectacular ocean views. Follow the bluff north for a while to catch the spectacular middle section with views of the islands, ocean, and the Lighthouse before turning around and walking south along the bluff towards Arena Cove. 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.  A suitable lunch spot will be found with a good view before returning to the cars.
Leader: Mary Heibel
mileage: 4.3
photos contributed by Bob R

STORNETTA - HWY 1 TO CYPRESS ABBEY SECTION

Meet at 10:20 at pullout for Gualala business directory and at 10:30 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 offshore islands and the Ocean and find a suitable site for lunch before retracting our steps.
Leader: Mary Heibel
Mileage: 3.8
photos contributed by: Mary Sue, Bob R. and Gary B.
 

STUMP BEACH & GERSTLE COVE (new)

Meet at 9:15 at pullout for Gualala business directory and at 9:30 at The Sea Ranch Lodge to carpool to the Stump Beach parking area. We will start the hike at approx. 10:00. We will follow the trail down to Stump 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 pass through the Gerstle Cove camping grounds, cross Highway 1, and walk through forested land. We will cross Highway 1 again and walk the shoulder of the highway until we turn off to return to Stump Beach where we will have our lunch and then return to the cars.  This hike is slightly longer and has a bit more elevation change than our usual hikes. The bluff part of this hike is relatively flat but the trail down and up from the beach and the trail on the east side of the highway are steep and walking sticks are recommended. Dogs are not allowed on the Salt Point trails.
(A group of hikers chose to repeat the bluff portion and met the rest of the group at Stump Beach)
Leader: Darlene Gorman
Mileage: 4.2
photos contributed by Bob R, Gary B, and Harmony

STUMP BEACH SALT POINT BLUFFS

all photos above by Bob Rutemoeller

Meet at 9:45 at pullout for Gualala business directory and at 10:00 at The Sea Ranch Lodge to carpool and start at Stump Beach at the north end of Salt Point at approx. 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: Harmony