SALT POINT LOOP

Photos by Mary Sue and Bob

 This was a new hike for us and definitely one we will do again!  For your viewing pleasure, here's another fun video by Jerry Wheat: https://sites.google.com/site/thesearanch2012/salt-point-state-park.

Carpool at 9:30 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge, and at The Sea Ranch Lodge at 9:45. Park at the call box parking area one-half mile south of Stump Beach on the east side of HWY 1 (south of MM 41.00). Take trail on east side of the highway up to the first fork.  Turn right and follow the trail until you come out at the highway. Cross the highway and take the road to the campground (where there will be bathrooms we can use.) From there we will hike down the hill turning right on the road to the Visitor Center. Pass it and go onto 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 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. The trail could be a bit wet in spots if we've had recent rain. This is potentially a bit longer hike, but we could have nice flowers and it has both forest and bluff and a wonderful lunch spot.
Leaders: Mary Sue Ittner and Bob Rutemoeller

MOAT CREEK

Photo credit:  Bob Rutemoeller

Photo credit:  Bob Rutemoeller

Photo credit:  Mary Sue Ittner

Photo credit:  Mary Sue Ittner

Photo credit:  Mary Sue Ittner

Photo credit:  Mary Sue Ittner

Photo credit:  Mary Sue Ittner

For additional video montage of the day visit Jerry Wheat's web site: https://sites.google.com/site/thesearanch2012/bowling-ball-beach.   Thanks Jerry, that's very cool!

Meet at 9:30 at pullout for Gualala business directory to carpool and at Anchor Bay at 9:40 south side of town on west side of highway. Start at Moat Creek at MM 12.77 on way to Pt. Arena at 9:50.  Hike bluff south to Bowling Ball Beach.  This stretch is mostly level, but two short steep stretches (up one way and down another.) The beach can be rocky and a bit challenging to walk on in a few stretches. There is a minus tide this day and there are often nice wildflowers this time of the year along the bluff. Bowling Ball Beach at a low tide is a sight to behold. We had lunch at Moat Creek. Hiking sticks probably helpful.
Leader: Jim Suhr

RAIN CHANGE

Photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

It was raining today so the leader revised the hike to be a loop starting and ending at the Sea Ranch Lodge. Four people and a dog walked for about 1 hour and fifteen minutes. You can see by their smiles they were happy to be out and about (but a little wet as well.)
Leader: Theresa Yuen

OCEAN RIDGE DRIVE-BOWER PARK-BULBS

Meet at 9:50 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge to carpool and at Mary Sue's house at 38240 Ocean Ridge Drive at 10:00. (Turn left off Old Stage Road past Pacific Woods going north.) Hike on Ocean Ridge Drive and on informal trails surrounding Bower Park and the area for the proposed recreation center. Try and see if you can discover if you are retracing your steps or covering new ground as you leader tried to focus on where she is going. End back at Mary Sue's garden where there are bound to be some bulbs in bloom. Lunch optional or eat your lunch in Mary Sue's garden.
Leader: Mary Sue Ittner

ALDER CREEK - MANCHESTER STATE BEACH

Ginger found a message in a bottle - time recorded

We found a Styrofoam log on the beach. . .

and had to remove it.

The Baby Blue Eyes were in full bloom!

Lunch with Beverly in her spectacular garden.

Carpool at Anchor Bay (west side of Hwy 1) at 9:15. The hike starts at the public access from Highway One on about mile marker 22.27 at 9:45. We will turn in at Alder Creek Beach Road, then turn directly left and park on the road that parallels Highway One. We will walk down the road where it is closed until we come to the trail that leads to the environmental campground hoping to see iris, poppies, and baby blue eyes along the way and walk back via the beach if we can. We will have lunch afterwards at Beverley Thompson's lovely garden to view spring flowers (Rhododendrons and Azaleas to name a few.)
Leaders: Bob Rutemoeller & Mary Sue Ittner

BLACK & BIHLER FLOWERS AND BLUFF WALK

Carpool at pullout for Gualala business directory just north of bridge at 9:45 and meet at the Sea Ranch Lodge at 10:00. We will be exploring the marvelous wildflower displays this time of the year (it was not the usual color explosion, the flowers on the bluff seem to be a bit late this year, but we did see a few signs of spring.)  on the Black and Bihler footpaths finally intersecting with the Blufftop Trail and heading north. At post 7 we will take the Sea Meadow Trail and when it intersects with the Blufftop Trail again we will this time turn south. Lunch was enjoyed at the chairs outside of the Lodge.  About 1/2 hour after the hike ended the rain began.
Leader: Jane Seck brought us oatmeal chocolate chip cookies - yummmm

HORSESHOE COVE--SALT POINT NORTH

Footsteps of Spring - photo credit:  Mary Sue Ittner

photo credit:  Mary Sue Ittner

Meet at 10:00 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge to carpool and at The Sea Ranch Lodge at 10:15. Park at MM 44.00 at Salt Point. The turnoff is tricky; turnoff at MM44 even though the sign says Turnout 1/4 mile. This hike is quite steep in places so hiking sticks and boots are recommended. Hike on the trail staying right at the fork until you go over the crest of the hill and have a beautiful view of Horseshoe Cove. Descend sharply until you reach the Bluff. Walk south along the bluff until about 11:30 and retrace your steps until we reach a magical rock formation for lunch. The return to the cars after lunch will be uphill, but this is a gorgeous spot so worth the effort.
Leader: Gary Sprague