SALT POINT LOOP

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

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. This is potentially a bit longer hike, but it has both forest and bluff and a wonderful lunch spot.

Leaders: Mary Sue Ittner and Bob Rutemoeller

 

TOTAL MILEAGE: 4.6

BLACK & BIHLER FLOWERS AND BLUFF WALK

photo credit: Mary Sue Ittner

photo credit: Mary Sue Ittner

 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 on the Black and Bihler footpaths, then hike north on the Bluff Trail. At Post 7 we will take Sea Meadow Trail, and when it intersects with the Bluff Trail at Post 8 we will turn south. Depending on weather, lunch at either Black Point Beach or the old barn, where weddings are often held. May need to modify route if windy.

Leader: Jane Seck

RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK- WATERFALL

Photo Credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Photo Credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Photo Credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Meet at 9:20 at pullout for Gualala business directory and at 9:30 at Anchor Bay (west side of Hwy 1) to carpool to Russian Gulch State Park. This is a LONG drive for us - approx. 1 hour 15 minutes to the north to get to our starting spot. In addition to being a longer drive than usual the hike may be slightly longer too. Take road 409 (north of Mendocino) to the east until the pavement ends and park there. Enter through the "Horse Camp" gate on the right and proceed to waterfall via the a loop.  This hike is a beautiful hike, mostly forest and there is a fair amount of hiking up and down so boots and hiking sticks are recommended. We plan to eat our lunch at the waterfall. Carpools in agreement can stop at Frankie's for icecream as a reward after the hike.

Leader: Harmony Susalla

TOTAL MILEAGE: 6.7

KRUSE RHODODENDRON STATE RESERVE

 

Carpool at 9:45 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge, or at The Sea Ranch Lodge at 10:00. Shortly after entering Salt Point State Park, drivers from the north should prepare to turn left on Kruse Ranch Road, just before Fisk Mill Cove. There is just a short drive to the official parking area. No fees and no passes required. Hike will begin from the Kruse parking area at 10:15. We will hike the short Rhododendron trail connecting with Phillips Gulch Trail and return on the Chinese Gulch Trail. This is only a 2.7 mile hike. The first part is mostly up and the second part is mostly down. This is a spectacular area. Dogs are not allowed on the Kruse trails.

ALDER CREEK - MANCHESTER STATE BEACH

Photo Credit: Gary Levenson-Palmer

Photo Credit: Gary Levenson-Palmer

Photo Credit: Gary Levenson-Palmer

Meet at 9:05 at pullout for Gualala business directory and 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 wildflowers and walk back via the beach if we can. We may change the direction of the hike depending on the wind. 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 and Mary Sue Ittner