HOT SPOT PICNIC AND HIKE

All photos by Bob Rutemoeller

Meet at 9:35 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of  bridge and at 9:50 at the at end of Verdant View near Twofish Baking Company. 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: Linda Kennedy

NORTH FORK GUALALA RIVER/ELK PRAIRIE

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

This hike is our once a year hike on Gualala Redwoods lands and is a new suggestion from Henry Alden that we have never done before.  Meet at the back part of Gualala Arts parking lot at 10:15. We will carpool on logging roads (vehicles with high clearance best ) through Elk Prairie to our starting point and then hike along a road that follows the North Fork of the Gualala River so will have glimpses of it from time to time. The hike will be mostly shady and relatively, but not completely, flat. We plan to have lunch at Peach Tree Flat, an area that is open next to the Gualala River (http://gualalawatershed.wordpress.com/2012/03/09/peach-tree-flat/) and will have an opportunity to see how Gualala Redwoods has modified roads to prevent runoff and added large pieces of wood to the river to create pools for fish.
Leaders: Mary Sue Ittner and Bob Rutemoeller

BOBCAT NEW CONNECTOR

Photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

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 take the trail from the parking lot to Moonraker Rd and cross highway 1. From there we will enter the Bobcat Trail at post 201 and continue to 203 where we will head out on the new trail which connects Bobcat to Annapolis Rd trails. (NOTE: There is some elevation change. Sticks are recommended.) At post 203A we will cross highway and head to the bluff where we will circle back viewing any flowers we may have missed on Bihler and Black Point in April. Lunch at Black Point Beach or other suitable spot.

Leader: Dard Hunter

MOAT CREEK #3

Thank you Mary Sue, Dard, and Bob for the above photos.

Meet at 9:35 at pullout for Gualala business directory and at Anchor Bay at 9:45 south side of town on west side of highway to carpool. Start at Moat Creek at MM 12.77 on way to Pt. Arena at 10:00.  Hike bluff south to Bowling Ball Beach.  Walk south on beach to end and then return via beach and bluff to start. 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. Lunch at end at either Moat Creek or drive to Hearn Gulch.

Leader: Mary Heibel

LONGMEADOW TRAIL/BLUFFTOP TRAIL LOOP

Photos by Bob Rutemoeller and Mary Sue Ittner

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). Hang tags needed. Walk south on 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 Navigator's Reach and trail to Pebble Beach.  Return going north on Blufftop Trail to starting point, saying hello to the seals at Green Cove's Marine Preserve along the way. Leader's choice for lunch spot. Leader: Linda Kennedy

STORNETTA LANDS OCEAN VIEWS NORTH

Meet at 10:20 at pullout for Gualala business directory and meet at 10:30 at Anchor Bay (West side of Hwy 1) to carpool. Park in front of the Lighthouse north of Point Arena. The walk begins at 10:50 by following the bluffs to the north/east and following the Garcia River upstream (via the bluffs).  We will lunch on the bluffs overlooking the Garcia River.  We will return via the pasture and through the gate and back on the road to our cars.  The views and wildflowers could be lovely (this hike can be windy).  Note the ground may be uneven due to cow walking/grazing so sticks are recommended.

Leaders: John and Lynn Walton

NOTE: Hike was done in reverse to this write up.