POINT ARENA-STORNETTA PUBLIC LANDS

photo credit: Robert

photo credit: Robert

Meet to carpool at 10 a.m. at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge or at Anchor Bay (west side of Hwy One) at 10:10 a.m.  The hike starts at 10:30 a.m. at Point Arena City Hall.  We will be walking in coastal grassland so there isn't a lot of elevation changes, but the ground is uneven and there are gopher holes so boots are still helpful. We should have spectacular views of Arena Cove and the offshore islands and the Pacific Ocean. We may do a loop, or just turn around and come back after walking an hour and have our lunch overlooking Arena Cove.
Leader: Mary Sue Ittner for Mary Heibel

CORMORANT-WALK-ON BEACH LOOP

Meet at 9:45 at the Gualala Business Directory (north of bridge) and at 10:00 at Steve and Bonnie Coffeysmith's house, 339 Bluff Reach, corner of Bluff Reach and Cormorant Close. Walk to marker 30A and follow the hedgerow to marker 30D. Turn left and follow the trail straight through 31C to 33B. Turn right on Pacific Reach and Whalebone, toward Rt. 1. Turn left at marker 34A, left at 35D, and right at 35C. Continue hiking through the meadows to marker 42C, then turn left and walk to 42, overlooking Walk-on Beach. Turn left and follow the Bluff Trail, passing the TSRA Marine Preserve and Dune Drift Beach at marker 38. Hike to marker 37 and follow the sand trail to the cypress hedgerow, turn right and go to Tidepool Beach to look for harbor seals. Continue on the trail, passing Shell Beach and stopping to check out the cormorant nesting area before returning to the Coffeysmith's to enjoy your bag lunch.

KING RIDGE LOOP

photo credit: Mary Sue Ittner

Meet at 9:15 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge to carpool and at The Sea Ranch Lodge parking lot at 9:30. From Skagg's Spring Road turn on Tin Barn Road and drive to King Ridge Road and park. Hike King Ridge two miles (up) and return. This stretch is very beautiful in winter with mist, oak trees, and nice views. There is plenty of up and down on this hike.
Leader: Loretta Healy

UP AND DOWN SCENIC GUALALA

photo credit: Dard Hunter

photo credit: Mary Sue Ittner

photo credit: Mary Sue Ittner

photo credit: Mary Sue Ittner

photo credit: Mary Sue Ittner

Meet at the corner of Highway One and Robinson Reef (the old site of Laura's Bakery) where we will park at 10 a.m. On this walk there are many scenic views. We will see views of the ocean from many different vantage points, interesting and diverse architecture and drought tolerant entry gardens, walk on the Gualala Bluff Trail, walk the Labyrinth at Shepherd by the Sea and see Gualala in a way most of us have never seen it, on foot. We might even see Calypso orchids in the woods near the Baptist Church. This hike is not level, but none of the "elevation changes" are very long. At the end we hope to eat our lunch on Ginger's deck, weather permitting.
Leaders: Mary Sue Ittner & Ginger Thompson-Veys

DMC LOOP #5

Photo credit: Mary Sue Ittner

Carpool at 9:50 at Gualala Business Sign pullout just north of bridge or meet at 10:00 at Del Mar Center on TSR. Hang tags needed for parking for non Sea Ranch hikers. Walk south on Leeward until you reach the Walk-On Beach access trail and walk on it to Bluff. Turn north on the Bluff Trail and walk north taking the Salal Trail, turning right on Leeward, right on Grey Whale and picking up the Del Mar Meadow Trail at post 67B and back to Leeward and the Del Mar Center. Lunch in the Del Mar Garden.
Leader: Linda Kennedy

CURLY LANE

Meet at 9:50 at pullout for Gualala business directory and at Anchor Bay (west side of Hwy 1) at 10:00 to carpool. We will start the hike at 10:15. Curly Lane is a dirt road that passes through pleasant scenery (green meadows, ponds, cows) making you forget where you started until you see the lovely views of the ocean on the return. This is a short hike, sometimes windy, mostly level, but some up and down. Afterwards those people who are interested can drive to Point Arena for lunch out.
Leaders: John & Lynn Walton

TIN BARN ROAD TO KING RIDGE ROAD

All Photos by Bob Rutemoeller

Meet at 9:15 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge to carpool and at The Sea Ranch Lodge parking lot at 9:30. From Skagg's Spring Road turn on Tin Barn Road. Park close to the logs next to the road where we will have lunch at the end. Start at 10:00 and walk to King Ridge Road and back. This is a road hike, but with lovely green vistas in the winter (we hope) and glimpses of the Buddhist Temple on the return.
Leaders: Bob Rutemoeller and Mary Sue Ittner