HORSESHOE COVE--SALT POINT NORTH

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

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: Harmony
NOTE: We ended up walking down the steepest part first and doing the beginning part of the loop at the end which made for an easier ascent. We will do this again in the future I believe.

DEL MAR CENTER TO CHAPEL

All photos by Bob Rutemoeller

Meet at 9:45 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge to carpool or at the Del Mar Center at 10:00. Hang tags are needed for non Sea Ranchers. Walk on Leeward southeast, crossing the highway on Deer Trail Road. Take the Azalea Loop Trail to the Chapel Trail to the Chapel. Cross Highway One at Bosuns Reach and take the first loop to the meadow trail.  At Osprey Reach walk east on the road to Leeward Spur and cross the highway again to rejoin the Chapel Trail.  Return via the other Azalea Loop. Anyone wanting a shorter walk can arrange to leave a car at the Chapel. There are elevation changes on this hike so a walking stick might be helpful and some open areas if there is a warm day. Lunch at the end at the "secret place" at the Del Mar School house or the Del Mar garden.
Leader: Steve Coffeysmith

GUALALA POINT PARK #1 July 7, 2016

All Photos by Bob Ruteomeller

Meet at the Hidden Parking Lot at 10:00 (on westside entrance just left after pulling past fee post.) Or park across the street and cross Highway One if you do not have a pass.  Hike to the bluff, go north, and then back to the Visitors Center, walking occasionally on the road, but mostly on trails. After a brief stop on the benches to look at the view of the river, we will take the trail down to the river and under the highway to the campground. From there we will walk through the forest and down to the Gualala River for lunch. After lunch we will walk back to the cars via the road to the campground. This hike has more bathroom possibilities than any we do, but it also has the ocean, the Magic Forest (hopefully not logged),  the Gualala River, and sometimes Leopard Lilies this time of the year.
Leaders: Mary Sue Ittner & Bob Rutemoeller

HIKE TO THE 'TWO FISH BAKING CO.

Photo Credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Photo Credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Carpool at pullout for Gualala business directory just north of bridge at 10:45. Hike will start at the Ohlson Ranch Parking Lot on The Sea Ranch at 11:00. Hang tags needed. This is a moderate hike, mainly uphill to the Bakery on Verdant View  off Annapolis Road and downhill on the way back. Cross Highway One opposite Ohlson Ranch and go right through gate, taking trail above the stables, crossing Longmeadow Road. Take trail to Sea Ridge Road, then left when you hit Annapolis Road. Cross Annapolis and go right on Verdant View to Business Center where bakery is located. Lunch should be pre-ordered at 785-2443.  There is a choice of delicious sandwiches, pizza or salads. If you wish, you may bring your own lunch. We return to the Ohlson Center  via Annapolis and Sea Ridge Rd., turning left on Pilot’s Reach to trailhead. Follow the trail to the highway. Cross Highway One onto Navigators Reach. Turn right at trail marker and follow to the Ohlson Center.
Leader: Theresa Yuen

MENDOCINO REDWOODS/GARCIA RIVER LOOP (new)

photo credit: Bob Ruteomeller

photo credit: Bob Ruteomeller

photo credit: Bob Ruteomeller

photo credit: Bob Ruteomeller

Carpool at 10:15 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge. Drive to just north of the Voorhee's dirt road off of 10 Mile Road and park on east side of 10 Mile (opposite of the parking for the BIG ROCK hike). We will walk down the logging road to the Garcia River and lunch beside the river. After lunch we will return to the cars via a road through a hunting campground that connects at the top to the Voorhee's road.The first half is all down hill and the second half (after lunch) is pretty much all up hill so be prepared. We will take our time and enjoy this lovely forest and river walk. NOTE: If you are adverse to elevation change we do not recommend coming on this hike.
Leader: Harmony

RIDGE, SAG PONDS, BIG TREE AND BIG TREE LOOP TRAILS

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

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 a.m. Please bring hang tags for non Sea Ranchers. Going south exit Highway 1 to the left at Deerfield. Go to the top of Deerfield and turn right on Timber Ridge. Start at Big Tree Close and Timber Ridge at Ridge Trail post 122 at 10 a.m. Pass Ridge Trail post 116.  At Ridge Trail post 111 take left fork.  Follow trail to Ridge Trail post 104 at which point you are at Longmeadow Street. Go through gate and turn right onto Sag Ponds Trail at trail post 104A.Continue on this trail past the Sag Pond to Sag Ponds Trail post 109A.  Turn right and walk to trail post 110.  Turn left on Ridge Trail and walk to trail post 117.  Turn left downhill on Big Tree trail to post 118.  Continue downhill now on Big Tree Loop trail and walk to trail post 267.  Here there is a bench with a great view.  Time for lunch.  After lunch at trail post 267 take a left turn and hike to Big Tree Loop trail post 120. Turn left and exit the Big Tree Loop Trail at Big Tree Close at trail post 123. Turn right and return to parking area on Timber Ridge.
Leader: Adrian Adams

WALK-ON-BEACH TO GUALALA POINT PARK

All photos by Bob Rutemoeller

Meet at the Hidden parking lot (left of the Gualala Point Park pay station) at 9:50 a.m. to carpool to Walk-On-Beach parking lot off Highway 1. (If you do not have a regional park permit, you can park on the east side of Highway 1 across from the park entrance.) We take the public access trail to Walk-On-Beach before heading north on the bluff trail  to Gualala Point Park. Lunch options include the beach, picnic tables on the bluff by the bathrooms or the tables at the visitor's center. Carpool drivers (and any Sea Ranchers who met the group there) will  be shuttled back to Walk-On-Beach parking lot.
Leader: Gary Beall