GUALALA POINT PARK # 3

Start at Hidden Parking Lot at 10:00. You can park on westside entrance just left after pulling past the fee post. If you have a pass, bring it as there is a fee to park in the park. Or park across the street and cross Hwy 1 if you do not have a pass.  Hike from there down to the beach but instead of going to the beach go south past the restrooms to the bluff.  Bear left on bluffs and continue on Bluff Trail until you intersect Salal Trail. Hike Salal Trail to Hwy 1, turn left and follow frontage path back to the Park and the Hidden Parking lot. If it is very wet, can retrace steps instead of taking the Salal Trial. Lunch at the Hidden Parking lot tables or by the poles.
Leaders: John & Lynn Walton
photos contributed by Bob

IRISH BEACH POMO LAKE, NEW TRAIL AND FOOTBRIDGE (NEW)

Meet at 9:35 at pullout for Gualala business directory and at Anchor Bay (west side of Hwy 1) at 9:45 to carpool. Drive north to Irish Beach and mile marker 25, turn right on Sea Cypress road to Cypress Circle to park. The hike will start at approximately 10:30. Walk around Irish Beach including going down to the beach and back up, to Pomo Lake to walk on the new improved trail and new foot bridge, then through Irish Beach ending with lunch on Gary and Susan’s deck overlooking the ocean.
Leaders: Gary & Susan Levenson-Palmer
Mileage: 4.6
photos contributed by Bob, April and Harmony

CROSS-SECTION OF SEA RANCH

Carpool at pullout for Gualala business directory just north of bridge at 9:45 and park at the Olson Ranch at 10:00. Cross the highway at the White Barn and walk UP Hugal Ravine (this is the hard part) to Sea Bird and the end of Schooner.  Take left fork at Post 109A joining the Ridge Trail. Walk north to Post 111, where we will turn left on the Cluster Trail and go down by the Clusters at Madrone Meadow and cross the highway again at post 266 catching the trail to the bluff. Turn south. Leader’s choice for lunch spot: Stengel Beach, Ohlson Beach, or one of the picnic tables.
Leader: Theresa Yuen
photos contributed by Mary Sue and Bob

DMC LOOP #4

Carpool at 10:00 am at Gualala Business Sign pullout just north of bridge or meet at 10:15 at the Del Mar Center on TSR. Hangtags needed for non-Sea Ranch hikers. Start from the Del Mar Center by crossing HWY 1 onto Deertrail. At the trail post 132A turn right to access the Azalea Loop Trail, taking one of the loops to trail post 128. Turn right  to take "Leeward Spur Connector". Cross highway to Leeward Spur, left on Leeward Road, right on Osprey to Bluff Trail, then north to post 49, taking trail to Tide Pool, turn right to Sea Drift and left on Leeward Road to cars. Lunch in the Del Mar garden or the Secret Place behind the Del Mar Schoolhouse.
Leader: Adrian Adams
Mileage: 3.7
photos contributed by Harmony and Mary Sue

SOUTH GERSTLE COVE BLUFF -- "THE SLEEPING LION"

Carpool at 9:45 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge and at The Sea Ranch Lodge at 10:00. Drive almost through Salt Point to MM 39.17 where there is a wide area to park on the right side of the road.  At 10:15 cross over to the gate on the east side of the road and follow a path north, parallel with the road. Cross the road at MM 39.4 continuing north until we pass the waterfall (which may be dry in October).  Follow the trail south to the South Gerstle Cove Picnic Area. Restrooms are available there. From here we will follow the bluff as closely as possible until we reach the extreme southern boundary of Salt Point Park. We will return to our cars the same way we came. The rock formations and views from the bluff are outstanding. There are great photo opportunities for camera buffs. Just one warning: the paths are rough and eroded in places, and there are a few steep gulches to cross. The trail is not maintained, and disappears in some places. We will take a very leisurely pace and explore whatever attracts our attention. Be sure to bring walking sticks and be ready to lend a helping hand to your fellow hikers. There are several nice places to sit on the ground overlooking the ocean and have lunch, or we may wait until we return to the picnic area at South Gerstle. Our leader will point out a "sleeping lion" rock formation that is most visible on a sunny day at about 11:30. This hike is mostly level, but with obstacles. Dogs are not allowed on the Salt Point trails.
Leaders: Leaders: Ken & Marian Brown
photos contributed by: Steve, Bob, Mary Sue and Wildflower Laura