KING RIDGE LOOP

Meet at 9:15 at the pullout for the 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. We will eat our lunches at an old cemetery.
Leader: Mary Sue Ittner
Mileage: 4.5
photos contributed by Liberty Laura, MS, and Harmony

CORMORANT, BREAKER MEADOW, OHLSON BEACH, SHELL BEACH LOOP

Meet at 9:45 at the pullout for the Gualala business directory north of the bridge and at 10:00 at Steve and Bonnie Coffeysmith's house, 339 Bluff Reach, corner of Bluff Reach and Cormorant Close (right on Breaker Reach, right on Hedgegate, left on Bluff Reach.). Walk to marker 30A and follow the hedgerow to marker 30D. Turn right and follow the trail to 26D and continue on Breaker Meadow Trail to 25D. Take the bike trail from 25D to marker 21, passing by Knipp-Stengel Barn. Turn right to Ohlson Beach, then return to 21, turn left and walk along the bluff to marker 24, overlooking Stengel Beach. Follow the bluff trail from 24, 24A, 25 to marker 31. Check out the cormorant nesting area at the point, then continue along the bluff to Shell Beach and loop back via 33, 33A, and Cormorant Reach to complete the loop. Enjoy your bag lunch at the Coffeysmith's on their deck or.inside out of the elements.
Leader: Steve Coffeysmith
Mileage: 4.9
photos contributed by Harmony & Mary Sue

GUALALA POINT PARK #5 (NEW)

Meet at the Hidden Parking Lot at 10:00 (on the west side entrance, just left after pulling past fee post.) Or park across the street and cross Highway One if you do not have a pass. Walk through the Serge Poles and then cross the road to the bench overlooking the Gualala River. Take the trail from there that leads to the Visitor Center and from there the grass trail to the Beach. Walk as far as you can on the beach, turning around and retracing your steps and then hike south pass the restrooms and along the bluff doing the loop for views of Whale Watch Point and then walking south until you reach the trail that goes south to Walk On Beach. Instead take the trail that takes you back towards the Visitor's Center. Leader's choice for eating at the picnic tables there or walking back to the Hidden Parking lot and eating at the tables there.
Leader: Gary Beall
Mileage: 4.3
photos contributed by Mary Sue & Harmony

STORNETTA - POINT ARENA PUBLIC LANDS

Meet at 9:50 at pullout for Gualala business directory and at 10:00 at Anchor Bay (West side of Hwy 1) to carpool or at the entrance to Stornetta Public Lands where Lighthouse Road turns right towards the Lighthouse at 10:30. Walk the spectacular bluff toward the old Coast Guard Loran site (now owned by Mendocino Community College) seeing blow holes, sink holes, islands, waves and enter the public lands to view this spectacular spot. After we have walked about an hour, we will turn around and retrace our steps finding a suitable spot for lunch along the way. Note that much of this hike is on uneven ground that has been grazed so you have to watch where you step. NOTE: Due to the rains this hike was changed to walking north to the river and eating at the gazebo at the lighthouse.
Leaders: Jeff Gyving & Lena Bullamore
Mileage: 4.0
photos contributed by Bob & Harmony

SALT POINT BLUFFS - RAIN CHANGED

RAIN CHANGED HIKE TO: Four hardy hikers met up at The Sea Ranch Lodge this morning and opted to hike north along the bluff trail instead of driving to Salt Point. The waves were huge and interesting to watch. We went as far north as Pebble  Beach. The big redwood log we used to sit on for lunch was being tossed around in the surf. Adrian was thinking of trying for a "ride", but we talked him out of that.

Photos contributed by Bob Rutemoeller

BLUFF/MONARCH GLEN/CHAPEL TRAIL/BLUFF

Carpool at pullout for Gualala business directory just north of bridge at 9:50. Start at 10:00 at the parking area at Piper's Reach. Hang tags needed for non Sea Ranchers.  Walk to the bluff and then walk south to post 31. Continue east to Cormorant Close and through the hedgerow intersecting the trail that is adjacent to Hwy 1. Walk north on it until you reach the Monarch Glen Trail. Do that loop and then walk back to Bosuns Close and carefully cross the highway taking the road to the Chapel. Walk the first part of the Chapel Trail with its great views to post 128, turning left to Leeward Spur, crossing the highway again. Turn south onto Leeward Road and walk Leeward until you hit trail marker 37 C to 36 C to 36 B with lunch at One-Eyed Jack's or Shell Beach.
Leader: Adrian Adams
Mileage: 5.0
photos contributed by Bob Rutemoeller

KRUSE RANCH ROAD TO PLANTATION

Carpool at 9:30 at pullout for the Gualala business directory north of bridge, or at the Sea Ranch Lodge at 9:45. Shortly after entering Salt Point State Park, drivers from the north should prepare to turn left on Kruse Ranch Road and drive to the official parking area for Kruse Reserve. There are no fees or passes required. Hike will begin from the Kruse parking area at 10:00. We will hike up the gravel road all the way to Plantation. The ascent is gradual, but the gravel large and often sharp, so sturdy shoes are recommended. In the late nineteenth century, Plantation was an important destination for travelers from San Francisco on their way to Gualala. It had the only hotel available. After we check out Plantation, we will retrace our steps back to the Kruse Reserve for lunch. The views are spectacular. We will walk along several gushing creeks, and have views into deep forested canyons. This hike is a bit longer than our regular hikes, about five miles, but the rewards are great.
Leaders: Mary Sue Ittner and Bob Rutemoeller
Mileage: 5.5
all photos contributed by Bob