BOBCAT TRAIL/BLACK POINT BEACH

Meet at 9:30 at the Gualala Business Directory or at 9:40 at the Blackpoint Beach Coastal Access parking lot (just north of the Sea Ranch Lodge). We will shuttle people from the Blackpoint Beach parking lot to the top of the hill and then we'll end up near the Lodge for lunch.. There isn't a lot of space to park at our starting point. Start at 10:00 at the trail head on Indian Close off Timber Ridge Road. Hang tags needed to park here. This is a beautiful hike down a forested, shady hillside. There are some steep stretches, so bring your walking stick. The trail leads down and north, crosses Crows Nest Drive, and eventually turns down and south on the hillside along Hwy 1, ending on Moonraker Road. Cross the highway and walk to The Moonraker Recreation Center and down Brigantine's Reach to the Blufftop Trail. Turn south taking the Black and Bihler Foot Paths to check for late blooming wildflowers and then head for Black Point Beach for lunch and back to the Lodge afterwards.
Leader: Laura Bridge
photos contributed by Mary Sue and Bob R

KRUSE RHODODENDRON STATE RESERVE

Carpool at 9:45 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge, or at the Stengel Beach Coastal Access parking area at 9:55. Shortly after entering Salt Point State Park, drivers from the north should prepare to turn left on Kruse Ranch Road, just before Fisk Mill Cove. There is just a short drive to the official parking area. No fees and no passes required. Hike will begin from the Kruse parking area at 10:15. We will hike the short Rhododendron trail connecting with Phillips Gulch Trail and return on the Chinese Gulch Trail. This is only a 2.5 mile hike. The first part is mostly up and the second part is mostly down (but no steep places). Fortunately, there are level places along the way where we can catch our breath. We will cross eight bridges over flowing creeks. This is a spectacular area. If the Rhododendrons are still in bloom we will have time to appreciate them and we often see Coralroot orchids and sometimes late flowering Calypso orchids in May. Lunch will be on some friendly logs near our starting place. Dogs are not allowed on the Kruse trails.
Leaders: Mary Sue Ittner and Bob Rutemoeller
Mileage: 2.7
photos contributed by Mary Sue, Bob R, and Harmony

SALT POINT LOOP

Carpool at 9:30 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge, and at the Stengel Beach Coastal Access parking area at 9:40. Park at the call box parking area one-half mile south of Stump Beach on the east side of Highway 1 (south of MM 41.00). Take the trail on east side of the highway. We will do a forest loop and then cross the highway and walk to the headlands. Hike north on the bluff all the way to a rock outcropping in line with the call box on the highway, then continue for another few minutes toward Stump Beach. There we will have lunch seated on some wonderful rock ledges, watch the crashing surf and see the salt pockets after which Salt Point was named at Glen's Spot. After lunch continue on the trail to the Highway and carefully walk back to the cars. Dogs are not allowed on the Salt Point trails. Walking sticks are a good idea. This is potentially a bit longer hike, but it has both forest and bluff and a wonderful lunch spot. If its windy we may do the hike in reverse direction and lunch in the forest and if it’s been rainy it could be a bit wet in spots.
Leader: Joel Chaban
Mileage: 4.2
photos contributed by Mary Sue, Harmony and Bob R.

LONGMEADOW TRAIL/BLUFFTOP TRAIL LOOP (RAIN CHANGE)

Carpool at 9:50 at the pullout for the Gualala business directory north of bridge or meet at 10:00 at the Stengel Beach Coastal Access parking area. Walk south to the Ohlson Ranch Center and cut through the Demonstration Garden to take the 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 down Navigator's Reach, then walk north on the Blufftop Trail to the starting point, saying hello to the seals at Green Cove's Marine Preserve along the way. Eat at Ohlson at the end.  [DUE TO RAIN THIS HIKE WAS CHANGED AND TWO HEARTY PEOPLE WALKED FROM ART CENTER TO GREEN IRON BRIDGE INSTEAD.]
Leader: Jane Seck
mileage: 4.5

STONEBORO ROAD TO THE GARCIA RIVER

Meet at 9:50 at the pullout for the Gualala business directory and at 10:00 at Anchor Bay (West side of Hwy 1) to carpool to the west end of Stoneboro road in Manchester and start our hike at 10:30. Enjoy a 15 minute walk on the dunes to the beach, then walk south to the Garcia river, viewing the lighthouse and perhaps whales, pelicans and Canada geese heading north (during the winter). We will walk east for a short while along the Garcia, then retrace our steps for the return, passing where we came in through the dunes and exploring a little to the north. We will find a good spot along the beach (or in the dunes if windy) for lunch. This walk is entirely on the sand and dogs on leash are allowed.
Leader: Joyce Nugent
photos contributed by Liberty Laura

SKAGGS SPRINGS ROAD WILDFLOWER HIKE

Carpool at 9:40 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge and at the Stengel Beach Coastal Access parking area at 9:50 to carpool. Start at MM 6 on Skaggs Springs Road (before Haupt Creek Bridge) at 10:15. We will walk along the road looking for wildflowers along the bank with views of the Gualala River too. How far we walk will depend on how many flowers there are to slow us down.  This area is shady in the morning and can be cool so dress accordingly. We will have lunch at the Annapolis Winery.
Leader: Mary Sue and Bob substituted for Harmony - THANK YOU!
photos contributed by: Mary Sue and Bob R.