CORMORANT, BREAKER MEADOW, OHLSON BEACH, SHELL BEACH LOOP

Meet at 9:45 at pullout for 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
photos contributed by Bob R and Phil

PELICAN BLUFF

Meet at 10:05 at the pullout for the Gualala business directory and carpool at Anchor Bay at 10:15 at the south side of town on west side of highway. The hike will begin at the Pelican Bluff parking lot at 10:30. Please carpool if at all possible as there is limited parking. The Mendocino Land Trust has designed a 2.2-mile trail and this 73-acre preserve is home to the endangered Point Arena Mountain Beaver and several rare plants, as well as a creek (which is recovering from cattle grazing) and Bishop pine forest. We can either hike some additional trails at Pelican Bluff. The leaders will find a suitable lunch spot at Pelican Bluff.
Leaders: Jeff Gyving& Lena Bullamore
mileage: 3.6
photos contributed by Bob R, Phil and Harmony

LONGMEADOW TRAIL/BLUFFTOP TRAIL LOOP

Carpool at 9:45 at the pullout for the Gualala business directory north of bridge or meet at 10:00 at Linda’s house (37677 White Barn). You can leave your food for the potluck lunch at Linda’s house [Note: Potluck canceled due to power outage]. Hangtags needed. Walk south on 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 Navigator's Reach to the Blufftop trail and back to Linda’s house, saying hello to the seals at Green Cove's Marine Preserve along the way. About 3 miles.
Leader: Linda Kennedy
photos contributed by Bob R. & Mary Sue

UP AND DOWN SCENIC GUALALA

 

Meet at 10:20 at the pullout for the Gualala business directory north of the bridge to carpool or at the corner of Hwy 1 and Robinson Reef (just north of mile marker 1.62) at 10:30 where we will park. 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 Mary Star of the Sea, climb to the top of the clock tower and see Gualala in a way many of us have not seen it, on foot. This hike is not level, but none of the elevation changes are very long. We'll have lunch at Darlene's house before returning to our cars.
Leader: Darlene Gorman
photos contributed by Mary Sue and Bob R.

SODA SPRINGS RESERVE

Carpool at the pullout for Gualala Business Directory just north of bridge at 9:15 and/or at the Sea Ranch Annapolis Road Business Center at 9:30. Hang tags needed for non Sea Ranchers who park there to carpool. We will drive to Kelly Road and park at Soda Springs Reserve. Note: the last 3 miles are on a dirt road. We will then walk back uphill on that road for less than an hour and then return to the park, explore it and have lunch there. This 49 acre Sonoma County Park since 1994 (and known locally as Kelly Park) has lovely old growth redwoods and a stream running by, plus it's dog friendly with a toilet and picnic tables.  From the Parks website: "The park is a perfect place to stop among your travels. Rest or hike under the fragrant shelter of redwood groves, while enjoying the soothing sounds of running water from the adjacent Soda Springs Creek. Amenities include picnic areas, restroom, barbecues, and hiking trails." This park is not so easy to find as there is only one way to get to it and its not a main road.
Leaders: Mary Sue Ittner and Bob Rutemoeller 
photos contributed by Mary Sue and Bob R.

DMC LOOP #2

Carpool at 9:50 at the Gualala business directory just north of bridge. Start at 10:00 at Del Mar Center on TSR.  Hike south on Del Mar Meadow Trail to Bluff to the Salal Trail, then cross highway to the Pomo and Saloon Trail to post 138. Go south to 136 and follow the trail by the Golf Course and under the highway. Turn left on Tallgrass and walk back to the Del Mar Center. Lunch in the garden. Hang tags needed for non Sea Ranchers. Note: Leader took liberty on the route of this hike.
Leader: Laura Bridge
mileage: 4.2
photos contributed by Mary Sue and Liberty Laura

SALT POINT PRAIRIE

Meet at 8:45 at the pullout for the Gualala business directory north of bridge and at the Stengel Beach Coastal Access parking area at 9:00 to carpool.  Drive to the entrance to Salt Point Park on Sea View Road. Starting at 9:30 walk north on Seaview Road until you intersect Kruse Ranch Road. Descend on it until you reach the entrance to the Plantation Trail (Salt Point). We will follow it down to the Prairie and then return (uphill) to the cars. It could be muddy and there are steep stretches (up and down) so a walking stick and boots are recommended. After the hike we will stop at TwoFish for lunch where you can either bring your own lunch or purchase a sandwich there. If you call the day ahead (707-785-2011) and put in your order it will be ready when we arrive (around 11:45).
Leader: Harmony Susalla
mileage: 4.3
photos contributed by Mary Sue and Bob R