SALT POINT/TIMBER COVE

 

Meet at the pullout for Gualala business directory at 9:15 and at Stengel Beach Coastal Access parking area at 9:25. Start at 9:45 at Salt Point State Park. Turn west at Main Entrance and follow road down to ocean where large parking lot and restrooms are.  There is a $6 charge per car so if you have a State Parks pass bring it. Hike the coastal trail along the bluffs north for about 30 min and then return.  If we are lucky the waves will be BIG and beautiful.  We will return to our cars and then continue south to Timber Cove Inn where we will hike their trails, including a visit to the smallest state park in California.  The hike will conclude with lunch at the Timber Cove Inn so please RSVP to Mary Sue by December 9th so she can give them an idea of how many people might be coming.
Leader: Mary Sue Ittner
Mileage: 3.3
photos contributed by Leader Laura and Phil

GUALALA REGIONAL PARK NORTH SEA RANCH LOOP

Start at Hidden Parking Lot at 10:00 (on westside entrance just left after pulling past fee post.)  There is a fee per car. (Or park across the street and cross Hwy 1 if you do not have a pass.)  Cross the highway and pick up the Badger Trail.  Take the Badger Trail and hike the Pomo Hillside Trail to Deer Trail. Turn left (post 147) and walk along the road, turning right on Halcyon and crossing the highway. Turn right on Leeward, left on Fish Rock, taking the trail through the hedge row to the Bluff Trail. Walk along the trail until you pass post 70. Take trail off to right to 70A and Sea Lion. Walk to the end of the road, turn left and walk along Leeward Road to the end, entering the trail at post 76A. Connect to the Bluff Trail again and then walk to the park taking the first right back to the Visitor’s Center and back to the Hidden Parking lot. Optional lunch at the picnic tables at the end.
Leader: Linda Kennedy
mileage: 4.5
photos contributed by Bob R. & April

GUALALA ROAD TO GREEN IRON BRIDGE AND GAC HIKING TRAILS

Meet at 10:00 in back part of the Gualala Arts parking lot. We will walk one of the new GAC trails before hiking along the road down to the green bridge and back. There are some mild elevation changes. We will have lunch at the picnic tables at the Arts Center, and after lunch those interested can view the art shows inside.
Leader: Dona Dougherty
photos contributed by Phil and Liberty Laura

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