GUALALA POINT PARK #4

 

Meet at the Hidden Parking Lot at 10:00 (on westside entrance just left after pulling past fee post.) Or park across the street and cross Hwy 1 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 on the beach, turning around and retracing steps and then hike south pass the restrooms and along the bluff to Gualala Point. Turn around and hike the road back to the Visitors Center where there are picnic tables sheltered from the wind for lunch. Return to the cars after lunch. 

Leader: April Dammann

photo and video credit: Laura B and April

STORNETTA - POINT ARENA PUBLIC LANDS COW TRAIL LOOP (NEW)

Meet at 9:30 at the pullout for the Gualala business directory and at 9:40 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 10:10. Walk the spectacular bluff toward the old Coast Guard Loran site (now owned by Mendocino Community College) seeing blow holes, sink holes, and the waterfall which will likely be dry or a trickle. We will walk up the paved road past huckleberry avenue turning left and following the cow trail back to the road to the lighthouse and our cars. People who want to stay for lunch can walk out to the bluffs for the lovely view. 

Leader: Harmony 

Mileage: 3.2

Photo credit: Bob R, and Mary Sue

 

DEL MAR WANDERING (NEW)

 Meet at 9:45 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge to carpool or at the Del Mar Center at 10:00. Hang tags are needed for non Sea Ranchers. Go North on Leeward to Tall Grass.  Take the trail that parallels Tall Grass to post 138A.  Turn left on the cart path to the edge of the golf course, then follow the trail down to Leeward.  Take the trail through the hedgerow alongside Helm to Del Mar Point.  Turn right on Del Mar Point to post 60C then take the Del Mar Meadow trail north to the intersection with the Bluff Trail at post 63.  A few steps north on the Bluff Trail, turn right onto the Fish Rock hedgerow.  Follow this trail to post 64B and turn left on Grey Whale at post 67B.  Follow down to the Bluff Trail at post 67 and make a left on the Bluff Trail and continue south to post 49.  Turn left to post 49A, then up Tide Pool and Seadrift to Leeward Road.  Go left on Leeward to the Del Mar Center for lunch.
Leaders: Richard and Judy Knarr

photo credit: Leader Laura

STILLWATER COVE #3

 

Carpool at the pullout for Gualala business directory just north of bridge at 9:30. Hikers with County Regional Park passes should drive. Please carpool if comfortable doing so as parking spaces on the first part are limited. We will first hike the two bluff sections of the trail. Then we will drive to the day use area and park. We will hike through the beautiful forested canyon, cross a small stream (if there is still water), then walk along the other side crossing back and retracing our steps  until we reach the path to the Cove for lunch.  After lunch we'll return to our cars. Dogs allowed on leash and hiking sticks helpful for a few steep spots and river crossings.  

Leaders: Mary Sue Ittner and Bob Rutemoeller

Photo credit: Bob R.

 

OCEAN RIDGE PARK (NEW)

 

Meet at 9:50 at the pullout for the Gualala business directory and at 10:00 at north side parking lot of Bower Park. This is a different type of Rambler’s hike as we will wander Ocean Ridge Drive, the trails and paths in Bower Park and will zigzag through the disk golf course of the Redwood Coast Recreation Center. We will end up having our lunch at the picnic area of Bower Park. 

Leader: Dona Dougherty

photo credit: April Paula & Phil

OHLSON RANCH TO BLUFF

Carpool at 10:45 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge. Start at the Ohlson Ranch parking area at 11:00 (just south of the white barn). Hang tags needed. Hike to the Bluff Trail at post 21 and head north for lunch at One-Eyed Jacks. Retrace steps stopping for cormorant viewing at the overlook near post #31, taking Cormorant close and walking through hedge row to Breaker Meadow Trail. Take it back to the barn and the Ohlson Center.  

Leader: Laura Bridge

 photo credit: Phil

 

KRUSE RHODODENDRON STATE RESERVE

Carpool at 9:45 at the pullout for the Gualala business directory north of bridge, or at the Stengel Beach Coastal Access parking area at 9:50. 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. Lunch will be on some friendly logs near our starting place. Dogs are not allowed on the Kruse trails. NOTE: The actual hike may vary a bit from the description. 

Leaders: Ken & Marian Brown

 photo credit: April