PELICAN BLUFF

Meet at 9:35 at the pullout for the Gualala business directory and carpool at Anchor Bay at 9:45 at the south side of town on west side of highway. The hike will begin at the Pelican Bluff parking lot at 10:00. 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 will start our hike with the trail that goes to the bluff and then South, retracing our steps back to the parking area. After that, we’ll hike the loop that goes North and then down to the bluff, and finish up with the short loop in the center, eating lunch at the picnic tables. 

Leaders: Jeff Gyving& Lena Bullamore

 photo credit: Laura B

KING RIDGE

 

Meet at 9:30 at the pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge to carpool. 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 at an old cemetery. 

Leaders: John & Lynn Walton

photo credit: Laura B

 

ANNAPOLIS ROAD HIKE #1

Carpool at 9:15 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge and at The Sea Ranch Business Center Verdant View at 9:30 (turn right before you reach the Fire Station). We can park along the cul-de-sac by the building supply.  Sea Ranch members please bring along extra hang tags for non Sea Ranchers. We will drive east on Annapolis Road and park across from the Sonoma County Maintenance yard at 32700 Annapolis Road. Hike east along the road for about an hour or until we reach the wonderful old Madrone tree and return. On the return we will take a short side trip to look at the Old Annapolis school and the cemetery close to it. When we get back to our cars we will drive to the Annapolis Winery to eat our lunches at their picnic tables. This is a chance to see the land as it once was and compare it with the parcels that have been converted to vineyards. There is some up and down on this hike, but this stretch is flatter than what comes before or after. 

Leader: Mary Sue Ittner & Bob Rutemoeller

 photo credit: Bob R, Harmony

 

GUALALA POINT PARK BLUFF AND LOOP

Start at the 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.) 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 northernmost trail to the bluff. Hike to Whale Watch Point for the view and then hike to the bluff, turn south and walk along the Bluff Trail past Salal Cove. Between post 64 and 63 turn left walking through the hedge row and on Fish Rock Road to Leeward. Turn left on Leeward and walk until you intersect the Salal Trail. Turn right following it back to the highway and the Hidden Parking Lot.  Lunch at the picnic tables at the end. 

Leader: Annie Pivarski

 photo credit: Laura B

SALT POINT SURFER MEMORIAL (NEW)

 

Carpool at the pullout for Gualala business directory just north of bridge at 9:30. and start hike from Salt Point at 10am. We need to carpool because there are only a few parking spaces at the destination -- which is a short driveway to a gate on the ocean side of the highway at Salt Point just beyond the 44.0 Mile Marker (going south). You can park on either side of the driveway or on the berm that parallels the shoulder of the highway. Our hike will follow the fire road from the gate to the top of the hill that overlooks the ocean and then proceed down the hill to the bluff trail.  We will go south on the bluff trail to the grave/memorial of a surfer who died near a point that overlooks the ocean and stump beach.  We will retrace our steps going north on the bluff trail to a protected rock outcropping that overlooks the ocean and where we will eat lunch.  After lunch we will backtrack over the hill to our cars.  

Leader: Joel Chaban

 photo credit: Dona

 

GUALALA ROAD TO GREEN IRON BRIDGE & GAC HIKING TRAILS

Meet at 10:00 in the back part of the Gualala Arts parking lot or if the gate is up, park on the road in front of the Arts Center. We will walk one of the 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 Winter Wonderland exhibit inside (don’t forget to bring a mask). 

Leader: Harmony

 photo credit: Bob R, Mary Sue and Laura B

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 Reach (right on Breaker Reach, right on Hedgegate, left on Bluff Reach.). Walk left on Cormorant Reach and then left on Cormorant Close to the end of the cul-de-sac and enter the trail to check out the cormorant nesting area at the point. Continue along the bluff trail to Shell Beach and loop back via 33, 33A, and Cormorant Reach. Turn left on Cormorant Close and take 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 30 and return to the Coffeysmith’s to enjoy your bag lunch on their deck or inside, out of the elements.  

Leader: Steve Coffeysmith

photo credit: Laura B.