ALDER CREEK-MANCHESTER BEACH

 

Meet at 9:05 at pullout for Gualala business directory and at Anchor Bay (west side of Hwy 1) at 9:15. The hike starts at the public access from Hwy 1 on about mile marker 22.48 at 9:45. We will turn in at Alder Creek Beach Road, then turn directly left and park parallel to get in as many cars as possible on the road that parallels Hwy 1 Or we will park on the shoulder of the highway if this parking area isn’t accessible. We will walk down the road where it is closed until we come to the trail that leads to the environmental campground hoping to see iris, poppies, and baby blue eyes along the way and walk back via the beach if we can. We may change the direction of the hike depending on the wind. We will drive to Beverley Thompson's lovely garden to view spring flowers (rhododendrons and azaleas to name a few) and to eat our lunches afterwards. 

Leaders: Mary Sue Ittner and Bob Rutemoeller

mileage: 3.7

Photo credit: Mary Sue, Bob R, Laura B

 

GUALALA REGIONAL PARK NORTH SEA RANCH LOOP (A)

 

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: Steve Coffeysmith

photo credit: Laura B

 

HUGAL/SAG POND/LONGMEADOW LOOP (changed from scheduled)

I just scouted the hike that is planned for tomorrow and found that part of the trail is blocked off with no way around it. Instead of doing that hike, we will do a somewhat similar (Sea Ranch forest) hike:

Carpool at 9:45 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge or meet at 10:00 at Ohlson Rec Center (just south of the white barn). Hang tags needed. Cross the highway and take the Hugal RavineTrail to Seabird Road. Pick up the trail again at the end of Schooner Dr (post 109) and follow the Sag Pond Trail to Longmeadow Rd. Walk down Longmeadow to Greencroft Close and pick up the trails again at the end of Greencroft (post 238). Walk down the Longmeadow Trail, around the stables and end up back at Ohlson Rec Center. Lunch there or at Ohlson Beach.  

 

This hike has the same carpooling location and meeting times, but the hike starts at a different location. 

I will drive past the original starting point of the hike right at 10:00 to make sure there isn't anyone there that didn't get this message. I will then head back to the new starting point at Ohlson and will probably be 5-10 minutes late.

Sorry for the last minute change! - Laura B.

photo credit: Laura B.

 

KRUSE RANCH ROAD TO PLANTATION

 

Carpool at 10:00 at pullout for the Gualala business directory north of bridge, or at the Black Point Beach Coastal Access parking area at 10:15. Shortly after entering Salt Point State Park, drivers from the north should prepare to turn left on Kruse Ranch Road and drive to the official parking area for Kruse Reserve. There are no fees or passes required. Hike will begin from the Kruse parking area at 10:30. We will hike up the gravel road all the way to Plantation. The ascent is gradual, but the gravel large and often sharp, so sturdy shoes are recommended. In the late nineteenth century, Plantation was an important destination for travelers from San Francisco on their way to Gualala. It had the only hotel available. If it can be arranged, we will have our lunch in Bruce Johnson's Osprey Theater at the Plantation Children's Camp. After lunch it is all downhill. The views are spectacular. We will walk along several gushing creeks, and have views into deep forested canyons. This hike is a bit longer than our regular hikes, about five miles, but the rewards are great. 

Leader: Dona Dougherty 

photo credit: Dona & Laura B

 

POINT ARENA PUBLIC LANDS LOOP

 

Meet at 9:30 at pullout for Gualala business directory and at 9:40 at Anchor Bay (west side of Hwy 1) to carpool and start at Point Arena City Hall at 10:00. Walk north until you reach a road that will lead you to the bluff and spectacular ocean views. Follow the bluff north for a while to catch the spectacular middle section with views of the islands, ocean, and the Lighthouse before turning around and walking south along the bluff towards Arena Cove. This is mostly coastal grassland so there isn't much elevation change, but the ground is uneven and there are gopher holes so good hiking shoes are helpful.  A suitable lunch spot will be found with a good view before returning to the cars. 

Leader: Mary Heibel

 photo credit: Laura B, and John Petersen

GUALALA POINT PARK #5

Meet at the Hidden Parking Lot at 10:00 (on the west side entrance, just left after pulling past fee post.) Or park across the street and cross Highway One 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 as far as you can on the beach, turning around and retracing your steps and then hike south past the restrooms and along the bluff doing the loop for views of Whale Watch Point and then walking south until you reach the trail that goes south to Walk On Beach but take the trail that takes you back towards the Visitor's Center. Leader's choice for eating at the tables at the Visitor’s Center or walking back to the Hidden Parking lot and eating at the tables there.Leaders: John & Lynn Walton

photo credit: Laura B, Lynn, & April