BLACKPOINT BEACH WALK & BLACKPOINT-BIHLER POINT WILDFLOWER FOOTPATHS

Carpool at the Gualala Business Directory pullout just north of bridge at 9:45, and meet at the Black Point Beach Coastal Access parking area at 10:00. Walk north from the parking lot to the fire road. Turn left, then right to marker 1. Go down the stairs and walk on the beach to the north end, returning to the stairs (Note: The stairs are steep!). From marker 1, walk south to the first gate marked with the wildflower path marker and follow the path to Black Point, the barn, and Bihler Point. Continue on the marked path toward the Lodge, past the old sheepherder’s cabin, and turn left on the main trail. Follow the Bluff Trail from marker 1 to 3, turn right and continue through the hedgerow to marker 3C, then right on Moonraker to the fire road gate at Black Point Reach. At the end of the fire trail we will go to either the barn or the Lodge chair area for our lunches. Note: If it’s windy, the leader may modify the plan. 

Leader: Annie Pivarski

photo credit: Annie and Laura B

 

CHAPEL AND AZALEA TRAILS

 

Meet at 9:50 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge to carpool or at the Sea Ranch chapel at 10:00. Hang tags needed for non Sea Ranchers. Walk north along the Chapel Trail through meadow, forest and ravine. Return on the Azalea Trail, which leads to the Chapel Trail; follow it south back to the Chapel. There are moderate elevation changes on this hike. Those who want to can use the newly installed bench or the rock wall close to the chapel to sit down for lunch at the end. 

NOTE: Hike was modified due to trail closure

photo credit: Laura B 

MOAT CREEK #3

Meet at 9:35 at the pullout for the Gualala business directory and carpool at Anchor Bay at 9:45 south side of town on west side of highway. Start at Moat Creek at MM 12.77 on way to Pt. Arena at 10:00. Hike the bluff south to Bowling Ball Beach.  Walk south on the beach to Schooner's Gulch and then return via beach and bluff to Moat Creek for lunch. The hike is mostly level, but there are two short steep stretches (up one way and down another). The beach can be rocky and a bit challenging to walk on in a few stretches. There are often nice wildflowers this time of the year along the bluff and Schooner's Gulch at a low tide is a sight to behold. 

Leaders: Jeff Gyving & Lena Bullamore

 photo credit: April & Jeff

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.