COOK'S BEACH

 

Carpool at the pullout for Gualala business directory just north of bridge at 10:15 or drive directly to the parking area west of Big Gulch Road (north of Gualala after mm 2.16) where you will meet the leader. We will start walking at 10:30. We will walk south along the Old State Highway and the route of the old railroad. We will explore where the Old Milano used to be before retracing our steps and then walking (carefully) north along Highway 1. This is a scenic corridor with nice views. We will do a short loop east of the Highway on Glennen for more views of ocean and houses before walking to Cooks Beach. Cooks Beach is a RCLC project providing public access to a sheltered beach. We will descend to the beach for lunch and then return along Hwy 1 to the cars. 

Leader: Joel Chaban

 photo credit: Laura B

POMO AND SALOON TRAILS

 

Carpool at pullout for Gualala business directory just north of bridge at 9:50. Start at 10:00 at the end of the cul-de-sac on Screech Owl (east on Halcyon, left on Deer Trail, left on Screech Owl.) Please try to carpool as we have limited parking hang tags which are needed for non Sea Ranchers Do the lower loop of the Pomo Creek Trail continuing to the end turning left on Deer Trail at post 146 and walking to post 148. Walk the Pomo Hillside Trail back to post 147, Deer Trail south to Halcyon where we will catch the Saloon Trail at post 141 and take it to post 133, walking on Deer Trail again and then walking across the highway, turning right on Leeward. Walk north to Tallgrass continuing until you come to the spot where the golf cart path passes under Hwy 1. Hike under the Highway and continue on the trail until you intersect the Saloon Trail. Turn left and walk north on the trail ending at Screech Owl and we will enjoy our lunches on Annie’s deck. 

Leader: Annie Pivarski

photo credit: Laura B, and Annie

POINT ARENA-STORNETTA PUBLIC LANDS BLUFFS

Meet at 10:00 at the pullout for the Gualala business directory and at 10:10 at Anchor Bay (west side of Hwy 1) to carpool and start at Point Arena City Hall at 10:30. Walk the trail next to the cove and then follow the bluffs for spectacular ocean views. Expect to see blow holes, sea arches and stacks, sink holes, caves, tunnels and more. We will find a nice spot for lunch along the way. We will walk to the Lighthouse, and the leader will return the carpool drivers to City Hall to retrieve cars. 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. 

Leader: Mary Heibel

photo credit: 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.). Please park in the enclosed courtyard if possible. 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. 

Leader: Steve Coffeysmith (absent)

photo credit: Laura B

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