KENNY & ROBERT’S FARM

 

Carpool at the Gualala Business Directory pullout just north of the bridge at 9:45 and at Anchor Bay (west side of Hwy 1) at 10:00. Those that live North of Anchor Bay can meet to carpool at the Point Arena City Hall at 10:15. The hike starts at 10:30 at Kenny and Robert's farm, which is located at 43700 Mountain View Road in Manchester (the driveway is on the left, about 1/2 mile from the intersection at Hwy. 1). The distance is unknown, but this is probably a shorter hike than usual. There is some flat, and there is some hilly. It takes probably an hour and a half, if not moving too fast and enjoying the beauty, to walk the whole thing. Optional lunch at the end of the hike. Bring your “sit-upon.” No dogs are allowed since there are farm animals roaming about.
Leaders: John & Lynn Walton

photo credit: Laura

FORT ROSS ROAD WILDFLOWER HIKE

 

Carpool at the Gualala Business Directory pullout just north of bridge at 9:00. Start at 10:00 at Meyers Grade Rd. and Fort Ross Rd. We will shuttle a few cars to leave at Bohan Dillon Road. Walk down to Bohan Dillon Road on Fort Ross Road (about 625 ft elevation change) and continue past it to the Niestrath Rd. junction and return to Bohan Dillon Road. Some people may choose to continue walking back up the hill while others drive to the top to get the cars left there. After we have everyone again in their vehicles, we will drive to the Fort Ross Orchard where we will have our lunch with hopefully spectacular views. This is a bit farther hike than usual, but when we went there in 2016 there were wonderful flowers.  
Leader: Mary Sue Ittner

photo credit: Mary Sue and Dale

mileage: 3.7

BLACKPOINT BEACH WALK & BLACKPOINT-BIHLER POINT WILDFLOWER FOOTPATHS

 

Carpool at the Gualala Business Directory pullout just north of the bridge at 9:45, and meet at the Black Point Beach Coastal Access parking area at 10:00 (there are a limited number of spots at this parking area so please carpool). 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: Laura Bridge

photo credit: Laura B

Seaside School Road Hike

Meet at 9:30 at pullout for Gualala Business Directory to carpool to Cooks Beach. Try to park off the pavement at Cooks Beach as there have been parking tickets issued in the past for cars parked on the pavement. The walk begins at 9:45 going north along Highway 1 for about one block to St. Orres.  We will cross the highway to St. Orres and will walk up Seaside School Road to Old Stage Road to the top of the ridge, stopping as frequently as necessary to rest our legs and drink water. Once we reach our destination, we will return to Cooks Beach by going downhill on Seaside School Road.  We will eat lunch at Cooks Beach.  This is a very steep walk uphill and downhill, so bring your hiking poles.  It is very pretty with pastures, forest, and homes along the road.  The road is paved for the first and last third of the hike.  The middle third is dirt road and is not usable by vehicles.
Leader: Joel Chaban

photo credit: Beth R

GUALALA ROAD TO GREEN IRON BRIDGE AND GAC HIKING TRAILS

 

Meet at 10:00 in back part of the Gualala Arts parking lot. 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 art shows inside.

Leader: April Dammann 

photo credit: Laura B

 

TIN BARN ROAD TO KING RIDGE ROAD

Meet at 9:15 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge to carpool. From Skagg’s Spring Road turn on Tin Barn Road and park at the corner of Tin Barn and Kings Ridge Road. Start at 10:00 and walk to Odiyon entrance and back, lunching at the end at the cemetery on Tin Barn Road. This is a road hike, but with lovely green vistas in the winter and glimpses of the Buddhist Temple. 

Leaders: Harmony  & Annie Pivarski

mileage: 5.9

photo credit: Bob R

 

LONGMEADOW TRAIL/BLUFFTOP TRAIL LOOP

 

Carpool at 9:50 at the pullout for the Gualala business directory north of bridge or meet at 10:00 at the Stengel Beach Coastal Access parking area. Walk south to the Ohlson Ranch Center and cut through the Demonstration Garden to take the trail between the highway and the Ohlson Ranch Center. Cross the highway at Headlands Reach and take an immediate left on a trail off Headlands Close (mm 53.00). Upon reaching Longmeadow Trail follow it south and up hill. At a trail crossing take a right on Spur Close Trail. This trail goes downhill almost to Spur Close in order to go around trees along a creek, then uphill again through a wooded area. Reaching a bifurcation, take the right hand fork down to the highway. Cross and walk down Navigator's Reach, then walk north on the Blufftop Trail to the starting point, saying hello to the seals at Green Cove's Marine Preserve along the way. Eat at Ohlson at the end. 

Leader: Laura Bridge

photo credit: Laura B