GARCIA RIVER ROAD

 

It was overcast, cold, and very windy at the scheduled starting point close to the Lighthouse and the four hikers decided to change the location. We drove up Riverside Drive, parking at the top of Garcia River Road  (aka Buckridge Road) and carpooled from there to the bottom and walked the road up for about a mile and then back, skipping lunch. We were out of the wind, the sun came out and we enjoyed this beautiful forested road with lots of wonderful flowers.
Leaders: Mary Heibel, Bob & Mary Sue

Photo Credit: Bob & Mary Sue

GUALALA REGIONAL PARK NORTH SEA RANCH LOOP

 

Start at Hidden Parking Lot at 10:00 (on west side 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 on Deer Trail (post 147) enter the Pomo Creek Trail at post 146. Exit the trail at post 142, 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. Turn right and walk along the trail until you pass post 67, then take the Salal trail back to Gualala Point Park. We will have lunch at the picnic tables at the end.
Leader: None

Photo Credit: Laura & Dave

MILL BEND

The hike begins at 10:30 a.m. at the gate and entrance to Mill Bend. From Highway 1 on the south end of Gualala, turn onto Old State Hwy. Drive about 1/8 mile and take the first right onto a gravel driveway, drive up the hill a short distance and park by the gate. We’ll walk to the Mill Bend house (where folks can leave their lunches) then take the Toyon Trail followed by the River Rail Trail and the newly extended Sponge Forest Trail. We’ll walk back to the house, roam around the restored Gualala Cemetery and eat lunch at the picnic tables.  
Leaders: Lynn & John Walton, 707-884-9714

Photo Credit: Laura & Dave

KRUSE RHODODENDRON STATE RESERVE

 

Carpool at 9:45 at the pullout for the Gualala business directory north of bridge. Shortly after entering Salt Point State Park, drivers from the north should prepare to turn left on Kruse Ranch Road, just before Fisk Mill Cove. There is just a short drive to the official parking area. No fees and no passes are required. The hike will begin from the Kruse parking area at 10:15. We will hike the short Rhododendron trail connecting with Phillips Gulch Trail and return on the Chinese Gulch Trail. This is only a 2.5 mile hike. The first part is mostly up and the second part is mostly down (but no steep places). Fortunately, there are level places along the way where we can catch our breath. We will cross eight bridges over flowing creeks. This is a spectacular area. If the Rhododendrons are still in bloom we will have time to appreciate them and we often see Coralroot orchids and sometimes late flowering Calypso orchids in May. Lunch will be on some friendly logs near our starting place. Dogs are not allowed on the Kruse trails.

Photo Credit: Laura & Dave

SALT POINT LOOP #2

 

Carpool at 9:30 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge. Park at the call box parking area one-half mile south of Stump Beach on the east side of HWY 1 (south of MM 41.00). Take trail going south on east side of the highway up to the first fork. Take the left trail toward the Prairie, going up the hill, then stay right at each fork until coming out at the park entrance. Cross the highway and take the trail toward Gerstle Cove. Hike up the gravel road, pass the Information Center and go onto the headlands. Hike north on the bluff all the way to a rock outcropping in line with the call box on the highway, then continue for another few minutes toward Stump Beach. We will have lunch seated on some wonderful rock ledges, watch the crashing surf and see the salt pockets after which Salt Point was named. Walking sticks are a good idea! After lunch take the meadow trail back to the cars. Dogs are not allowed on the Salt Point trails.
Leader: Mary Sue Ittner, 707-884-4824

Photo Credit: Mary Sue, Bob, Harmony, Beth, Dave, Laura

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 not many 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: Stephen O’Leary

Photo Credit: Stephen, Laura, Dave

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. We will eat lunch back at the picnic tables at City Hall.
Leader: Dona Dougherty, 775-420-2265

Photo Credit: Laura & Dave