KRUSE RANCH ROAD TO PLANTATION

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Carpool at 10:30 at pullout for the Gualala business directory north of bridge, or at the Sea Ranch Lodge at 10:45. 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 11:00. 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. Lunch at Plantation 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.
Leaders: Diana and Dave Bower

TIMBER RIDGE POSH SQUASH WINTER ROAD HIKE

Meet at 10:00 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge and at 10:15 at end of Verdant View near Two Fish. Hang tags needed for non Sea Ranchers. Take the trail to the Posh Squash. View the garden, exiting on Timber Ridge Road.  Walk Timber Ridge, Fly Cloud, Westgate Drive to Timber Ridge, crossing Annapolis Road to Sea Ridge Road. Walk across Spring Meadow, turning east on the Spring Meadow Trail, turning left on Sorcerer Wood and doing a loop back to East Ridge Road and take trails or road to River Beach Road, Timber Ridge Road and back to the Business Center. Optional lunch at TwoFish at end.  For those wanting to eat at TwoFish be sure to call ahead to see if they are open and to order in advance: 785-2443.
Leader:  Tina Vasavada

CRISPIN LANE GRANGE POTLUCK

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Meet at 9:20 at pullout for Gualala business directory and at 9:30 at Anchor Bay (West side of Hwy 1) to carpool. We will drive to Crispin Lane in Manchester, parking at the Grange where we will leave our food for a potluck. Hike starts around 10:00 a.m.  Walk to the end of this county road. We will pass green fields and have lovely views of the ocean on our way back. This road starts out relatively flat and then goes slowly up so we'll coast on the return trip. We will end this hike with a potluck soup, salad, and dessert.  (Please pick one of those items to bring). We tried this formula last January and it was a great success. We suggest some communication ahead of time about what you plan to bring with the leaders so we have some of everything.
Leaders: Susan and Gary Levenson-Palmer

SALT POINT BLUFFS

photo credit: Sus

photo credit: Sus

photo credit: Sus

photo credit: Sus

photo credit: Sus

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Carpool at the pullout for Gualala business directory at 10:30 and at The Sea Ranch Lodge parking lot at 10:45. Start at 11:00 at Salt Point State Park. Turn west at Main Entrance and follow road down to ocean where the large parking lot is. Bring coupons if you have them. Hike the coastal trail along the bluffs starting at left side of parking lot. Continue north until you are at trail which descends into Stump Beach. If the weather cooperates, we will have lunch at a special spot Glen Forbes found for us. We will walk back by jeep trail which is inland of coastal trail. This section of Salt Point has interesting rock formations and often spectacular waves this time of the year. Dogs are not allowed on the Salt Point trails.
Leader: Harmony Susalla

LEEWARD ROAD - BLUFF TRAIL

Carpool at pullout for Gualala business directory just north of bridge at 9:50 and at the Del Mar Center at 10:00. Hang tags needed for non Sea Ranchers. Walk south on Leeward Road until it intersects Sea Pine Reach, accessing the meadow trail at Post 43B. If it is too wet, we can stay on the road until reaching Pacific Reach (Post 34B.) Turn right on Pacific Reach and walk until you intersect the Public Access trail to Shell Beach. Turn right on the Bluff Top Trail and follow it to Walk On Beach. Follow bluff (as much as possible) back until you get to post 49 where you take the "Portal Babbling Brook" connector to Tide Pool, Sea Drift and Leeward to the Del Mar Center. Lunch at the end in a suitable spot.
Leader: Linda Kennedy

GUALALA ARTS TO GREEN IRON BRIDGE ROAD HIKE

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Meet at 10:15 in back part of Gualala Arts parking lot. Start with one of the shorter Gualala Arts trail hikes. Then hike along the road down to the bridge and the end of the county road and back. Along the way we visit the campground this time of the year. There are some mild elevation changes on this hike and nice views of the Gualala River. We can eat our lunches at the Art Center at the end. If you haven't already had the opportunity to add to Harmony and Mary Sue's gratitude list as they try to reach 2013 things to be grateful for before the end of the year you'll have a chance today.
Leaders: Bob Rutemoeller & Mary Sue Ittner

GUALALA REGIONAL PARK NORTH SEA RANCH LOOP

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Christmas miracle Azaleas blooming! photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

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 Highway One if you do not have a pass.)  Cross the highway and pick up the new section of 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. Our leader may choose to lead us in singing Christmas carols along the way. Optional lunch at the picnic tables at the end.
Leader: Tina Vasavada