GUALALA ROAD to GREEN IRON BRIDGE and GAC HIKING TRAILS

All photos by Bob Rutemoeller

Meet at 10:00 in back part of Gualala Arts parking lot. Walk the GAC trails before hiking along the road down to the bridge, and to the end of the county road and back. Eat lunch at the picnic tables at the Art Center admiring the stone walls. The Art-in-the-Redwoods show will still be up so people who missed it or want to see the art again without the crowds will be able to do so. There are some mild elevation changes on this sometimes shady road that follows the Gualala River. Hiking boots a good idea I think for the longer of the Gualala Arts Center trails as it is a forest trail.
Leaders: John & Lynn Walton

WALK ON JOYCE'S PROPERTY AND FROG SONG VISIT (New)

all photos by Bob Rutemoeller

Meet at 9:20 at pullout for Gualala business directory and/or at Bower Park at 9:30 to carpool. The final carpool spot will be at Ten Mile (Cutoff) Road and Eureka Hill Road at 9:50. Joyce Nugent will lead us to her house. She only has room for 4, perhaps 5, cars so car pooling is essential if very many people come. The hike starts in the back of  her house. Go through the meadow to a path that leads to a swimming hole at the Garcia River. Continue on this private road through the community area passing interesting out buildings including a studio, winery and an outdoor pizza oven. Keep going until you reach the creek on a logging road; continue on up a rather challenging hill. Then down the dirt road back to the house.  After walking this loop we will drive to Frog Song, Sandy Scott's amazing garden, where we will have an opportunity to explore all the special features. There will be a lot of inviting places in her garden where we can eat our lunches.

MANCHESTER STATE BEACH AND THOMPSON HEATHER GARDENS

All photos by Bob Rutemoeller

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 Highway One on about mile marker 22.27 at 9:45. We will turn in at Alder Creek Beach Road, then turn directly left and park on the road that parallels Highway One. We will walk to the ocean and then go south on the beach and then return. We will drive to the Thompson garden afterwards for lunch. There will be a little beach walking, but there aren't rocks to scramble over and Manchester Beach is very pretty.
Leaders: Mary Sue Ittner and Bob Rutemoeller

FORT ROSS GRASSLANDS AND COVE (New)

Photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Photo credit: Steve Coffey-Smith

Photo credit: Steve Coffey-Smith

Photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Carpool at 9:15 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge, and at The Sea Ranch Lodge at 9:30 or meet at Fort Ross State Park at 10:00. There is a charge of $8 per car for parking, $7 for the senior rate (62 and older.)  People who have passes should bring them. We will first walk north along the bluff exploring this undeveloped part of the park with lovely ocean views and then turn around and walk to the Fort. Most of this is grassland, but because of the wind most of the vegetation is not very tall except in a few places. Although the elevation changes are minimal, the ground is very uneven and the trails are not always visible so wearing good shoes is recommended. When we arrive at the Fort there is a choice. Those people who want to explore the Fort and have lunch at one of the picnic tables in the Fort can do so and the rest of us will walk to the Cove for lunch. Afterwards we'll all meet in the Fort and walk through it and back to the Interpretive Center and return to our cars. Dogs aren’t allowed on most of the Fort Ross trails.
Leaders: Mary Sue Ittner and Bob Rutemoeller

GUALALA POINT PARK - SEA RANCH NORTH

All photos by 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 north along the trail until you reach the park at post 78. Turn right and walk to the Visitor's Center for lunch and back to the Hidden Parking lot.
Leader: Linda Kennedy

HORSESHOE COVE--SALT POINT NORTH

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Meet at 10:00 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge to carpool and at The Sea Ranch Lodge at 10:15. Park at MM 44.00 at Salt Point. The turnoff is tricky; turnoff at MM44 even though the sign says Turnout 1/4 mile. This hike is quite steep in places so hiking sticks and boots are recommended. Hike on the trail staying right at the fork until you go over the crest of the hill and have a beautiful view of Horseshoe Cove. Descend sharply until you reach the Bluff. Walk south along the bluff until about 11:30 and retrace your steps until we reach a magical rock formation for lunch. The return to the cars after lunch will be uphill, but this is a gorgeous spot so worth the effort.
Leader: Harmony
NOTE: We ended up walking down the steepest part first and doing the beginning part of the loop at the end which made for an easier ascent. We will do this again in the future I believe.