SALT POINT WATERFALL LOOP 2 (new)

Carpool at 9:15 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of the bridge and at The Sea Ranch Lodge at 9:30. Park on Hwy 1 south of Campgrounds (leader will show drivers where).  There is room for 3-4 cars here so carpooling is important. We will walk the trail past the waterfall and down to the bluffs where we will head south to the Sleeping Lion and then back north along the bluffs until we reach the paved road which we will walk back to the park entrance. From there we will cross Hwy 1 carefully and walk through the east side campground, and will then pick up the trail back to Hwy 1, where we will cross the road again and return to our cars. Parts of the trail may be muddy depending on weather and the path is steep in areas so plan accordingly. We will have lunch at the Two Fish Bakery in Stewarts Point. If you want to buy a sandwich at the store, please call ahead with your order (707-785-2011) or you can bring your lunch.
Leader: Harmony
Mileage: 3.7
photos contributed by Harmony, Liberty/Leader Laura, Wildflower Laura and Mary Sue

ANNAPOLIS ROAD HIKE #1

Carpool at 9:15 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge and at The Sea Ranch Business Center on Annapolis Rd at 9:30. Turn right before you reach the Fire Station. We can park along the cul-de-sac by the building supply.  Sea Ranch members please bring along extra hang tags for non-Sea Ranchers. We will drive east on Annapolis Road and park across from the Sonoma County Maintenance yard at 32700 Annapolis Road. Hike east along the road for about an hour or until we reach the wonderful old Madrone tree and return. On the return we will take a short side trip to look at the Old Annapolis school and the cemetery close to it. When we get back to our cars we will drive to the Annapolis Winery to eat our lunches at their picnic tables. This is a chance to see the land as it once was and compare it with the parcels that have been converted to vineyards. There is some up and down on this hike, but this stretch is flatter than what comes before or after.
Leader: Mary Sue Ittner
mileage: 4.9

GUALALA POINT PARK BLUFF AND LOOP (rained out)

photo by Mary Sue Ittner

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 you can park across the street and cross Hwy 1 if you do not have a pass. Walk through the Serge Poles and then cross the road to the bench overlooking the Gualala River. Take the trail from there that leads to the Visitor Center and from there the northernmost trail to the bluff. Hike to Whale Watch Point for the view and then turn south and walk along the Bluff Trail past Salal Cove. Between post 64 and 63 turn left walking through the hedge row and on Fish Rock Road to Leeward. Turn left on Leeward and walk until you intersect the Salal Trail. Turn right following it back to the highway and the Hidden Parking Lot.  Lunch at the picnic tables at the end.
Leader: Linda Kennedy

This hike was rained out. Two hearty souls showed up (Mary Sue & Harmony) and Foxie. We did alternate hike for an hour starting at GPP - including some impressive water features and LOTS of puddles.

CURLEY LANE

all photos by: Gary Levenson-Palmer

Meet at 9:50 at pullout for Gualala business directory and at Anchor Bay (west side of Hwy 1) at 10:00. There is only room for about 3 cars on Hwy 1 by Curly Lane so if we have more we will need to drop off hikers and leave cars at Moat Creek. Curly Lane is a dirt road that passes through pleasant scenery (green meadows, ponds, cows) making you forget where you started until you see the lovely views of the ocean on the return. This is a short hike, sometimes windy, mostly level but some up and down. Afterwards those people who are interested can drive to the Point Arena harbor for lunch.
Leaders: RAIN - 5 hearty souls showed up!

TIN BARN ROAD TO KING RIDGE ROAD

Meet at 9:15 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge to carpool and at The Sea Ranch Lodge parking lot at 9:30. From Skagg's Spring Road turn on Tin Barn Road. Park where there are logs next to the road, south of Odiyon. Start at 10:00 and walk to King Ridge Road and back, lunching at the end where there are logs along the road you can sit on. This is a road hike, but with lovely green vistas in the winter and glimpses of the Buddhist Temple on the return.
Leaders: Ken and Marian Brown

NOTE: We celebrated the end of an era - 15+ years of Mary Sue's organizational leadership of the Thursday Ramblers! Thank you Mary Sue!

TIMBER RIDGE ROAD -- POSH SQUASH

All photos contributed by Bob Rutemoeller

Meet at 10:00 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge to carpool and/or at the end of Verdant View near Two Fish at 10:15. Hang tags needed for non Sea Ranchers. Walk on informal path west to Timber Ridge Road. Walk south on this road until the end of the road. This is a forested road with ups and downs so a hiking stick could be helpful but is not mandatory. When we reach the end, we will turn around and walk back stopping at the Posh Squash where there are picnic tables where we can eat our lunch and survey the vegetable gardens.
Leader: Laura Bridge

SALT POINT BLUFFS/SLEEPING LION

Photos contributed by Bob Rutemoeller, Mary Sue Ittner and Gary Beall

Carpool at the pullout for Gualala business directory at 9:30 and at The Sea Ranch Lodge parking lot at 9:45. Start at 10:00 at Salt Point State Park. There is a fee for parking so if anyone has a pass, please bring it. Hike past the Visitor’s Center and walk to the South Gerstle Cove Picnic Area. From here we will follow the bluff as closely as possible. The rock formations and views from the bluff are outstanding and at this time of the year there are often fireworks waves. The paths are rough and eroded in places and walking sticks and boots are recommended. Our leaders will point out a "sleeping lion" rock formation. We will turn around at some point and return to the picnic area for lunch.  Dogs are not allowed on the Salt Point trails.
Leaders: Bob Rutemoeller & Mary Sue Ittner