STORNETTA - HWY 1 TO CYPRESS ABBEY SECTION

Meet at 10:30 at the pullout for the Gualala business directory and at 10:40 at Anchor Bay (West side of Hwy 1) to carpool and start at the junction of Lighthouse Road and Hwy 1, 2 miles north of Point Arena at 11:00. We will travel the access road to the old Coast Guard Loran site (now owned by Mendocino Community College) turning left before we get there to enter that middle section of the Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands. From there we will walk through the "forest" to the bluff and enjoy the spectacular views of the off shore islands and the Ocean and find a suitable site for lunch before retracting our steps. 

Leader: Dona Dougherty

photo credit: Laura B & Gary LP

 

CRISPIN LANE

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 Manchester Community Center/Garcia Guild (formerly the Grange) and walk to the end of this county road. Hike starts around 10:00 a.m. 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. Afterwards we will find a suitable spot to have our lunch outside at the Community Center. NOTE: There are often loose dogs on Crispin Lane so you may not want to bring your dog. 

Leader: Mary Heibel

photo credit: Laura B and Gary LP

KRUSE RANCH ROAD TO PLANTATION (CHANGED TO SALT POINT)

 

Carpool at 9:30 at 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 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 10:00. 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. The views are spectacular. We will walk along several gushing creeks, and have views into deep forested canyons. The return trip is all downhill and we will have lunch at Kruse Reserve. This hike is a bit longer than our regular hikes, about five miles, but the rewards are great.  NOTE: We had to switch our hike today to Salt Point because they were doing a controlled burn at Kruse. It was warm and sunny and beautiful!

photo credit Laura B 

TIMBER RIDGE ROAD -- POSH SQUASH

Meet at 10:00 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge to carpool and/or at the end of Verdant View near the Ranch Cafe 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: Nancy Howard

 Photo credit: April & Laura B

PELICAN BLUFF

Meet at 9:35 at the pullout for the Gualala business directory and carpool at Anchor Bay at 9:45 at the south side of town on west side of highway. The hike will begin at the Pelican Bluff parking lot at 10:00. Please carpool if at all possible as there is limited parking. The Mendocino Land Trust has designed a 2.2-mile trail and this 73-acre preserve is home to the endangered Point Arena Mountain Beaver and several rare plants, as well as a creek (which is recovering from cattle grazing) and Bishop pine forest. We will start our hike with the trail that goes to the bluff and then South, retracing our steps back to the parking area. After that, we’ll hike the loop that goes North and then down to the bluff, and finish up with the short loop in the center, eating lunch at the picnic tables. 

Leaders: Jeff Gyving& Lena Bullamore

 photo credit: Laura B

KING RIDGE

 

Meet at 9:30 at the pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge to carpool. From Skagg's Spring Road turn on Tin Barn Road and drive to King Ridge Road and park. Hike King Ridge two miles (up) and return. This stretch is very beautiful in winter with mist, oak trees, and nice views. There is plenty of up and down on this hike. We will eat at an old cemetery. 

Leaders: John & Lynn Walton

photo credit: Laura B

 

ANNAPOLIS ROAD HIKE #1

Carpool at 9:15 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge and at The Sea Ranch Business Center Verdant View 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 & Bob Rutemoeller

 photo credit: Bob R, Harmony