MANCHESTER BEACH SOUTH

Meet at 8:30 at the pullout for the Gualala business directory and at Anchor Bay (west side of Hwy 1) at 8:45. The hike will begin at the Manchester State Beach Parking Lot (end of Kinney Road, about half a mile north of Manchester) at 9:15. We will access the beach and walk southwest to the Garcia River before returning. Last year it was so dry that the Garcia River did not reach the ocean and we will check it out again this year before returning. Lunch optional but the beach or the picnic tables in the campground are possibilities.  This is an earlier start because of the tides that day.
Leaders: Mary Sue, 884-4824 and Harmony

photo credit: Mary Sue & Laura B

mileage: 5.6 (to Garcia River and back) 

HUGAL RAVINE-LONG MEADOW LOOP

Carpool at 9:45 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge or meet at 10:00 at Ohlson Rec Center (just south of the white barn). Hang tags needed. Cross the highway to post 254A and take the Hugal RavineTrail* to Seabird Road. Pick up the trails again at the end of Schooner Dr. (post 109) and follow the Sag Ponds Trail to Ridge Trail via post 104, then right at post 103 to Sorcerer Wood at post 102. Pick up the trails again at post 314. Turn left at post 240 and take Long Meadow Trail down to Highway 1. Cross Highway 1 and take the bike and foot trails to Ohlson Rec Center. NOTE: If weather or mud is a problem the leader may reroute us onto more roads and fewer trails. Lunch at Ohlson Rec Center.  

*Hugal Ravine is steep. Please be prepared for elevation change during this hike. 

Leader: Laura Bridge

Photo credit: Laura B

STORNETTA T AND HUCKLEBERRY PICKIN'

Meet at 9:50 at pullout for Gualala business directory and at 10:00 at Anchor Bay (West side of Hwy 1) to carpool and start at Rollerville Junction 2 miles north of Point Arena at 10:20. Cars can park along highway 1 facing south. We will be hiking a T pattern. Starting down the road (aka Huckleberry Row) to the Loran Station we will first head south to some spectacular rock formations and then retrace back to the Loran Station and this time we will head north for some more great views of the lighthouse (weather permitting) and our coastline. After taking in the views we will return and eat our lunch near the blow holes (or find a spot out of the wind depending on the weather). Eventually we will retrace our way back along "Huckleberry Row" where those who want to may stay and pick huckleberries can and others can return by the road to their cars. Carpools should be done in a way to accommodate pickers and non-pickers. This is a relatively flat hike with only minor elevation change. 

Leader: Mary Heibel

photo credit: Laura B

 

SALT POINT LOOP

Carpool at 9:30 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge, and at the Black Point Beach Coastal Access parking area 9:45. Park at the call box parking area one-half mile south of Stump Beach on the east side of Highway 1 (south of MM 41.00). Take the trail on the east side of the highway. We will do a forest loop and then cross the highway and walk to 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. There 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 at Glen's Spot. After lunch continue on the trail to the Highway and carefully walk back to the cars. Dogs are not allowed on the Salt Point trails. Walking sticks are a good idea. This is potentially a bit longer hike, but it has both forest and bluff and a wonderful lunch spot. If its windy we may do the hike in reverse direction and lunch in the forest and if it’s been rainy it could be a bit wet in spots. 

Leader: Joel Chaban

photo credit: Laura B

 

 

Carpool at 9:50 at the Gualala business directory just north of bridge. Start at 10:00 at the Del Mar Center on TSR (hang tags needed for non Sea Ranchers). Hike north on the Del Mar Meadow Trail to the Bluff Trail, down the hedgerows and to the Salal Trail. Cross the highway by the entrance to the Regional Park and go through the gates to post 152. Walk up Haversack and make a right on Deer Trail, catching the trail at post 139. Turn right at post 138 and go through the tunnel under the highway, turn left on Tallgrass and walk back to the Del Mar Center. Lunch in the garden. 

Leaders: Steve Coffeysmith

photo credit: April & Laura B

 

GUALALA POINT PARK #2

 

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 Hwy 1 if you do not have a pass.) Hike on road going north till reach trail that accesses river bluff. Turn left on that trail and follow it till you reach Visitor Center parking lot. Just after visitor center veer right on grass trail which takes you toward beach. Cross paved path to beach and proceed past restroom to coast. Bear left on bluffs and continue on the Blufftop Trail to the Salal Trail intersection. Take the Salal trail back to the cars and as you enter the road to the visitor center, follow it a bit toward Highway until you see trail bearing right. Follow it back to Hidden Parking Lot

Note: hike was modified by the attendees since this was a leaderless hike - we did GPP, Whale Watch Point, Salal Loop

3.5 miles

photo credit: Bob R. 

STUMP BEACH LOOP

Meet at 9:50 at the pullout for the Gualala business directory to carpool and start at Stump Beach at the north end of Salt Point at approximately 10:30. We will park at Stump Beach and follow the trail down to the beach, crossing the stream and heading up the other side to the southern bluff tops. We will meander along the bluffs taking in the views and wildlife along the way. We will walk for an hour and then head back the way we came stopping at "Glen's Spectacular Spot" for lunch and then walk back to our cars. The bluff part of this hike is relatively flat but the trail down and up from the beach is steep and walking sticks are recommended. Dogs are not allowed on the Salt Point trails. 

Leader: Joel Chaban

photo credit: Laura B