The Fog Dodgers meet every Sunday morning, and the start-time is 8:00.00 precise (according to Tom Time). Participants are encouraged to run/walk/bike at their own pace for an hour, usually going out for 1/2 hour then turning around and returning to the parking area in the remaining 1/2 hour. Immediately following the run/walk/bike, those feeling adventurous enough will visit a local restaurant for breakfast.
Below are a few of the locations where Fogdodgers can frequently be found:
SOUTH HARBOR
Head east on Highway 20 and turn left on South Harbor Drive (the third left turn, second after the turn into the Boatyard shopping center). Drive down the hill and meet in the large parking lot on the right. We can walk east then north along the Noyo River on Basin Street going as far as Dolphin Isle and/or a bit to the west to Tommy's Marine.
SPRING RANCH
Park across from the Inn at the Cobbler's Walk to the west side of Highway 1 across from Stevenswood and just north of the twisty curves in the road descending into Van Damme. Then we will walk along Highway 1 in front of the Inn at the Cobbler's walk for a short distance before venturing northwest on the trail.
COASTAL TRAIL - SOUTH (Taco Bell)
From Main St. in Fort Bragg, go West on Cypress St. (traffic light at Taco Bell). The parking lo and our starting point is next to the restrooms about 1/4 mile ahead.
From the carpark, the trail goes 2 ways. One goes north out to Johnson Rock along the Noyo Headlands Park trail. One goes south to the Noyo Bridge, joining with the Pomo Bluffs Park trail.
COASTAL TRAIL - MIDDLE (FIRE STATION)
From Main St. in Fort Bragg, turn West on Oak St. (Traffic Signal) and in approximately 100ft, turn right on Chief Celeri Drive. You can also enter from Main St, by turning West on Alder St. (Napa Auto on corner) in 100ft turn left on Chief Celeri Drive. The parking is behind the Fire Station between Oak and Alder. From the parking area you will see a fenced path that goes west and enters the middle of the Coastal Trail near a restroom. Once on the Coastal trail you can walk North towards Glass Beach or South towards the Noyo River mouth.
COASTAL TRAIL - NORTH (GLASS BEACH)
From downtown Fort Bragg, go north on Highway One, turn left (west) onto Elm St. At the stop sign, bear to the left into the car park.
The normal Fog Dodger route goes south from the carpark. If the runners get back to the carpark too quickly, they can also go north to Pudding Creek Trestle and on to the haul road.
PUDDING CREEK TRESTLE (HAUL ROAD)
From downtown Fort Bragg, go north on Highway One, turn left (west) onto Elm St. At the stop sign, turn right (north) onto Glass Beach Road. Parking is at the end near the trestle.
The normal Fog Dodger route starts at the south end of the Pudding Creek Trestle and follows the Haul Road north along the coastline.
The Noyo Headlands Park north trail also starts from this carpark. So another possible walk/run is south along the side of Glass Beach road, and continuing along the north Noyo Headlands Park trail.
POMO BLUFFS - NOYO BAY
From Hwy 1, at the south end of Fort Bragg, turn west onto Ocean View Drive (traffic signal at McDonalds). Follow Ocean View Drive west, then north, to the carpark. Beginning at the parking lot, the trail goes east, then past the south side of Noyo Point restaurant and onto the sidewalk that goes north across Noyo Bridge. On the north side of the bridge , follow the Noyo Headlands Park Trail to Johnson Point.
POMO BLUFFS - HARE CREEK
From Hwy 1, at the south end of Fort Bragg, turn west onto Ocean View Drive (traffic signal at McDonalds). Follow Ocean View Drive west, then north, to the carpark. Taking a circular route is around one hour for the walkers. Start going east and then turn south along Pacific Dr. Cross Ocean View and East along Bay. At the end of Bay, turn south on the sign posted trail and follow down to Hare Creek beach. On the way back there are number of choices - see map below.
MENDOCINO HEADLANDS
On Hwy 1 southbound, take Lansing St, the first exit right to Mendocino. Drive just under .5 Mi and turn right into Heeser Dr.
On Hwy 1 northbound, turn left at the traffic signals into Little Lake Rd, the second exit for Mendocino. Turn right into Lansing St at the 'tee' junction and drive .3 Mi north and turn left into Heeser Dr.
On Heeser, drive 300 yds to parking, toilets and our starting point.
There are a number of routes you can take. Going west you can keep to Heeser Dr or take the footpath along the cliffs and into town, cutting back acroos the headlands or through the high school. Go east to walk around Palette Dr and then into town and back through the high school. Plenty of choices.
WARD AVENUE
Beginning at the end of Ward Ave. From Fort Bragg, take Highway 1 north to mile post 65.2 (about 4 miles from the the center of Fort Bragg) and Ward Avenue is on the left (West). There's plenty of parking where Ward Ave turns sharp left (south). The Haul Rd. runs both north and south. South goes back to Laguna Point and north goes to the Inglenook Fens but most of the roadway has been washed away. It's a nice beach run or walk to the north.
Beginning on Gravel Pit Road. Take Highway 20 approximately 2 1/4 miles east from Highway One. Turn right onto Gravel Pit Road (just past the mobile home park) and go about 100 yards to the locked yellow gate. The Fog Dodger route follows Road 400 past the gate on Gravel Pit Road.
BIG RIVER ROAD (a.k.a. THE RON JAHELKA TRAIL)
Beginning at the trail-head on the east side of the parking lot for Mendocino Headlands State Park. Take Highway One south past the village of Mendocino. Turn left (east) at Big River Road. Follow Big River Road (staying to the left) for 1/2 mile to the public restrooms and the end of the parking area. Dogs are allowed on leash only. The Fogdodger route follows Big River Road via the gate just off the parking area.
JACKSON STATE FOREST ROAD 450 (along the south side of Hare Creek)
Take Simpson Lane 1.9 miles east from Highway One. You'll see a large parking area and gate on left-hand side of the street. The Fog Dodger route follows old Road 450 which is accessed via the gate in the parking area.
CASPAR LOGGING ROAD (JACKSON STATE FOREST ROAD 500) From Highway One, turn east onto Fern Creek Rd. (at the duck pond). After 1/4 mile, turn right onto Caspar Orchard Road. Take Caspar Orchard Road and go 1/4 mile, turning left onto Caspar Orchard Road, or stay on the road you're on, if you don't mind some horrendous speed bumps. Both roads go to the same place. If it is your first trip, go straight, there are no confusing forks in the road. Drive about 3/4 mile and you'll be at the junction of Rd. 500 and Rd. 600. Multiple routes are available - from gravel road to single-track paths - depending on the skill of the runner/walker/biker.
VAN DAMME STATE PARK
Beginning at the beach. Take Highway One south of the village of Mendocino for 2.7 miles. Park on the west side of Highway One along the beach. The Fog Dodger route leads into the state park through the main entrance gate.
NAVARRO RIDGE ROAD
Beginning at the Whitesboro Grange Hall. Take Highway one approximately 8.3 miles south of the village of Mendocino. Turn east at mile post 42.5 onto Navarro Ridge Road and travel 1 1/2 miles to the Whitesboro Grange Hall (on the left-hand side). Park at the Grange. The Fog Dodger route continues east up Navarro Ridge Road from the Grange. We usually stay for the Grange Breakfast after the run/walk/bike is completed. Breakfast is $6 per person and usually consists of ham, eggs, toast, coffee, orange juice, and homemade blackberry jam. **Allow yourself plenty of travel time to make the 8am starting time!**
RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK
Beginning on Point Cabrillo Drive, 1/10 of a mile north of it's south end. Take Highway One to the south end of Point Cabrillo Dr. (8.2 miles south of Fort Bragg or 1.7 miles north of the village of Mendocino). Turn west onto Point Cabrillo Dr. and follow it north for .1 mile. Park alongside the road, under the eucalyptus and cypress trees. The Fog Dodger route leads south, 1/10 of a mile, into the park through the main entrance gate.
TEN MILE RIVER LOGGING ROAD
Beginning on Hwy One at milepost 69.22, which is about 1/4 mile south of the Ten Mile River Hwy One bridge. Take Highway One north of Fort Bragg for about 7.5 miles. Park in the gravel parking area on the west side of Highway One. The Fog Dodgers route follows the Georgia Pacific Industrial Road alongside 10 Mile River.
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