Noyo Coastal Headlands Trail- South

Nicest morning we've had in awhile, it was great to be out.  We were hoping that the two halves of the Coastal Trail would be connected for this one but they aren't.  The Fort Bragg City Planner has told me that they are hoping to open it all around mid-February, others have heard March.  It will really be nice whenever they do, and I'm sure that Joel will be relieved to not have to circle so many times.

Noyo River and harbor entrance, J. Loomis

It was 43 degrees and the sky was mostly sunny.   The ocean and was beautiful with lots of whitewater nearshore.  It seems as though it was warmer for Roger and Nancy's hike/kayak adventure:

photo from Roger, thank you!

Present today:  Gay, Mark, Cheryl N.,, Neil, Joel, Lucinda, Toni, Joe, Charlene, Ron, Nancy B., Rick, Rod, John, Nancy and Tom (16).  Nine of us enjoyed breakfast and conversation at David's Restaurant afterwards.

Noyo Mooring Basin, J. Loomis photo

NEXT SUNDAY, FEB. 4TH, 8:00 A.M., GROUP RUN AND WALK, CASPAR LOGGING ROADS.

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUNS AT 7:00 A.M.  TUESDAYS AT BIG RIVER AND THURSDAYS AROUND MENDOCINO, BEGINNING AT THE HEESER DR. RESTROOMS.

Big River

Big River, J. Loomis photo

It was 44 degrees and breezy at our 8:00 a.m. start.  We

succeeded though, in keeping everyone from jumping 

the gun, which is what often happens when the conditions

are such.

We returned  to Big River today.  We had stopped running and hiking there last August, due to mosquitoes and pending road construction.  State Parks installed a really nice bridge where there was formerly a culvert.  There was a threat of a "blowout" of that culvert in a heavy storm and by removing it and all of the soil above it, they could restore the creek and create salmon spawning habitat.  At least that it what I was told and it makes sense.

     

Big River also, thank you, John.

Sunday, Jan. 28th, Noyo Headlands Park - South, across from Taco Bell.  It said in the Advocate News that the two halves of the Coastal Trail are now connected and to open in January.  I checked this week with the City Planner and was told that they are hoping for "mid February", so maybe in three weeks or so.




Present today:  Gay, Mark, Shari, Peter, Tom T., Joe, Nancy T., Roger, Nancy B., Rick, Geri, Cheryl N., Neil, Liz, Bob, Jan, Ron, John, Nancy and 
Tom (20).




NEXT SUNDAY, JAN. 28th  @ 8:00 A.M.: GROUP RUN AND WALK, NOYO HEADLANDS PARK - SOUTH.  (see "Our Routes" above).


EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN @ 7:00 A.M.:   Tuesdays at BIG RIVER LOGGING ROAD  and Thursdays around MENDOCINO, beginning at the restrooms on Heeser Dr.

UPPER RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK

J. Loomis photo

Today's run/walk was an experiment.   I always welcome suggestions for new venues and today's was a request.  I think it will work out great in the future, with a better job by me in describing the venue.  I apologize for not describing the routes with more detail.  Today's, was either uphill or downhill, but rarely flat.  That doesn't work well for some and is perfect for others.

Russian Gulch waterfall, J. Loomis photo

Thanks, Zelda, for this photo

It was 53 degrees at our start, a perfect morning!  Present today: Zelda, thanks for bringing back, Lala, Karl and Andreis, Charlene, Catherine, Nancy B., Rick, Cheryl N., Neil, Shari, Peter, Toni, Joe, 

Geri, Nancy T., Roger, Joel, Bob, Nicole, Cheryl, Rod, Jan, John, Nancy and Tom (26).

Next week, we will go back to Big River.  We haven't gone there since being chased out by the mosquitoes last summer.  It will be fine now and you will get to see the new bridge, which is now completed.    On the following week, we will again run and walk the Noyo Headlands Park - South.  It should now be connected to the North trail, which will make it a great venue for all, whether you go short or long.

Sunday, Jan. 21st, Big River, the Big River Road is again open and for the time being, mosquito free.

Sunday, Jan. 28th, Noyo Headlands Park - South, across from Taco Bell.  It said in the Advocate News that the two halves of the Coastal Trail are now connected and to open in January, we will see.


NEXT SUNDAY, JAN. 21st  @ 8:00 A.M.: GROUP RUN AND WALK, BIG RIVER LOGGING ROAD.


EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN @ 7:00 A.M.:  MENDOCINO, beginning at the restrooms on Heeser Dr.

POMO BLUFFS - HARE CREEK - NOYO BAY

It was a beautiful morning but cold.  It was 40 degrees at start time and whichever way we chose to go, there would be a little breeze of about 5 mph into our faces.  It makes for watery eyes and drippy noses but it's all good!

thanks, Nancy, for a photo of today's venue
Photos are all "clickable", bringing up a much larger image

Tomorrow it's going to rain.  The breeze has already swung around to be SSE, so as we ran, it was hard not to notice the smell of pancakes and bacon that must have come from David's.  On cold mornings, it just kind of hangs in the air.

I'm not sure if that had any effect upon Joe, he had made a resolution to eat healthy in 2018.  When we went to David's for breakfast, he ordered this special................

Way to go Joe! (if you have trouble seeing, that is vanilla atop blueberry)

We had a small group today:  Joe, Toni, Geri, Nancy T., Roger, Shari, Cheryl N., Neil, Charlene, Ron, Jan, Nancy and Tom (13).

Raven, J. Loomis photo

sunny bench, Pomo Bluffs Park, J. Loomis photo

Sunday, Jan. 14th Upper Russian Gulch State Park, beginning on Road 409, 3.2 miles east of Hwy One.  It is right where the paved road ends and there is a sign that says, "Horse Camp".  Sections of the trail may be muddy.  Also, you'll need to use your watch to know when to turn around.  Runners may do a loop course but hikers probably an out and back route.

Sunday, Jan. 22nd, Big River, the Big River Road is again open and for the time being, mosquito free.

Sunday, Jan. 29th, Noyo Headlands Park - South, across from Taco Bell.  It said in the Advocate News that the two halves of the Coastal Trail are now connected and to open in January, we will see!

NEXT SUNDAY, JAN. 14TH, 8:00 A.M., GROUP RUN AND HIKE,  Upper Russian Gulch (described just above).  This is a beautiful trail leading to the Russian Gulch Waterfall.  Maybe this week's rain will bring the waterfall flow up.  The rain may also have left sections of the trail muddy, so be prepared for that.

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN @ 7:00 A.M.:  MENDOCINO, beginning at the restrooms on Heeser Dr.