Bob Rutemoeller was out last Saturday when an approaching storm brought big waves. He visited the Gualala Bluff Trail, which overlooks the Gualala River and the Pacific Ocean. The ocean was flowing over the big sandbar that currently blocks the river from the ocean.

This big tree came down the river last year and wedged in the sandbar. It will be interesting to see if it gets pushed out to sea when the river opens to the ocean again.

Having ocean water enter the fresh water of the river is advantageous for any Steelhead that were trapped in luxury when the river last closed. The salinity of the ocean mixes with the river, giving the Steelhead a taste of what is to come.

Thanks to Bob for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To learn more about the Gualala Bluff Trail and other public access points, here is the website for the Redwood Coast Land Conservancy: http://www.rc-lc.org/