Tag Archives: Redwood Coast Land Conservancy

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Last week Rick and I visited Hearn Gulch at mean tide. It was a beautiful clear day. We parked at mile marker 10 and headed towards the bluff. We could hear the wave action on the north end of the pocket beach. It sounds like this: "WHOMP!"

Below is a view of the pocket beach from the bluffs.

On the south end there is a sea tunnel. As we watched the tide began to come in, increasing the wave action.

 The staircase down is difficult. Some of the steps are quite tall and the stones are slippery. We needed to use the rope to get down and then get back up.

 The fine folks at the Redwood Coast Land Conservancy are to thank for bringing us this public access.

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Cook's Beach is one of the many accomplishments of the Redwood Coast Land Conservancy. Irene Leidner is project chair and did a wonderful job in bringing this coastal access to us all. She is being honored tonight at Gualala Arts Center and Rick and I will be there to cheer her accomplishments.

This past weekend, after a small storm blew through on Friday, was especially beautiful. The ocean was calm with no white caps. Cathleen Crosby photographed Cook's Beach and has graciously shared it with all of us here.

You can see that it is a lovely pocket beach, protected from the wind. It's a perfect place to let a friendly dog play on the beach and in the waves.

To read how to find this pocket beach, here's a previous Sightings post: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2012/02/12/cooks-beach-a-beautiful-pocket-beach-just-north-of-gualala/

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You don't often get to see a photo of one of our beaches taken from an airplane. Craig Tooley was up taking photographs for a seabird survey and he took the time to photograph Cook's Beach for us. Thanks, Craig!

To learn how to find this beautiful pocket beach, brought to us by the fine folks of the Redwood Coast Land Conservancy and other partners, here's the link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2012/02/12/cooks-beach-a-beautiful-pocket-beach-just-north-of-gualala/

And to see more of Craig Tooley's coastal photos, here's the link to his website: http://www.ruffimage.com/

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Cook's Beach is found north of Gualala. Drive up Highway One until you reach mile marker 3.14, then turn left at Route 526, which is the old Coast Highway. Just to your right is the entrance path to Cook's Beach. The trail is called Bonham Trail in honor of the Bonham family's easements, which made this access possible.

 Below is a view to the south from the overlook on top of the bluff.

 And here is a view to the north from the overlook. Since this is a pocket beach it is protected from wind.

It's a kid friendly beach, as well as dog friendly. And it's a perfect place to watch the sunset.

The Redwood Coast Land Conservancy brought us this wonderful access. To learn more about them, here's a link to their web site:  http://www.rc-lc.org/index.html

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Hearn Gulch was recently opened to the public due to the efforts of the Redwood Coast Land Conservancy. What a treasure this is! Found at mile marker 10.00 north of Anchor Bay in Mendocino County, there is parking for several cars.

It's an easy walk out to the bluff with Rick and Huckleberry leading the way.

Below you will see a dramatic fissure in the bluffs.
And here is the beautiful pocket beach, which is called Saunder's Landing. There is a trail down to this beach. The majority of the trail is easy but the last part is steep and the rocks were slippery. Ropes have been installed to help people navigate the lower part of the trail.

As we stood on the bluffs, the Pacific Ocean slammed onto the bluffs, making a loud booming sound and sending great plumes skyward.

And here is a sea tunnel. I will go back when the tide is right to see it in action. I believe I need to go at mean tide. We were on the tail end of a high tide yesterday.

In spring the wildflowers should be amazing. I am so grateful these acres were preserved so everyone can experience this beautiful place. Here's a link to the Redwood Coast Land Conservancy to see what other gifts they have given us: http://www.rc-lc.org/