INTERMEDIATE: Salt Point State Park & Kruse Rhododendron State Natural Preserve

Starting from Gerstle Cove, we will hike to Stump Beach and back. Exceptional wildflower displays and fascinating, lace-like tafoni rock formations along the bluffs - 3.3 miles with little elevation gain. Then we will drive about two miles to the parking area at Kruse Rhododendron State Natural Preserve to hike the Rhododendron/Phillips Gulch loop - 2 miles with about 200 feet elevation gain at most. Charming woodland trail, hopefully with wild rhododendrons blooming. Option to add another 2 miles and 300 feet elevation gain in Kruse Rhododendron Preserve  for those who wish with car shuttle between Stump Beach and Kruse. Bring water, lunch, poles, sunhat, sunscreen, and a windbreaker as it can be quite blustery on the coast even when it’s hot in Santa Rosa. Restrooms at Gerstle Cove. Leave Berger at 8:30 am due to long drive (about an hour and 45 minutes). Hike Leader Florentia Scott, hikingscott@yahoo.com, (707) 591-1929.