Tag Archives: Gualala Bluff Trail

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Two Gray Whales decided to swim close to shore near the mouth of the Gualala River. Photographers Tom Eckles and Ron Bolander were on the Gualala Bluff Trail with their cameras in hand. The first two photos are Tom's. You can see a fellow on the sandbar was having an up close and personal experience that day!

Gray Whale just off the mouth of the Gualala River by Tom EcklesPectoral fin of a Gray Whale by Tom Eckles

These next three are Ron's photos:

Gray Whale spouts by Ron BolanderGray Whale by Ron BolanderBarnacles cover much of the head of a Gray Whale by Ron BolanderIn this last photo you can see the head of this  Gray Whale is encrusted with barnacles. That means it is an adult. It is spy hopping - taking a good look around.

I wish I had been on the Gualala Bluff Trail while these two Gray Whales were making a personal appearance!

Thanks to Tom and Ron for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see much more of Tom's nature photography, here is the link to his website: www.tomeckles.com

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Yesterday, January 20th, there was a 7.2 high tide, a King Tide. King Tides are the highest of high tides. Watching the waves breaking over the sandbar of the Gualala River is exciting. And the Gualala Bluff Trail is the perfect place to be. When we first arrived there wasn't too much action but all of a sudden the waves were closer together. All at once the Pacific Ocean surged over the sandbar in multiple places. Wow!

King Tides washing over the Gualala River Sandbar 1.20.15 by Jeanne Jackson (Large)

The Gualala River is full because it is currently closed off from the ocean by the sandbar. It might take more storms to reopen it. Rain is in our forecast for next week. Here are some other photos of the event.

King Tides brought saltwater into the Gualala River by Jeanne Jackson (Large) King Tides by Jeanne Jackson (Large) Sandbar disappears under water during King Tides by Jeanne Jackson (Large) The Gulls were disturbed by the King Tides by Jeanne Jackson (Large)

In the final photo, which is washed out from the sun, you can see all the Gulls who were suddenly disturbed by the surging water.

To get to the Gualala Bluff Trail, there are two public access points. Between the Sandbar Restaurant and the Breaker's Inn there is a staircase access. And there is an access down the parking area of the Surf Motel. It seems like there is always something to see from this popular trail.

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We had another good storm last night so Rick and I went to the Gualala Bluff Trail to see if the Gualala River was close to opening. As of noon today it was still closed by the huge sandbar.

Gualala River still closed by Jeanne Jackson (Large)

Ocean waves are flowing over the sandbar in several places.

Ocean waves flowing over the sandbar by Jeanne Jackson (Large)

It will be interesting to see if the river opens up this weekend. There was a LOT of rainfall in the watershed and tributaries of the Gualala River. Perhaps it will open tomorrow. Our next chance of rain isn't until five or six days away.

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And the hits just keep on coming - one beautiful sunrise followed by a spectacular sunset. Paul Brewer was out photographing them. Here is the sunrise of Nov. 4th. Gualala Sunrise 11.14.13 by Paul Brewer And here is the sunset the night before, taken from the Gualala Bluff Trail with the sunset reflected in the Gualala River. Sunset from the Gualala Bluff Trail by Paul Brewer The Gualala Bluff Trail is a perfect place to watch the sunset. There are two public access points. The first is just to the south of the Breakers Inn and the second is the driveway/entrance to the Surf Motel. Thanks to Paul for allowing me to share these visions of loveliness. To see much more of Paul's nature photography, here is his website: http://www.capturingnatureswonders.com/

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Thursday's sunset was beautiful with the leftover clouds from a storm. This photo was taken from our deck in Anchor Bay.

Earlier that day, Rick and I - with our golden retriever, Huckleberry - walked along the Gualala Bluff Trail. The river was closed to the ocean by the sandbar. You can see the river has turned "Steelhead" green. When the river opens Steelhead will enter the river. Catch and release fishing will then be the order of the day.

To see a photo of a Steelhead in the Gualala River, here is the link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2012/09/01/adult-steelhead-photographed-by-peter-baye-in-one-of-the-reaches-of-the-gualala-river/