Tag Archives: Gualala River

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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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Peter Cracknell wanted to see what the Wheatfield Fork of the Gualala River looked like from the Annapolis Road Bridge. Here's what he found.

The Annapolis Road Bridge over the Wheatfield Fork by Peter Cracknell The raging Wheatfield Fork of the Gualala River by Peter Cracknell

John Sperry was out by Stump Beach, which is found at Salt Point State Park, and this is what he found - a seasonal waterfall and stormy seas.

Seasonal waterfall north of Stump Beach by John Sperry Stormy seas off Stump Beach by John Sperry Waterfall at Stump Beach by John Sperry

Now we have a chance to dry out for a few days. After 28 inches in such a short time, we deserve a pause. Hello, sunshine!

Thanks to Peter and John for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

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A big, wet storm dropped a lot of rain on the Mendonoma Coast. At our house in Anchor Bay we received over 6 1/2 inches of rain in two days. The Garcia River flooded Highway One yesterday, closing the road. It reopened this morning. Chris Howard photographed the Gualala River yesterday and it was full to the brim and moving fast.

The Gualala River is full to the brim by Chris Howard The raging Gualala River by Chris Howard

The raging river blew out the rest of the sandbar to the north. The river is something to behold!

Thanks to Chris for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

If you are on the Mendonoma Coast tomorrow, Dec. 13th, the Ernest Bloch Bell Ringers will be performing their holiday concert at the Gualala Arts Center at 3 pm. I am the director/conductor, so you could have a sighting of me, along with the sound of beautiful handbells. Here is the group:

The Ernest Bloch Bell Ringers Summer 2014 by Rick Jackson (Large)

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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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Nancy Trissel was on a hike when she came across this endangered frog, the California Red-legged Frog, Rana draytonii.

California Red-legged Frog by Nancy Trissel

This frog is only found in California and a small part of Baja California. They are in serious decline due to habitat loss but they can be seen here on the Mendonoma Coast. They lay their eggs in the upper reaches of the Gualala River.

Here is another photo of this frog, taken by Darrell Paige.

California Red-Legged Frog by Darrell Paige (Large)

This frog is one of the many reasons we have to vigilant to make sure our watershed is protected from development.

Thanks to Nancy and Darrell for allowing me to share their photos with you here.