April 1, 2007 at 2:25 pm
by bruce
· Filed under general, diving
Safety Tips for Abalone Drivers
This item appears on the State of California website about the start of the Abalone Season on the Mendocino Coast:
“Starting April 1, the season reopens for divers and shore pickers to hunt for California’s famous red abalone in waters north of San Francisco Bay.
The open season for the delectable mollusk will run from April 1 through June 30 with a one-month closure during July to give the resource a “breather” at a time of year when abalone take has traditionally been high. The season resumes on Aug. 1 and runs through Nov. 30.
Regulations governing the sport take of red abalone have helped to preserve the tradition of abalone diving and shore picking in northern California for nearly 100 years. For 2007, red abalone regulations include:
• Free divers and shore pickers (16 years or older) must possess a valid sport fishing license as well as an Abalone Permit Report Card (also known as a “punch card”). The use of scuba is prohibited.”
For more, check out the state news release.
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February 22, 2007 at 9:13 am
by bruce
· Filed under hikes, biking, walks, diving, favorites, parks
Long before I moved to the Mendocino Coast, Russian Gulch State Park, one mile north of Mendocino Village, was my favorite state park. I camped there at least 20 times over 25 years. That’s saying something when there are so many great state parks in Northern California.
What’s so great about Russian Gulch?
How many state parks have a waterfall, a beach, redwoods, picnic area on a bluff overlooking the ocean, a blow hole, bike trail up a fern canyon and a limited number of quiet campsites, many completely private from your neighbor?
My favorite hike is the North Trail. It’s 2.3 miles long (one-way) and climbs up short switchback through ferns and redwoods, then levels off for a very secluded walk toward the park’s waterfall. Most people stay on the paved bike/hike trail below. It’s fine, too. But if you want to get away from other campers and hikers, only a fraction of visitors use it.
When you come to the end, you can go left .7 miles to the waterfall, or take a 2.3 mile alternate loop to the waterfall. 
From the beach you can launch you dive raft or kayak or sit in the evening and watch the sunset. Forget about swimming since the water is around 54 degrees.
There are several places along the coast with blow holes, sea caves without roofs that shoot a huge spray of water upward when a wave hits. Really a mesmerizing sight. The blow hole is west of the picnic area, before you drive down to the campgrounds.
It’s not difficult to see why Russian Gulch has been my favorite park all the years I lived in the Bay Area.
Today, I live just two miles from Russian Gulch and find every opportunity to hike or walk to the falls. Locals have a secret, one-mile route to the falls, but it’s a bit complicated to explain. And, if I tell you, then it’s no longer a local secret.
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