Old Smith Ranch Preserve
A sweet little escape from the world
A moment of peace out in nature
I stopped walking for a moment to stand still and listen. There was a symphony going on out along the Old Smith Ranch Preserve trail. The thrum of some little bird’s wings in the bushes behind me crescendoed over the rhythmic baseline of insect clicks and chirrups and whirs. The softly sustained rustling of a chipmunk in the underbrush to my left was punctuated by the abrupt splash of a cormorant popping up from its underwater dive and skipping out into flight across the river. Over it all, an osprey sent forth its operatic cry of defiance to the world as it swung in stately circles above the hills across the water.
Gazing upriver
What a glorious sound, and what a serene and lovely view. I gazed out over the estuary of 10 Mile River as I continued to listen and absorb this peaceful moment. A single cormorant stood, still and sentinel-like, on the merest hint of a snag in the middle of the river, wings outstretched and head held proudly high. All around it, the light breeze was making the most mesmerizing ripples along the river as it gently nudged the surface of the water back upstream. I savored the rich and brackish scent of the estuary as I breathed in deeply, sighing out a little cloud of stress and distraction and giving myself wholly to the momentary occupation of watching the silent ballet of dragonflies going on over my head, each dancer a blue and shining jewel in the muted afternoon sun.
There were clouds of cheery asters along the way
This was just what I needed. A short break from the rest of the world. A quiet trail inviting me to step away from work and bills and deadlines of any and all sorts. A chance to explore and gain fresh perspective. A sweet little escape.
A hidden lookout spot near the beginning of the trail
Old Smith Ranch Preserve is the Mendocino Land Trust’s newest trail along the Mendocino coast. Just opened earlier this summer, this lovely little trail is located at mile marker 69.22 on Highway 1 north of Fort Bragg, just south of the bridge over 10 Mile River. At the trailhead, there is a nice parking lot and a picnic area that on sunny days has an amazing view out over the 10 Mile dunes and the ocean beyond. The first section of the trail is freshly carved out of the bushes and brush, with soft woodchips underfoot. Right when it joins up with the main trail, there is another little dirt path that spurs out through the trees to a secluded lookout spot with a handmade bench perfectly positioned for quiet contemplation of the river below and the hills beyond.
The very beginning of the trail
The main trail is an old, untraveled section of road that goes down toward the mouth of the river, with several lovely views along the way. Once it reaches the level of the water, it switches back to head upstream along the water, giving you an intimate and up-close connection with the life of the river for a ways. The trail ends at a gate marking the beginning of private property, at which point you can turn around and head back, enjoying all the views from the other direction.
Heading back towards the coast
From the trailhead down to the end and back is 2.1 miles. If you want to get in a few more miles or just need to explore for a little longer, right where the trail switches back to go along the river edge, it connects with another trail leading out to Inglenook Fen and the 10 Mile dunes and beach. See a trail map here.
So go! Escape from the world for a moment and enjoy the peaceful symphony of nature out along the Old Smith Ranch Preserve.
Words & pictures by Laura Hockett