Visit 3: Trail Closures at Sugarloaf, Alternate Routes

3/19/2017
I arrived at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park at 10 am on a partly cloudy day. Beginning at the amphitheater, portions of Creekside and Hillside trails are closed due to recent rains. Trail repair could take over a month, according to staff at the Visitor Center. Therefore, I have rerouted and expanded the area that I will study. Instead of walking beyond the Neptune trail marker, I will add Lower Bald Mountain trail.

Today, I followed Lower Bald, Meadow and Hillside trails and returned through the campground. Plant communities are Grassland, Oak Woodland , Mixed Evergreen and Riparian (Hillside, Creekside trails).

In grassland along Lower Bald trail, wildflowers are blooming, including Nemophila menziesii var atomaria, Ranunculus, and Primula hendersonii. As I hiked uphill, I noticed signs of serpentine soil. Trees and shrubs included Quercus durata, Quercus agrifolia, Arctostaphylos, Ceanothus, and Umbellaria californica. Toxicodendron diversilobum (Poison Oak) was quite healthy and abundant, sporting an attractive red sheen for spring.

Dichelostemma capitatum and Nemophila menziesii var manziesii grew in semi-shade to sunny, open places near Quercus agricola. Along the shadier moist Hillside and Creekside trails, I found Claytonia, Delphinium, and Cynoglossum grande.

I took herbarium samples as well as photos for iNaturalist.

Posted on 22 de março de 2017, 12:16 AM by laurablatt