The Hiking for Fitness Series is back! Join us for the Beginner Hiking for Fitness program, where the leaders will guide you on a series of 8 weekly hikes with the challenge increasing each week. Before the first hike, the leader will discuss proper shoes, hydration, incorporating hiking poles, proper pacing, etc. The group’s final hike aims for the long route up Vista Trail, where hikers can enjoy the beautiful vistas.

The following is a list of possible routes specifically selected for this hiking series:
1) Sat 1/7 — White Barn to Uranus, 2.2 miles, 80 ft elev [meet @ white barn]
2) Sat 1/14 – Lower Bald & Creekside loop, 1 mile, 115 ft elev [meet @ main lot]
3) Sat 1/21 — Hillside-Meadow loop starting and ending at campground, 3 miles, 250 ft elev [meet @ white barn]
4) Sat 1/28 – Jack London State Historic Park, May’s Clearing loop, 3.7 miles, 430 ft elev [meet @ 2400 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen, CA 95442, upper parking lot]
5) Sat 2/4 – Stern, Pony Gate and Canyon, 3 miles, 500 ft elev [meet @ main lot]
6) Sat 2/11 – Brushy Peaks to Neptune picnic table, 4.3 miles, 640 ft elev [meet @ white barn]
7) Sat 2/18 – Sonoma Valley Regional Park loop, 4.6, miles, 531 ft elev [meet at Valley of the Moon Trailhead on Arnold Dr.]
8) Sat 2/25 – Hillside + Vista Trail loop (counter-clockwise), 4.7 miles, 1000 ft elev [meet @ white barn]

Please note these routes are subject to change. Wear appropriate footwear for muddy or slippery trails and layers, as the group hikes in light rains. Bring at least a quart of water, and if desired, a snack. The group will be limited to 35 participants.

The hiking series costs $80, or free-of-cost for participants with a December 2022 ParkRx from a Sonoma County Medical Provider. Click here for ParkRx info. The number of available ParkRx tickets is limited; please have your ParkRx ready at the time of sign up.

[Español abajo]

Enjoy the beauty of this special place in Sonoma Valley while joining our wonderful community of volunteers. Volunteer with Team Sugarloaf and become an integral piece in keeping Sugarloaf Ridge State Park operating. Join us for an orientation on January 28, 2023, from 1:00-4:00 pm to learn about the history of Sugarloaf, how Sonoma Ecology Center operates the park, and what volunteer opportunities we have. The orientation will take place at the Robert Ferguson Observatory classroom followed by a volunteer social potluck at the group camp from 3:30-5:00 pm where you can meet some of our active volunteers.

Volunteers play a vital role at Sugarloaf. We have a host of volunteer opportunities to restore and maintain this natural treasure and to help to keep Sugarloaf open to the public. Initial training is provided, with periodic docent enrichment events. We need volunteers to:
– Become docents at the Visitor Center
– Direct visitors at the entrance kiosk
– Assist with data entry
– Aid project research and grant-writing
– Work on trail and park maintenance projects
– Facilitate special events and parking
– Spanish/English literacy and conversational fluency is a plus

View more volunteer opportunities and specifics in our website. Experience is not necessary but welcomed, as well as a willingness to learn and the desire to share that knowledge with our visitors. We ask for a minimum of 4 hours per month of volunteer service. Registration is required. Bring a notepad and pen, a reusable drink container for warm beverages, dress in layers, and if you feel inclined, bring something to share at the potluck.

Ease of access: the Robert Ferguson Observatory has an ADA-compliant wooden deck/ramp to access the classroom. There is one van-designated parking spot and although not ADA or van designated, there is lots more parking adjacent to the Observatory/group camp. The group camp is a large area to the left of the Robert Ferguson Observatory. The ground is a mix of soil and woodchips navigable on a power chair. There is an accessible porta-potty, and a water spigot on site. The picnic tables and benches are not ADA-compliant but are available.

¿Aún no tienes una resolución de Año Nuevo? ¡Considera unirte a una comunidad de voluntarios con Team Sugarloaf! Acompáñanos en una orientación para voluntarios nuevos el sábado 28 de enero de 1:00 a 4:00 pm para aprender acerca de la historia del Sugarloaf, cómo Sonoma Ecology Center opera el parque, y oportunidades de voluntariado. La orientación será en el aula del Observatorio Robert Ferguson, seguida por un convivio estilo potluck en el área de acampar en grupo de las 3:30 a las 5:00 pm, en donde podrás conocer a algunos de nuestros voluntarios vigentes.

The Hiking for Fitness Series is back! Join us for the Beginner Hiking for Fitness program, where the leaders will guide you on a series of 8 weekly hikes with the challenge increasing each week. Before the first hike, the leader will discuss proper shoes, hydration, incorporating hiking poles, proper pacing, etc. The group’s final hike aims for the long route up Vista Trail, where hikers can enjoy the beautiful vistas.

The following is a list of possible routes specifically selected for this hiking series:
1) Sat 1/7 — White Barn to Uranus, 2.2 miles, 80 ft elev [meet @ white barn]
2) Sat 1/14 – Lower Bald & Creekside loop, 1 mile, 115 ft elev [meet @ main lot]
3) Sat 1/21 — Hillside-Meadow loop starting and ending at campground, 3 miles, 250 ft elev [meet @ white barn]
4) Sat 1/28 – Jack London State Historic Park, May’s Clearing loop, 3.7 miles, 430 ft elev [meet @ 2400 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen, CA 95442, upper parking lot]
5) Sat 2/4 – Stern, Pony Gate and Canyon, 3 miles, 500 ft elev [meet @ main lot]
6) Sat 2/11 – Brushy Peaks to Neptune picnic table, 4.3 miles, 640 ft elev [meet @ white barn]
7) Sat 2/18 – Sonoma Valley Regional Park loop, 4.6, miles, 531 ft elev [meet at Valley of the Moon Trailhead on Arnold Dr.]
8) Sat 2/25 – Hillside + Vista Trail loop (counter-clockwise), 4.7 miles, 1000 ft elev [meet @ white barn]

Please note these routes are subject to change. Wear appropriate footwear for muddy or slippery trails and layers, as the group hikes in light rains. Bring at least a quart of water, and if desired, a snack. The group will be limited to 35 participants.

The hiking series costs $80, or free-of-cost for participants with a December 2022 ParkRx from a Sonoma County Medical Provider. Click here for ParkRx info. The number of available ParkRx tickets is limited; please have your ParkRx ready at the time of sign up.

¡Nuestro programa de excursiones para fomentar la aptitud física está de regreso! Los líderes le guiarán en una series de ocho caminatas semanales para excursionistas principiantes. Cada excursión aumentará en dificultad o duración.

A menos a que sea mencionado, todas las excursiones son los sábados, a las nueve de la mañana en el Parque Estatal Sugarloaf Ridge. Las excursiones seguirán la mismas rutas que el programa en inglés:

1. 4 de febrero: nos reuniremos en el granero blanco y caminaremos a Urano. 2.2 millas, 80 pies de elevación.
2. 11 de febrero: circuito Lower Bald & Creekside, 1 milla, 115 pies elevación. Reunirse en el estacionamiento principal.
3. 18 de febrero: circuito Meadow- Hillside, empezando en el granero blanco y terminando en el campamento. 3 millas, 250 pies de elevación.
4. 25 de febrero: circuito May’s Clearing en el Parque Estatal Jack London. 3.7 millas, 430 pies de elevación. Reunirse en el estacionamiento superior en 2400 London Ranch Rd, Glen Ellen, CA, 95442.
5. 4 de marzo: circuito Stern/ Pony Gate/ Canyon. 3 millas, 500 pies de elevación. Reunirse en el estacionamiento principal.
6. 11 de marzo: mesa de picnic en el planeta Neptuno. 4.3 millas, 640 pies de elevación. Reunirse afuera del granero blanco.
7. 18 de marzo: Parque Regional Sonoma Valley. 4.4, millas, 531 pies de elevación. Reunirse al inicio del sendero Valley of the Moon en Arnold Dr.
8. 25 de marzo: circuito de los senderos Hillside y Vista. 4.7 millas, mil pies de elevación. Reunirse afuera del granero blanco.

Usualmente $80, esta series será ofrecida en un descuento de $30. Residentes del Condado de Sonoma con una Park Rx del 2023 pueden participar gratuitamente. Para aprender más acerca del programa Park Rx, visita https://sugarloafpark.org/activities/parks-rx-program/ El estacionamiento, usualmente $10 por entrada, será gratuito para aquellos que quieran participar en esta series. 

Por favor vista capas, calzado adecuado para senderos lodozos y resbaladizos, protección solar, traiga al menos un litro de agua, y si desea, un bocadillo. Las lluvias fuertes cancelan el evento pero continuaremos en llovizna. Si tiene preguntas, o busca más información, por favor comuníquese con Alma o Arsel por correo electrónico (senderos@sonomaecologycenter.org) o llame al 707-247-5767.

Vea más oportunidades recreacionales a través del programa Senderos Naturales en ésta página.

Join Naturalist John Lynch as we walk through the sublime beauty of sage green lichen on burgundy Manzanita bark and moss bedecked oaks down to the 25-foot dramatic plunge of Sonoma Creek. Beginning at the Visitor Center, we’ll follow Pony Gate Trail’s grassy slope, into mixed evergreen forest, along Canyon Trail’s shady riparian corridor (with the promise of Pacific Giant Salamanders) to the waterfall. The return takes us back uphill, across Adobe Canyon Road to the now familiar Pony Gate trail.
This stroll is approximately 2 miles with 595-foot elevation gain. Tickets are $15 for general admission, or half price for youth (12-17 year olds), students, Sugarloaf members and Sugarloaf volunteers, and free for children under 12. Wear layers, appropriate footwear for muddy and/or slippery trails, bring at least a quart of water and if desired, a snack. Heavy rain or wind cancels and will be announced early on the day of the hike. Parking fees apply.

Ease of access: Pony Gate and Canyon are single-track dirt trails that descend into a canyon. Both have steps, and Pony Gate has a seasonal water crossing without a bridge. These trails are not accessible for wheelchairs or recumbent bicycles. Sport strollers are not recommended either.