PARK CLOSED AS OF MARCH 24
BY ORDER OF THE SONOMA COUNTY HEALTH AGENCY ALL PARKS IN SONOMA COUNTY ARE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
Stay tuned for more information.
The Sonoma Ecology Center & Team Sugarloaf
Join Certified California Naturalist Mary Good on a hike exploring the medicinal and edible plants of the park. Weaving in natural history, ethnobotany, herbalism and folktales, this walk will open your senses, as well as your curiosity to the abundance of plantlore in Sonoma County. Bring water and a snack and be prepared for a 2 to 3 mile walk with a 300 foot climb. Meet at the White Barn parking lot. $10.00 per adult, free for minors. Parking fees also apply.
Edible plant information is for educational purposes only. Foraging is illegal in CA State Parks.
Please join us for an 8-week INTERMEDIATE Hiking for Fitness Program. The program leaders will guide you on a series of weekly hikes with the challenge increasing each week. Leaders will have group discussions about gear, hydration, hiking poles, first aid and pacing, etc. The group’s final hike aims for Bald Mountain, where hikers can enjoy stunning vistas.The Hiking series costs $80, or free (plus free parking) for hikers with a 2019 or newer ParkRx from a Sonoma County Medical Provider. Click here for ParkRx info.
Hike Schedule
1) Sat 3/7–Waterfall Loop, 2 miles, 595 ft [meet @ main lot]
2) Sat 3/14–Vista Trail Loop, 3.6 miles, 700 ft [meet @ white barn lot]
3) Sat 3/21–Goodspeed to Nattkemper bench, 4.2 miles, 1060 ft [meet @ Goodspeed lot]
4) Sat 3/28–Hillside/Brushy Peaks to Neptune picnic table, 4.6 miles, 780 ft [meet @ white barn lot]
5) Sat 4/4–Grandmother Oak (Sugarloaf’s McCormick Addition), 4.2 miles, 1060 ft [meet @ Hood Mtn Regional Park’s Los Alamos parking lot]
6) Sat 4/11–Vista Trail Loop (counter-clockwise), 4.7 miles, 1000 ft [meet @ white barn lot]
7) Sat 4/18–Brushy /Grey Pine (Hillside start), 6.5 miles, 1230 ft [meet @ white barn lot]
8) Sat 4/25–Bald Summit (w/ optional Headwaters wiggle = 5.8 mi), 5.25 miles, 1500 ft [meet @ white barn lot]
(routes subject to change based on group and weather)
Sonoma County Trails Council volunteer trail work day at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. From 9am to about 1pm. We will provide parking passes, tools and Clif bars with beverages and snacks afterwards.
Bring gloves, a hat and water that you can take with you (hands free!) while working, and wear long pants, boots or hiking shoes and sunscreen. No experience necessary – we have tools and trained crew leaders with tasks for all strengths and sizes of volunteers.
In order to make sure we have enough tools and after-work beverages reply to trailscouncil@sonic.net if you plan to attend. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Bring a flashlight and your sense of wonder as you explore the park after dark. This moderate to strenuous hike begins at the White Barn and heads up Vista Trail, where we will see the moon rise over the Mayacamas and the sun set over Sonoma Valley. Meet at the White Barn at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the hike. We’ll cover 4 miles with 700 ft. elevation gain–including some steep sections. Bring water, snacks, and extra layers for the evening. Parking fees apply.
Help Sugarloaf with trail restoration work. Work includes bridge and step construction, installing signs, clearing, lifting, carrying and hiking. Bring gloves, hat, and water that you can carry hands-free (i.e. bring a backpack).Wear long pants, boots or sturdy shoes and sunscreen. Poison oak is present, so long sleeves are suggested. We have tools and trained crew leaders with tasks for all. Those under 18 years old must be accompanied by a responsible adult. We will provide tools, food and beverages. If you are a current State Parks volunteer, signup in vicnet. If you are an SEC volunteer, sign up here: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0e4aaca62ca3ff2-sugarloaf1
Please join us for an 8-week INTERMEDIATE Hiking for Fitness Program. The program leaders will guide you on a series of weekly hikes with the challenge increasing each week. Leaders will have group discussions about gear, hydration, hiking poles, first aid and pacing, etc. The group’s final hike aims for Bald Mountain, where hikers can enjoy stunning vistas.The Hiking series costs $80, or free (plus free parking) for hikers with a 2019 or newer ParkRx from a Sonoma County Medical Provider. Click here for ParkRx info.
Hike Schedule
1) Sat 3/7–Waterfall Loop, 2 miles, 595 ft [meet @ main lot]
2) Sat 3/14–Vista Trail Loop, 3.6 miles, 700 ft [meet @ white barn lot]
3) Sat 3/21–Goodspeed to Nattkemper bench, 4.2 miles, 1060 ft [meet @ Goodspeed lot]
4) Sat 3/28–Hillside/Brushy Peaks to Neptune picnic table, 4.6 miles, 780 ft [meet @ white barn lot]
5) Sat 4/4–Grandmother Oak (Sugarloaf’s McCormick Addition), 4.2 miles, 1060 ft [meet @ Hood Mtn Regional Park’s Los Alamos parking lot]
6) Sat 4/11–Vista Trail Loop (counter-clockwise), 4.7 miles, 1000 ft [meet @ white barn lot]
7) Sat 4/18–Brushy /Grey Pine (Hillside start), 6.5 miles, 1230 ft [meet @ white barn lot]
8) Sat 4/25–Bald Summit (w/ optional Headwaters wiggle = 5.8 mi), 5.25 miles, 1500 ft [meet @ white barn lot]
(routes subject to change based on group and weather)
Want to do a through hike from Sugarloaf to Hood Mountain or vice versa? Ride the Sugar-Hood Shuttle.
How it works
Every half hour our Shuttle will leave from either Sugarloaf Ridge State Park or Hood Mountain Regional Park’s Pythian Rd parking lot. Make a reservation and then ride to the other end of the trail, or hike and ride back. Riding first and hiking back to your car is the easiest way – no worries about how long you take to finish your adventure. No charge for the ride, but the suggested donation of $10 helps keep us going. Dogs are not allowed on the shuttle or the State Park portion of the trail.
——–CHECK OUR TIMETABLES HERE———
https://sugarloafpark.org/events/sugar-shuttle-2020/
We recommend a reservation, but you can ride on a space available basis as well.
The hike should take 3½ to 4½ hours.
Map: https://www.sonomaecologycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Shuttle_Sugarloaf_HoodMtn_Map.pdf
The distance is about 7.4 miles with approximately 2300 foot vertical climb.
Suggested donation of $10. Register at: https://sugarshuttle2020hm-py.bpt.me/
Shuttle operated by Team Sugarloaf / Sonoma Ecology Center in partnership with Sonoma County Regional Parks
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Sonoma Ecology Center 2019 Impact Report
Check out the 2019 Impact Report for the Sonoma Ecology Center! This report goes into detail of the impact and presence of the Sonoma Ecology Center in many various sectors. You can view the report here.
Camping at Sugarloaf
You can enjoy camping year-round at Sugarloaf with 47 family-friendly, alcohol-free camping spaces nestled in a large meadow and bordered by a year-round stream and a hillside forest.
Stargazing at Robert Ferguson Observatory
Completely dedicated to public viewing and education, the Robert Ferguson Observatory is the LARGEST in the western United States and it’s right here at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park.
Community-Operated Park
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park is operated by Sonoma Ecology Center and Team Sugarloaf. Learn more by visiting the Team Sugarloaf Page