Grasslands, Woodlands, and Riparian Forest Botany

Observe three plant communities: grasslands, woodlands, and riparian. What is growing where? Are sun and water the main reasons a plant can survive in a particular location? Starting at the White Barn, we’ll botanize along Meadow and Brushy Peaks trails with Certified CA Naturalist Marie-Kay Hansen. We will cover about 5 miles up the picnic table past the Neptune sign and gain 1,000 feet in elevation, which includes steep sections.

Tickets are $10 for the general public, $5 for students, youth (12-17 year-olds), Sugarloaf members, or Sugarloaf volunteers, and free for children under 12. Meet at the White Barn. Bring at least a quart of water, sun protection, wear appropriate clothing and footwear for slippery and rocky trails, and if desired, a snack. Parking fees apply. Heavy rains cancel.

Ease of access:  The White Barn parking area has one van-accessible designated parking spot and one accessible porta-potty. There is a 1/4-mile flat, paved road from the White Barn parking area to the Meadow trailhead. Meadow is a mostly flat composite trail manageable by strollers and wheelchairs from the trailhead to about a mile in, although officially not an ADA-compliant trail. The Brushy Peaks trailhead intersects Meadow and Hillside trails. Its first half mile is a shaded, wide dirt trail. It narrows after the creek crossing into a steeper single-track trail. There is one picnic table at the turn-around point.

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