Vegetation Time Traveling!

Exploring Plant Succession over the centuries at Loma Alta & Roy’s Redwoods Preserves.

Leader: Kurt Rademacher

Please sign up for this field trip on Meetup.

Ever wondered what our natural vegetation looked like a century or two ago,.. or in the future?  Though few wildflowers yet grace the February hillsides, come join us for an intriguing 2-mile stroll to piece together clues in today’s woodlands, meadows, chaparral, and forests which reveal the succession of these vegetation types, each modifying the conditions it initially found suitable, until they are replaced in turn by other plant communities, and those by yet other plants.  See the evidence of ancient events like fires or floods which set it all back to the earlier stages to start over yet again—or in some cases, have held one plant community in place for many centuries!

We will begin at the Loma Alta Preserve and then drive to Roy’s Redwoods Preserve.  The trip will involve two miles of moderate hiking with about 300 feet elevation gain and return.  Trail may be muddy in some places.

Directions:   Meet us at the top of White Hill grade west of Fairfax, Google Maps: “intersection of the Old Railroad Grade Fire Road and Sir Francis Drake Blvd.”  Park on the northeast side of the highway.  Caution, Blind Curve:  If approaching from the west, driving 200 yards farther down the grade to a wide right-hand pull-out affords better views for crossing this busy road and returning upgrade to park on your right.

Bring: Water, a snack/lunch. Dress in layers.  Sturdy footwear.

Rain cancels.

Email Ann with any question.

Text for day-of-trip questions or issues: 530-521-4402

If you have not done so already, please sign the Waiver for Marin Chapter 2025.

Limit of 15.