Monday, April 25, 20. Time: 1 to 4:30 pm
To SIGN UP for this field trip, contact Susan Schlosser scschlosser52@gmail.com
When Betsey Crawford first moved to Marin a few years ago she called the county parks naturalist number and asked for a good wildflower hike. The Hoo-Koo-E-Koo Trail, he said, it’s great. And he was right!
The trail is an offshoot of the Southern Marin Fire Road in Larkspur. It is a total of 3 miles out and back and full of interesting plants in alternating forest and chaparral.
It is hard to say what the wildflowers will be because this year is unlike others. As we have moved into May in other years there have been iris, blue dicks, larkspur, buckwheat, mint, silene, and others. There are always lots of manzanita, huckleberry, ferns, buckeye, and a variety of other trees and shrubs. It is a very special place.
The hike is mostly easy, single-file. There is a short, steep stretch to reach and leave the trail and a few places where the trail itself is roots or rocks for a few paces, so need a bit of care.
Parking can be tricky, so we will meet at the Bon Air shopping center in front of Paxti’s Pizza (across from CVS) to carpool. Take the Sir Francis Drake exit off 101 going west. At the first light beyond the highway, take a left between the Chevron and Shell stations onto Barry Road and then a right into the shopping center. Same if coming from the east — drive past the highway. If from the west on Sir Francis Drake, start looking for the Bon Air Center once you pass Bon Air Road. If you wait and turn at the gas stations at the end, it is easier than driving through the shopping center.
Rain cancels. Contact Susan Schlosser to sign up for this hike. Contact leader Betsey Crawford for information or emergencies – 631-484-1949.
Betsey Crawford spent her years as a landscape designer and environmental activist in New York convincing people to return to their literal roots by planting native plants and restoring ecosystems. Taking this passion on the road after retirement, she roamed the west, photographing wildflowers (and everything else.) Now living in Marin, she posts photos and writes about wildflowers, ecology, and all things nature on her website, The Soul of the Earth: https://thesouloftheearth.com.