Please read the following description. No more than fifteen people can be accommodated, and preference will be given to those who have never before visited this spot.
A floristic island, The Cedars is a privately owned 7,500 acre site in a remote part of northwestern Sonoma County—nine miles inland from Timber Cove, a short drive from Cazadero. Because the soil in this mountainous region is primarily serpentine, indigenous flora are specialized and in some cases rare. Plants include Sargent cypress (Cupressus sargentii), California lady slipper orchid (Cypripedium californicum), Morrison’s jewelflower (Streptanthus morrisonii), The Cedars manzanita (Arctostaphylos bakeri ssp. sublaevis), The Cedars fairy lantern (Calochortus raichei). It is difficult to predict what will be in bloom, but Raiche believes three orchids will be in flower (Cypripedium, Epipactis, and Piperia leptopetala), and possibly some lingering Western azaleas.
We’ll need 3 high clearance/4WD vehicles.
The terrain is rugged, rocky, and involves creek crossings (without bridges), so participants should be in good hiking shape and capable of dealing with irregular, rocky terrain.
We will meet in Cazadero at 9:30 a.m. and try to be out of the canyon by 3:30 or 4. I will send plant lists to all who sign up.