Sunday, July 30
10 AM to 3 PM
Leader: Liz Parsons, Milo Baker Chapter
Marin CNPS is heading north to explore a new (for us) coastal route called Pomo Trail! At the outset, the trail will take us into coastal brush and grassland and offer a chance for coast gentian (Gentiana affinis) as well as stunning views of the coast. Continuing up and over a ridge, the trail winds through lush coastal brush, areas of Douglas fir and Monterey Pine, grasslands, rock formations and wetland areas with Twin Berry, willows, and California blackberry. The coastal brush includes coyote brush, poison oak, red flowering currant, nine bark, sticky monkey flower, California sage brush, and coffee berry. Here, if conditions permit, we will enjoy great views of the Russian River and coast. Further on we’ll pass along the edge of a redwood forest, more grasslands and rocky outcrops with views of the Willow Creek watershed. The Red Hill Trail veers off to the right and we head through coastal grasslands and coastal brush with views of Sonoma county mountains and the Russian River canyon. Grasslands include native bunch grasses interspersed coyote bush and coffee berry. A stop at a rock outcrop near the side trail to the top of Red Hill (1 mile round trip) is a likely lunch spot. We’ll continue on the Red Hill Trail to where it rejoins the Pomo Canyon Trail and back to the Shell Beach Parking lot.
The field trip is 4.1 miles, easy to moderate. The weather can be variable, with sun, wind and/or fog.
Meet at the Shell Beach parking lot 7 miles north of Bodega Bay on Hwy 1. The parking lot is on the west side of the highway. We’ll walk across Hwy 1 to access the Pomo Canyon Trail.
Contact information: Susan Schlosser, scschlosser52@gmail.com 707-834-6525