Intermediate: Santa Rosa Creek Headwaters

Please join me on this informative hike where we will regognize three very outstanding Sonoma County conservation minded women who we have to thank for their land contribution to Sugarloaf and Hood Mountain Parks.  We start at the Los Alamos northwest entrance to Hood Mountain Regional Park and hike immediately into the McCormick addition of Sugarloaf Ridge State Park.  Our destination will be the most recent addition to HMRP, a 161 acre parcel previously owned by Glen Ellen Resident Margaret Spaulding and the headwaters of Santa Rosa Creek where we will dine alfresco on Bonnie’s Brownies.  Along the way I’ll discuss the role and importance that the Sonoma Land Trust plays in obtaining and preserving these beautiful public open spaces we have.  Also, a little history of the McCormick Ranch and the current SLT acquisition in progress.

This is a 4.2 mile hike with 925 feet of elevation, all on a dirt road.  We do need to cross Salt Creek and when I pre hiked this on December 7, it was about 4.5 feet wide.  Kareem Abul Jabbar would have no trouble stepping over it but most of us don’t have that kind of long stride.  If you don’t want wet feet, I suggest you bring plastic grocery bags to cover your hiking shoes or…. I’ll have nice plastic knee high boot covers available that you can buy from me for $2.00 a pair.  Departs from Berger lot at 9:00 am  and drivers will need a Regional Park Pass or $7.00.  Rain may cause us to reschedule so please check the website for an update the night before.

Margaret Spaulding (one of the three Sonoma County ladies whose former property we will visit) is going to be our guest at a group lunch following the hike.  12:30 PM lunch reservations have been made at China Village in the Safeway shopping center.  I will pay the entire bill with my credit card so please bring cash to reimburse me.  The luncheon specials are about $12.50 to $13.50.

Hike Leader Gary Andersen  360-778-9604.