By Jim Webb

About James (Jim) Webb: Jim began volunteering with Sugarlaof Ridge State Park last February 2023 as a trail patrol volunteer. His experience in previous work with USFS lends itself to very detailed trail reports. His reports of “What’s Blooming/Fruiting?” are a naturalist’s weekly treat, and his most recent efforts, concentrated on meticulous examination of data from our trails has led to improved data concerning ease of access descriptions of trails and areas in the park.

Seep Spring Monkeyflower (Erythranthe guttata) brought to you by Jim Webb

Lower Bald Mountain Trail 

I walked the segment of the Lower Bald Mountain Trail from the main parking lot to the intersection with the Bald Mountain Trail.  The trail is well graded and in excellent condition.  Wildflowers currently in bloom along the trail include Seep Spring Monkeyflower (Erythranthe guttata, shown above), Harvest Brodiaea (Brodiaea elegans), Woolly Sunflower (Eriophyllum lanatum), Ithuriel’s Spear (Triteleia laxa), California Milkwort (Rhinotropis californica), Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), Chamise (Adenostoma fasciulatum), Miniature Lupine (Lupinus bicolor), Orange Bush Monkeyflower (Diplacus aurantiaca), and Deerweed (Acmispon glaber).

Bald Mountain Trail 

I walked the segment of the Bald Mountain Trail from the junction with the Lower Bald Mountain Trail to the summit of Bald Mountain.  The trail is a well-graded formerly asphalt-paved road in good condition.  Species of flowers in bloom along the trail include Foothill Penstemon (Penstemon heterophyllus, shown above), Cardinal Catchfly (Silene laciniata), Chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum), Orange Bush Monkeyflower (Diplacus aurantiacus), Naked Buckwheat (Eriogonum nudum), California Poppy (Eschscholtzia californica), Western Morning Glory (Calystegia occidntalis), Rock Phacelia (Phacelia nemoralis), Silver Lupine (Lupinus albifrons), Common Madia (Madia elegans), Forked Tooth Ookow (Dichelostemma ccongesta), Woolly Sunflower (Eriophylllum lanatum), Ithuriel’s Spear (Triteleia laxa), Venus Thistle (Cirsium occidentalis, var. venustum), Tufted Poppy (Eschscholtzia cespitosa), Coyote Mint (Monardella villosa), California Skullcap (Scutellaria californica), and Solanum xanti.

Serpentine Columbine (Aquilegia eximia) brought to by Jim Webb

Vista Trail 

I walked the Vista Trail from the Headwaters Trail junction to the Meadow Trail junction and found it in good condition, but very steep and with many constructed steps.  Flowers currently in bloom along the trail include Serpentine Columbine (Aquilegia eximia, shown above), Western Morning Glory (Calystegia occidentalis), Globe Lily (Calochortus amabilis), Yellow Mariposa (Calochortus luteus), Harvest Brodiaea (Brodiaea elegans), Farewell to Spring (Clarkia amoena), Purple Clarkia (Clarkia purpurea), Common (Annual) Agoseris (Agoseris heterophylla), Rigid Hedge Nettle (Stachys rigida), Cardinal Catchfly (Silene laciniata), Orange Bush Monkeyflower (Diplacus aurantiaca), Woolly Sunflower (Eriophyllum lanatum), California Blackberry (Rubus ursinus), California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica), Crown Brodiaea (Brodiaea coronaria), and Naked Buckwheat (Eriogonum nudum).

Vista Trail 

I walked the entire Headwaters Trail and found it in good condition, but very steep and with many constructed steps.  Flowers currently in bloom along the trail include Venus Thistle (Cirsium occidentale, var. venustum, shown above), Western Morning Glory (Calystegia occidentalis), Cardinal Catchfly (Silene laciniata), California Buckeye (Aesculus californica), Ocean Spray or Cream Bush (Holodiscus discolor), White Hawkweed (Hieracium albiflorum), Rigid Hedge Nettle (Stachys rigida), Ithuriel’s Spear (Trileleia laxa), Globe Lily (Calochortus amabilis), Orange Bush Monkeyflower (Diplacus aurantiaca), Western Morning Glory (Calystegia occidentalis), Common Madia (Madia elegans), Harvest Brodiaea (Brodiaea elegans), Woolly Sunflower (Eriophyllum lanatum), Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), Deerweed (Acmispon glaber), Globe Lily (Calochortus amabilis), Farewell to Spring (Clarkia amoena), California Poppy (Eschscholtzia californica), and Solanum xanti.

Farewell to Spring (Clarkia amoena) brought to you by Jim Webb.

Meadow Trail 

The Meadow Trail is a well graded, nearly level, natural surface road running from the Observatory to the junction of the Gray Pine and Brushy Peaks Trails.  The road is an easy walk for most users and, though not ADA compliant, may be navigated by many users needing assistance.   Flowering plants currently in bloom along the trail include Farewell to Spring (Clarkia amoena, shown above), Globe Lily (Calochortus amabilis), Broadleaf Lupine (Lupinus lattifolia), Yarrow (Achillea millefolia), Western Morning Glory (Caluystegia occidentalis), California Poppy (Eschscholtzia californica), California Blackberry (Rubus ursinus), California Rose (Rosa californica), Blue Elderberry (Sambucus mexicana), Annual Checkerbloom (Sidalcea calycosa), Woolly Sunflowers (Eriophyllum lanatum), California Buckeye (Aesculus californica), Spicebush (Calycanthus occidentalis), Seep Spring Monkeyflower (Erythranthe guttata), and Bush Morning Glory (Calystegia subcaulis).