By James Webb
Primula hendersonii Plant. Photo courtesy of Woody Woodbury, our Sugarloaf Campground Manager.
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.
Canyon delphinium (Delphinium nudicaule). Photo courtesy of Jim Webb
Pony Gate Trail:
The Pony Gate Trail is a complex of three trails starting at the entrance kiosk to the park. The main trail runs from the entrance kiosk to Adobe Canyon Road to link with the lower end of the Canyon Trail. A second leg runs from the main trail to Adobe Canyon Road to link with the upper end of the Canyon Trail. The third leg connects the main trail to the Stern Trail. All three trails are in good condition. Flowering plants in bloom along the trail include Canyon delphinium (Delphinium nudicaule, shown above), Big leaf maple (Acer macrophylla), Fremont’s death camus (Toxicoscorion fremontii), Warrior’s plume (Pedicularis densiflora), Needle goldfields (Lasthenia gracilis), Blue dicks (Dipterostemon capitatus), Canyon nemophila (Nemophila heterophylla), and Ground iris (Iris macrosiphon).
Macloskey’s violet (Viola macloskeyi). Photo courtesy of Jim Webb.
Canyon Trail:
The Canyon Trail is a steep trail running down into the canyon of Sonoma Creek, providing access to the most dramatic waterfall in the park. The trail is in good condition, though the trail has more than 100 constructed steps that can be difficult for some hikers. Flowering plants currently in bloom along the trail include Macloskey’s violet (Viola macloskeyi, shown above), Big leaf Maple (Acer macrophylla), Madrone (Arbutus menziesii), Fremont’s death camas (Toxicoscorion fremontii), Pipevine (Aristolochia californica), Canyon delphinium (Delphinium nudicaule), Canyon nemophila (Nemophila heterophylla), and Ground iris (Iris macrosiphon). Exotic forget-me-nots (Myosotis latifolia) are also blooming along the lower part of the trail.
Creek trillium (Trillium albidem). Photo courtesy of Jim Webb.
Creekside Nature Trail:
The Creekside Nature Trail has two distinct sections: an ADA compliant trail that is wide, relatively flat and easy for all users and a second section that crosses Sonoma Creek on a narrow bridge, second wet water crossing of a small creek, and has a couple of somewhat steeper sections. The trail is in good condition. Many flowering plants are currently in bloom along the trail including Creek trillium (Trillium albidem, shown above), Big Leaf maple (Acer macrophylla), Madrone (Arbutus menziesii), Fremont’s death camas (Toxicoscorion fremontii), Canyon delphinium (Delphinium nudicaule), Canyon nemophila (Nemophila heterophylla), Baby blue eyes (Nemophila menziesii), Winter cress (Barbarea orthoceres), Blue buttons (Adelinia grandis), and Ground iris (Iris macrosiphon).