By James 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.

Lower Bald Mountain Trail:

The Lower Bald Mountain Trail is actually a complex of trails connecting the main parking lot and White Barn Parking lot at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park with the Bald Mountain Trail, a road/trail that runs to the summit of Bald Mountain. The trail is a well-graded trail and in good condition. Many species of flowers are in bloom along the trail, including Striped Coralroot (Corallorhiza striata, shown above), Wavy Leaf Ceanothus (Ceanothus foliosus), Calistoga Ceanothus (Ceanothus divergens), Checker Lily (Fritillaria affinis), Western Buttercup (Ranunculus occidentais), Baby Blue Eyes (Nemophila menziesii), Miniature Lupine (Lupinus bicolor), Orange Bush Monkeyflower (Diplacus aurantiaca), Poison Oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum), Rusty Haired Popcorn Flower (Plagiobothrys nothofulvus), California Goldfields (Lasthenia californica), Blue Witch (Solanum umbellatum), Cowbag Clover (Trifolium depauperatum), Ground Iris (Iris macrosiphon), Blue Dicks (Dipterostemon capitatum), and Fernald’s Iris (Iris fernaldii).

Vista Trail:

Vista Trail runs from the Bald Mountain Trail (road) to the Meadow Trail trail. The trail is in good condition, but is steep on the lower section (below the junction with the Headwaters Trail) with many constructed steps. The trail is currently providing a lovely show of wildflowers, with some hillsides covered with blooming Silver Lupine (Lupinus albifrons, shown above). Other flowers currently in bloom along the trail include Checker Lilies (Fritillaria affinis), Fremont’s Death Camus (Toxicoscorion fremontii), Blue Witch (Solanum umbellatum), Canyon Delphinium (Delphinium nudicaule), Canyon Nemophila (Nemophila heterophylla), California Goldenbanner (Thermopsis californica), Purple Sanicle (Sanicula bipinnatifida), Pacific Sanicle (Sanicula crassicaulis), Variegated Clover (Trifolium variegatum), California Blackberry (Rubus ursinus), California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica), Miniature Lupine (Lupinus bicolor), Broadleaf Lupine (Lupinus latifolius), Fernald’s Iris (Iris fernaldii), Globe Lily (Calochortus amabilis), Poison Oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum), Yarrow (Achillea millifolium), Blue Eyed Grass (Sisyrhinchum bellum), and Fremont’s Death Camas (Toxicoscordion fremontii).

Meadow Trail:

The Meadow Trail is a well graded natural surface road running from the Observatory to the junction of the Gray Pine and Brushy Peaks Trails.  The road is nearly level, an easy walk for most users and though not ADA compliant, may be navigated by many users needing assistance. This is often a great place to see meadow and grassland flowers, but the show is not going full force yet this year. Flowering plants currently in bloom along the trail include Globe lily (Calochortus amabilis, shown above), Broadleaf Lupine (Lupinus lattifolia), Bird’s Eye Gilia (Gilia tricolor), Miniature Lupine (Lupinus bicolor), California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica), California (common) Buttercup (Ranunculus californicus),  California Blackberry (Rubus ursinus), True Babystars (Leptosiphon bicolor), False Babystars (Leptosiphon androsaceus), Poison Oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum), Blue Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchum bellum), Blue Witch (Solanum umbelliferum), Miner’s Lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata), Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), and Canyon Nemophila (Nemophila heterophylla).