Guided Public Hikes

We are thrilled to announce the return of our popular public hiking days! Our learned docent guides will lead multiple levels of hikes to accommodate a diversity of abilities while offering insights into the unique geologic history, flora, and fauna of our spectacular Reserve. The Saturday, January 12th public hike day begins at 9am; hikes last two to three hours. In addition to the hikes, there will be an opportunity to see the newly-renovated century-old historic Sedgwick barn, our pond (home to numerous rare and special-status species, including the Western pond turtle and the tricolored blackbird), and the Tipton Meeting House. Hikers who will not attend the Walking Ecology lecture are welcome to bring a lunch and enjoy it in the shade of beautiful valley oaks at our Field Station picnic area. 

Hikes are by-donation; suggested donation is $20/person ($10 for students). Your support allows us to continue this offering!

In the event of rain hikes will be cancelled and registrants will be notified via email 24 hours in advance. 

Three levels of intensity are offered for the January hike day:

Easy Hike: Mesa Trail.  Approximately 1.5 hours and 1 mile with 400 feet of elevational gain. An easy stroll along the Mesa with a good share of interpretation and vistas.  Includes a long stair climb and a short down hill stretch, about two hours total. An optional tour of the restored Ranch House and the hundred year old barn, home of our Sedgwick Barn Owl. Appropriate for children and seniors.  Bring water and snacks. The easy hike is limited to the first 25 people who sign up.

Moderate Hike: Blue Schist Trail.  Approximately 2.35 miles with 630 feet of elevational gain. A moderately strenuous hike with two long grades to climb.  Moderate amount of interpretation by docents, beautiful vistas, wildflowers in season, the results of a dormant earthquake uplift to see, and interesting rock formations.  Almost three hours.  Our most popular hike. Bring water and snacks. The moderate hike is limited to the first 25 people who sign up. 

Strenuous Hike: Northeast Loop.  Approximately 5 miles with 1460 feet elevation change. An aerobic workout at the northern end of the Reserve.  Hills to climb and wonderful vistas and wildflowers in season.  Not much interpretation by docents and almost four hours long.  Bring water and snacks. The moderate hike is limited to the first 25 people who sign up.