What is a habitat? Join CA Naturalist and Sugarloaf docent Marie Kay Hansen through the featured habitat, chaparral, to explore all it has to offer. Learn about the largest native plant community flora in California, characterized by rugged terrain and adaptive flora, during this 2-mile, out and back hike along Goodspeed Trail up to Pierson Rd and possibly past until the unnamed creek crossing. This hike is the first in our four-part "Habitats of Sugarloaf" hike series. Other hikes will explore the oak woodland, meadow and redwood forest habitats.
Meet at the Goodspeed parking lot. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $5 for youth (12-17 year olds), students, Sugarloaf members, Sugarloaf volunteers, and free for children under 12. Wear layers, appropriate footwear for muddy and/or slippery trails, sun protection, bring at least a quart of water, and if desired, a snack. Heavy rain cancels. Parking fees apply.
Ease of access: The Goodspeed parking lot does not count with bathrooms, water spigots, or ADA parking. Goodspeed Trail is an out-and-back, single-track dirt trail with a bridgeless creek crossing during the wet season. The first several feet is a rough foot trail down to Sonoma Creek. The next several hundred feet including bridges over two creeks and is mostly flat. The remainder of the trail is mostly steep with built-in steps and a rugged climb through serpentine chaparral.
