Join Certified California Naturalist John Lynch on his wondrous wildflower walks. We'll celebrate Earth Day on 4/19 along Vista Trail's manzanita forests, horsetail curtains, and seasonal pond via Lower Bald Mtn (from the White Barn) and returning on Meadow Trail.
Tickets are $10 for general audiences, $5 for students, youth (12-17 year olds; must be accompanied by an adult), Sugarloaf members, Sugarloaf volunteers, and free for children under 12. Meet at the White Barn parking lot. Wear hiking shoes, layers appropriate for weather, bring at least a quart of water, a camera and wildflower guides if you have them, and if desired, a snack. Parking fees apply. Heavy rain or wind cancels.
Ease of access: The White Barn parking lot has one van-accessible parking spot and an accessible porta-potty, as well as a potable water spigot next to the information kiosk. The road from the White Barn to the Robert Ferguson Observatory is fairly flat and paved. Lower Bald Mtn Trail has three trailheads. The trailhead to the left of the Observatory is an 0.8-mile, 450ft elevation gain single-track gravel and dirt trail with at times, rough terrain and built-in steps. It connects to Bald Mtn Trail, a steep, paved fire road, which connects Lower Bald to Vista Trail at the 0.2-mile marker. Vista Trail is a 1.6-mile single-track dirt trail with an additional 300ft of elevation gain, 600ft of elevation loss, at least three stretches of stairs, and at least two small seasonal water crossings without a bridge. The 0.2-mile section of Gray Pine that connects Vista and Meadow Trails is a dirt fire road with a year-round stream crossing with a plank for a bridge. Meadow Trail is a fairly flat fire road accessible (although not ADA-compliant) by wheelchair or stroller for up to 0.8 miles from the Observatory.
