California Redwoods and Waterfalls: Big Basin Berry Creek Falls in June

June on the Berry Creek Falls Loop (BCFL) Trail in the Forest of Big Basin State Park. [Route was clockwise except where stated otherwise. Report is by J. Zimmerman except where stated otherwise.]

2008 (counter-clockwise). 2007 (counter-clockwise). 2006. 2005. 2004: (a) clockwise (usual direction) and (b) counter-clockwise by J. Zimmerman and Scott Peden . 2003 (minimal data) by Scott Peden. 2002 by Scott Peden. 7-year summary of flower-slug-newt data. Flower-slug-newt count graph. Wildflower species calendar on BCFL Trail. Walk With Scott Peden in Big Basin State Park. Paces calibration (Berry Creek Falls Loop Trail). Life History and Ecological Guide to the Coast Redwood by Daniel J. Miller. Azalea, © 2005 by Scott Peden. Blossoms May-August.

Redwood Region Flower Finder: A Guide to Identifying Wildflowers of The Coastal Fog Belt of California by Phoebe Watts, Sarah Ellen Watts (Illustrator). Glossary: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z. Monthly reports: January, February, March, April, May, June. July, August, September, October, November, December. Wilderness Preservation from Bikes.

Designation of "unique": In these reports, "unique" refers to any species that was seen in a single location on the reported day.

Designation of "early": In these reports, "early" refers to any species that we are seeing this month on this trail for the first time since we started this record. [These flowers have often been reported by others this early. They are, however, early for us.]

Designation of : In these reports, ("New") refers to a flower that was not spotted by us in previous years.

Designation of JHT: Refers to John Hunter Thomas's Flora of the Santa Cruz Mountains of California.

Saturday June 7th, 2008. Counter-clockwise.

2-layer fresh to start the day; 1-layer warm after a couple of miles (8:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.) Waterfalls still glorious. Met 117 people, many of whom (especially at the various Falls) had hiked up from Los Osos. Saw 36 Banana Slugs; 66 different flower species in bloom; berries include strawberry and unripe huckleberry; Sensitive manzanita [SP]; lot of rose-wasp galls on the rose bushes at Pratt Cabin (open-faced-sandwich tree) on Sunset Trail. a flock of 20 honey bees sipping water from damp moss; a resting creamy-white butterfly and several restless pale-blue butterflies; one brown moth [SP]; one bluish white caterpillar, with small blue spots, eating a Star Flower leaf [SP] ; black beetles with red stripes on sides of head on the Sedges at Waddell Creek [SP]; one yellow-spotted millipede (a yellow and black centipede). (Access Scott's Flower Photos in his on-line portfolio.) (Look at slug and flower count graph in a new window.) 19 Aquatic Newts plus one tadpole form (species unknown): SP notes: "11 newts at Golden Falls; one was 'Golden'. Tad pole, with huge head like a salamander, and legs just beginning; no stripes on it. Might be..... Giant Salamander (though I had stripes on them in the aquatic stages of their life last year); it is NOT a Newt (because lacke different coloring for its underside)." Also: "10 Newts in Silver Falls one was 'Golden'."

LIL (Last in Line) spotting statistic: There were 3 spotters for the first third, where we saw 26 banana slugs altogether. Of those, the LIL (or sweep) spotter saw 5 that the first and second spotters missed. LIL added 24%: 5 divided by 21 (which is 26 minus 5) seen by the other 2 spotters. This is comparable to the LIL data of 18% reported for April 2008; then (April) we had 2 people (LIL was 2nd person) while now (June) we had 3 people (LIL was 3rd person).

[SP] marks additions from Scott Peden.

Flowers (alphabetically) at Ranger Station HQ (many of which are seen on the loop trail also): Bedstraw a.k.a. Cleavers (Galium aparine). Tiny white flowers. [Others, with pale green flowers, were seen on the loop trail.] [ALIEN] Bur chervil (Anthriscus caucalis). California hedge nettle (Stachys bulleta). Not a true nettle, so you may touch it painlessly. Rose/blue/purplish flowers. California milkwort, Polygala californica (rose-purple pea-like flowers on an herbaceous plant with dark leaves). California strawberry (Fragaria californica) (white). [SP: Also berries.] [ALIEN] ["unique"] Forget-me-not (blue). [ok, they are alien. But ain't they sweet!] [ALIEN] Foxglove. One-leaved Onion, Allium unifolium (mauve). Redwood sorrel ([SP: white at HQ; pink elsewhere]). ["unique"] Sedge: "Umbrella" sedge (umbel of green flowers on top of long stem). Sedge: various other [sub]species. ["unique"] Star lily or Fremont's star lily (Zygadenus fremontii). ["unique"] Stinging nettle (pale green). [*OUCH* do not *TOUCH*] Western azalea (cream; the most delicious honey-like perfume). Western bittercress, Cardamine oligosperma. A.k.a. Few-seeded bittercress [JH Thomas]. Tiny white flowers; tiny opposite leaves. Woodland madia (a.k.a. tarweed) (Madia madioides). [SP: Plus one sample of what looks like Slender Tarweed, Madia gracilis.] Yellow sanicle (a.k.a. snakeroot) (Sanicula arctopoides). Yerba buena (pale blue). Additional flowers (alphabetically) seen on the loop trail. [We exclude from the count but give 'honorable mention for effort' to a Trillium with a robust seedpod surrounded by three drying but clearly red flower petals.] Alum root (a.k.a. small-flowered Heuchera) (white). Blackberry: California blackberry (white). [ALIEN] ["unique"] Broad-leaved helleborine (Epipactis helleborine). Burning Bush near stream (brownish red flowers hide under the outermost leaves). Bush poppy (yellow). California toothwort, Dentaria californica (mauve). California wild lilac (a.k.a. California Blue Brush) (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus). Chamise (white). ["unique"] Cinquefoil: Sticky cinquefoil, Potentilla glandulosa ssp. glandulosa. Coast boykinia (a.k.a. Brook foam), Boykinia Elata (5 open white petals). Coffee berry (green, 5-pointed, small flower). ["unique"] Coral root orchid (yellow flower, no spots on white lower lip). Dannie's skullcap (Scutellaria tuberosa. 5-petaled, 2-lipped tubular flower (mint family). Deerweed (a.k.a. California broom), Lotus Scoparius (yellow and red). [SP] Golden/Maul/Canyon/Hickory/Gold Cup Oak in bloom. ["unique"] Golden chinquapin. Golden yarrow, Eriophyllum confertiflorum (yellow, 5 petals, 2 lines down length of petal). Hairy honeysuckle, Lonicera hispidula (pink). Hairy star tulip (a.k.a. Fuzzy pussy ears), Calochortus tolmiei (white). Hawkweed (white; similar growth pattern to madia). Huckleberry (white). Inside-out flower (white). Ithuriel's spear (or Grass nut or Triplet lily) (Triteleia laxa). ["unique"] Lupine (probably Douglas's (or Sky) Lupine, Lupinus nanus). Fernald Iris (Iris fernaldii). Creamy petals with purple veins. Ocean spray (white). [Above Golden Falls.] Pacific starflower (pink star). Red Clintonia (red). Redwood violet (yellow). ["unique"] Salal, Gaultheria shallon Sensitive manzanita (white). ["unique"] Small-leaved montia, Montia parvifolia (white, 5 petals, small alternate leaves and basal rosette). -->Solomon's seal: Branched or Fat Solomon's seal (Smilacina racemosa). [SP] Spotted coral root orchid (red and red-stemmed flower, red spots on the white lower lip). Sticky monkey flower (orange). Sugar scoop (saxifrage, sometimes called False Mitrewort), Tiatella unifoliata (white). ["unique"] Thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus). White. [By Kelly Creek Bridge.] Trail Plant (Adenocaulon bicolor) (cluster of very tiny 5-petaled white flowers. Bring your magnifying glass!!). Two-eyed violet (white with purple eye spots and purple back to top two petals). Unspotted coral root orchid (red and red-stemmed flower, spot-less white lower lip). Vari-leaf collomia (Collomia heterophylla): pink flower with white center. [Keyed by Scott Peden.] [SP] ["unique"] Western Wake Robin, with seed capsule AND old flower petals, on same plant. White globe lily (Calochortus albus). 3-petaled globe, tinged slightly peach. Blossom hangs like a delicate lantern from a slender stem; very beautiful. ["unique"] Wild ginger (maroon). Wintergreen, Pyrola picta var. aphylla (red). Wood rose (red). Yerba de selva (white). Yerba santa (blue). Slug and herp counts by sections (walking counter-clockwise), taking Dool Trail toward Sunset Trail - beginning our counter-clockwise exploration. By Middle Ridge Fire Road: 1 slug. By Sky-Line-to-the-Sea Trail Connector on Sunset Trail: 3 new slugs; 4 total. By West Waddell Creek Bridge on Sunset Trail: 21 new slugs; 25 total. By Timms Creek Trail on Sunset Trail: 1 new slug; 26 total. To this location, we had 3 observers. [One observer then had to go on ahead.] We saw 26 slugs. Of these, 5 slugs (about 19%) were seen by the LIL (Last In Line) or sweep spotter. Though a statistician could reasonably question the accuracy of this data (as the sample size is small), I do note this is comparable to the LIL data of 18% reported for April 2008, though this month we had 3 people (LIL was 3rd person) while in April we had 2 people (LIL was 2nd person). By East Berry Creek Bridge: 1 new slug; 27 total. 3 aquatic newts in the stream plus one newt lavae sphere. By Sunset camp connector trail: 0 new slugs; 27 total. 0 new newts; 3 total. By Silver Falls: 0 new slugs; 27 total. 17 aquatic newts at the Falls; 20 total. [Scott: was one of these the mystery tadpole?] By Berry Creek Falls Bench and Viewing Platform: 0 new slugs; 27 total. 0 new newts. By Berry Creek Falls view from Seat: 0 new slugs; 27 total. By Timms Creek Trail: 0 new slugs; 27 total. By West (lower) End of the connector trail: 1 new slug; 28 total. By East (upper) End of the connector trail: 1 new slug; 29 total. By Kelly Creek Bridge: 1 new slug; 30 total. By Sunset connector: 2 new slugs; 32 total. By Middle Ridge Fire Road: 2 new slugs; 34 total. Arriving back at Park Head Quarters: 2 new slugs; 36 total.

Wednesday June 6th, 2007. Counter-clockwise.

2-layer fresh to start the day; 1-layer warm half-way. (8:15 a.m. - 7:15 p.m.) Waterfalls still glorious. 100 Banana Slugs. 64 different flower species in bloom. (Access Scott's Flower Photos in his on-line portfolio.) (Look at slug and flower count graph in a new window.) 17 Aquatic Newts and a dozen spheres of newt larvae; also newt efts. No butterflies; one yellow spotted millipede. We list the flowers below in the order that we encountered them for the first time on the hike.

Starting with the flowers (alphabetically) at Ranger Station HQ (many of which are seen on the loop trail also): Bedstraw a.k.a. Cleavers (Galium aparine). Tiny white flowers. [ALIEN] Bur chervil (Anthriscus caucalis). California hedge nettle (Stachys bulleta) Not a true nettle, so you may touch it painlessly. Rose/blue/purplish flowers. California milkwort, Polygala californica (rose-purple pea-like flowers on an herbaceous plant with dark leaves). [ALIEN] Smooth cat's ear (Hypochaeris glabra). Yellow composite. Single flower on an unbranched single stem. [ALIEN] Spotted cat's ear [per Weeds of the West, Western Society of Weed Science States [S.P.]] (a.k.a. Hairy or long-rooted cat's ear [JHT]) (Hypochaeris radicata) Yellow composite. 9-inch to 2-feet flowering stems are sparsely branching, with a single flower 1-1.5 inch diameter at the end of each branch. [ALIEN] ["unique"] Forget-me-not (blue). [ok, they are alien. But ain't they sweet!] [ALIEN] Foxglove. ["unique"] Miner's lettuce (white). One-leaved Onion, Allium unifolium (mauve). ["unique"] Popcorn flower (Plagiobothrys nothofulvus). Short and white. Rushes. ["unique"] Sedge (reddish flowers on a single spike). ["unique"] Star lily or Fremont's star lily (Zygadenus fremontii). ["unique"] Stinging nettle (pale green). [*OUCH* do not *TOUCH*] Western azalea (cream; the most delicious honey-like perfume). Woodland madia (a.k.a. tarweed) (Madia madioides). Yellow sanicle (a.k.a. snakeroot) (Sanicula arctopoides). Yerba buena (pale blue). Taking Dool Trail toward Sunset Trail - beginning our counter-clockwise exploration. By Middle Ridge Fire Road: 0 slugs. White globe lily (Calochortus albus). 3-petaled globe, tinged slightly peach. Blossom hangs like a delicate lantern from a slender stem; very beautiful. Ithuriel's Spear (or Grass Nut or Triplet Lily) (Triteleia laxa). By Sky-Line-to-the-Sea Trail Connector on Sunset Trail: 1 new slug; 1 total. Two-eyed violet (white with purple eye spots and purple back to top two petals). Coffee berry (green, 5-pointed, small flower). Hairy star tulip, Calochortus tolmiei (white). Redwood sorrel (pink). Sticky monkey flower (orange). California strawberry (Fragaria californica) (white). Hairy Honeysuckle, Lonicera hispidula (pink). Blue Dicks (Dichelostemma pulchella). [ALIEN] ["unique"] Broad-leaved helleborine (Epipactis helleborine). Yerba de Selva (white). Redwood violet (yellow). Pacific starflower (pink star). Red Clintonia (red). By West Waddell Creek Bridge on Sunset Trail: 32 new slugs; 33 total. ["unique"] Sedge (umbel of green flowers on top of long stem). Wood rose (red). Hawkweed (white; similar growth pattern to madia). By Timms Creek Trail on Sunset Trail: 2 new slugs; 35 total. ["unique"] Coral root orchid (yellow, no spots on white lower lip). ["unique"] Pearl orchid, Piperia candida (white flower and white-greenish stem). Spotted coral root Orchid (red flower, red spots on the white lower lip). Wintergreen, Pyrola picta var. aphylla (red). Sugar scoop (saxifrage, sometimes called False Mitrewort), Tiatella unifoliata (white). By East Berry Creek Bridge: 4 new slugs; 39 total. 6 aquatic newts in the stream plus [] newt lavae spheres. ["unique"] Yellow third-inch diameter pin-cushion flower heads on long stems. Deerweed (a.k.a. California broom), Lotus Scoparius (yellow and red). ["unique"] Salal, Gaultheria shallon ["unique"] Golden Chinquapin. Both both male and female flowers Bush poppy (yellow). Scrub oak (Quercus dumosa). California wild lilac (a.k.a. California Blue Brush) (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus). ["unique"] Chamise (white). By Sunset camp connector trail: 1 new slug; 40 total. 0 new newts; 6 total. Trail Plant (Adenocaulon bicolor) (cluster of very tiny 5-petaled white flowers. Bring your magnifying glass!!). Ocean spray (white). Coast Boykinia (a.k.a. Brook Foam), Boykinia Elata (5 open white petals). Alum root (a.k.a. small-flowered Heuchera) (white). Vari-leaf collomia (Collomia heterophylla): pink flower with white center. [Keyed by Scott Peden.] ["unique"] Wild Ginger (maroon). By Silver Falls: 4 new slugs; 39 total. 8 aquatic newts at the Falls; 14 total. Inside-out flower (white). Burning Bush near stream (brownish red flowers hide under the outermost leaves). Thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus). White. On right wall (looking at falls) of Berry Creek Falls. By Berry Creek Falls Bench and Viewing Platform: 6 new slugs; 45 total. 3 new newts; 17 total. Newly hatched newts 2 aquatic newts were in the pool near bridge over East Berry Creek. 1 aquatic newt was in stream by that bridge over East Berry Creek, as were many (approx 35) larvae (small newts recently hatched). By Berry Creek Falls view from Seat: 2 new slugs; 47 total. 0 new newts: 17 total newts. ["unique"] California blackberry (white). ["unique"] California toothwort, Dentaria californica (mauve). ["unique"] Small-leaved montia, Montia parvifolia (white, 5 petals, small alternate leaves and basal rosette). ["unique"] Scott to i.d. further. By Timms Creek Trail: 20 new slugs; 67 total. 0 new newts: 17 total newts. By West (lower) End of the connector trail: 10 new slugs; 77 total. By East (upper) End of the connector trail: 0 new slugs; 77 total. By Kelly Creek Bridge: 3 new slugs; 80 total. By Sunset connector: 10 new slugs; 90 total. By Middle Ridge Fire Road: 2 new slugs; 92 total. ["unique"]. Spiny Sowthistle; a new milky sapped plant with dandelion-like flowers. [Keyed by Scott Peden.] Arriving back at Park Head Quarters: 8 new slugs (3 of them were fingerlings, as were many others today); 100 total.

Wednesday, June 14, 2006.

Report by J. Zimmerman.

2-layer fresh half of the day; 1-layer warm half-way. (8:40 a.m. - 4:05 p.m.) Waterfalls still glorious. 84 Banana Slugs. 44 different wildflower species in bloom. No newts. No butterflies; one yellow spotted millipede. Slug and flower graphs (in new window). (Access Scott's Flower Photos in his on-line portfolio.) We list the wildflowers below in the order that we encountered them for the first time on the hike.

New 'Wonder pics' by Scott (join Yahoo group site for 'Santa Cruz Mountains Hiking Trails' to get individual mails to see newest photos you can chose from): Hairy Star Tulip Spotted Coral Root Orchid, Burning Bush Coffee Berry Bee in the Chamise, Sorrell seed head (really interesting!)

Lots of wildflowers visible by the Ranger Station HQ: Bedstraw a.k.a. Cleavers (Galium aparine). Tiny white flowers. California hedge nettle (Stachys bulleta) Not a true nettle, so you may touch it painlessly. Rose/blue/purplish flowers. ["unique"] Triplet Lily. (a.k.a. Common Triteleia, Grass Nut, or Ithuriel's Spear) (Triteleia laxa). Purple. Rushes. Star lily or Fremont's star lily (Zygadenus fremontii). Western azalea (cream). Woodland madia (a.k.a. tarweed) (Madia madioides). Cats Ear (yellow composite). Yellow sanicle (a.k.a. snakeroot) (Sanicula arctopoides). Yerba buena (light blue). Additional flowers seen at HQ in the previous week by docent Scott Peden: Redwood sorrel. Huckleberry (white). Additional flowers seen at HQ in the following week by docent Scott Peden: Bur chervil (Anthriscus caucalis) (ALIEN). Forget-me-not (ALIEN). Foxglove (ALIEN). Broad-leaved helleborine (Epipactis helleborine) (ALIEN). Miner's lettuce. Take Sky-Line-to-the-Sea Trail toward Middle Ridge Fire Road. Slug count so far is 0. Redwood violet (a.k.a. Evergreen violet) (Viola sempervirens). Yerba de selva (a.k.a. Weed of the Woods) (Whipplea modesta). Pacific star flower (Trientalis latifolia). Alum root (a.k.a. crevice heuchera or small-flowered heuchera) (Heuchera micrantha). The petals of this flower curl back. Fernald Iris (Iris fernaldii). Creamy petals with purple veins. Hairy star tulip (Calochortus tolmiei). Vetch. California milkwort (Polygala californica). By Middle Ridge Fire Road: 7 new slugs, 7 total. Hawkweed (white; leaves alternate; otherwise similar growth pattern to madia). Two-eyed violet (Viola ocellata). By Sunset Connector Trail junction: 13 new slugs, 20 total. Thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus). White. Blue Dicks (Dichelostemma pulchella). By Kelly Creek Bridge: 17 new slugs, 37 total. Small-leaved montia (Montia parvifolia). White, 5 petals, small alternate leaves and basal rosette; delicate. Toothwort (Dentaria californica, var. integrifolia). White, sometimes with lavender tinge. By East End (upper) of the side trail: 11 new slug, 48 total. By West End (lower) of the side trail: 0 new slugs, 48 total. Red clintonia (Clintonia andrewsiana). By Timms Creek Trail: 11 new slug, 59 total. Coast Boykinia (Boykinia Elata) (white). Aka Brook Foam. (5 open white petals). Redwood sorrel (Oxalis oregana). White; sometimes mauve, pinkish, or bluish. ["unique"] Burning Bush near stream (brownish red flowers hide under the outermost leaves) By West Waddell Creek Bridge: 12 new slugs, 71 total. By Berry Creek Falls first view (at Seat): 0 new slugs, 71 total. Trail Plant (Adenocaulon bicolor). By Berry Creek Falls viewing platform and bench: 1 new slug, 72 total. Sugar scoop (saxifrage, sometimes called False Mitrewort), Tiatella unifoliata. White. Inside-out flower (Vancouveria planipetala). White. California (or Pacific) blackberry (Rubus ursinus). By Silver Falls. 7 new slugs, 79 total. By Sunset Camp Connector Trail junction with Sunset Trail: 0 new slugs, 79 total. Trefoil: Small-flowered Trefoil (Lotus Micranthus). Bush Poppy. Yellow. Chamise (Adenostoma fasiculatum). Yerba Santa (Holy Herb) (a.k.a. California mountain balm) (Eriodictyon californicum). Blue. ["unique"] Pearly Everlasting. Salal (Gaultheria shallon). Orange Sticky Monkey Flower (Diplacus aurantiacus). By East Berry Creek Bridge: 0 new slugs, 79 total. Unspotted Coral Root Orchid (Chorallorhiza). Wintergreen (Pyrola picta var. aphylla) (red). Pearl orchid (Piperia Candida). By Timms Creek Trail junction with Sunset Trail: 3 new slugs, 82 total. By West Waddell Creek Bridge: 0 new slugs, 82 total. One-leaved Onion (Triteleia laxa). ["unique"] White globe lily (Calochortus albus). Tinged slightly peach. This 3-petaled globe-like flower hangs like a delicate lantern from a slender stem; it is one of the most beautiful flowers in this area. By Sky-Line-to-the-Sea Trail Connector junction with Sunset Trail: 2 new slugs, 84 total. By Middle Ridge Fire Road: 0 new slugs, 84 total. By Dool Trail: No additions. By HQ: No additions.

Wednesday, June 1, 2005.

Report by J. Zimmerman.

1-layer warm most of day; to 85°. A little humid. (7:35 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.) Waterfalls still glorious. 87 Banana Slugs. 44 different wildflower species in bloom. No newts. 1 snake (coast garter snake). Many butterflies especially the California sister; also a yellow spotted millipede. Slug and flower graphs (in new window). (Access Scott's Flower Photos in his on-line portfolio.) We list the wildflowers below in the order that we encountered them for the first time on the hike.

Lots of wildflowers visible by the Ranger Station HQ: Bedstraw a.k.a. Cleavers (Galium aparine). Tiny white flowers. ["unique"] Bur chervil (Anthriscus caucalis) (ALIEN). 5 small white wedge-shaped petals with straight wide ends. ["unique"] Forget-me-not (ALIEN). ["unique"] Forget-me-a-little-bit? White flower 5 white petals with yellow center. Flower looks like forget-me-not without the 5 little ridges. Golden Brodiaea (Triteleia ixioides). Miner's Lettuce (Montia perfoliata). ["unique"] Plantain. Purple Nutsedge (brown flowers). Redwood sorrel (Oxalis oregana). White; sometimes mauve, pinkish, or bluish. Rushes: at least two types in flower. ["unique"] Scarlet pimpernel (ALIEN). Sow thistle. Star lily or Fremont's star lily (Zygadenus fremontii). Western azalea (cream). Woodland madia (a.k.a. tarweed) (Madia madioides). Yellow sanicle (a.k.a. snakeroot) (Sanicula arctopoides). Yerba buena (light blue). Slug #1 on concrete sidewalk by HQ. Take Sky-Line-to-the-Sea Trail toward Middle Ridge Fire Road. Slug count so far is 1. Redwood violet (a.k.a. Evergreen violet) (Viola sempervirens). Pacific star flower (Trientalis latifolia). Yerba de selva (a.k.a. Weed of the Woods) (Whipplea modesta). Alum root (a.k.a. crevice heuchera or small-flowered heuchera) (Heuchera micrantha). The petals of this flower curl back. [SP's identification.] Fernald Iris (Iris fernaldii). Creamy petals with purple veins. By Middle Ridge Fire Road: 6 new slugs, 7 total. Hawkweed (white; leaves alternate; otherwise similar growth pattern to madia). White globe lily (Calochortus albus). Tinged slightly peach. This 3-petaled globe-like flower hangs like a delicate lantern from a slender stem; it is one of the most beautiful flowers in this area. Hill star (Lithophragma heterophylla [leaf loving]). White. 5 petals. Flower base truncate or rounded ("U-shaped"). Toothwort (Dentaria californica, var. integrifolia). White, sometimes with lavender tinge. Two-eyed violet (Viola ocellata). California hedge nettle (Stachys bulleta). Not a true nettle, so you may touch it painlessly. California milkwort (Polygala californica). Rose/blue/purplish flowers. California wild lilac (a.k.a. California Blue Brush) (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus). By Sunset Connector Trail junction: 26 new slugs, 33 total. California (or Pacific) blackberry (Rubus ursinus). Dannie's Skullcap (Scutellaria tuberosa. 5-petaled, 2-lipped tubular flower (mint family). California strawberry (Fragaria californica). ["unique"] Ocean spray (white). ["unique"] Douglas' Nightshade (Solanum douglasii). White. Wood rose (Rosa gymnocarpa). Delicate spines. ["unique"] Golden Triteleia or Pretty Face. (also Golden Brodiaea) (Triteleia ixioides a.k.a. its old Latin name of Brodiaea Luta). 5 pointed petals, dark pink with white center. Plant about 4" high. Leaves at top of stem are a rosette of 5 below flower. Lower down they are opposite on scrawny branched stems. Blue Dicks (Brodiaea pulchella). Wintergreen (Pyrola picta var. aphylla) (red). By Kelly Creek Bridge: 20 new slugs, 53 total. By East End (upper) of the side trail: 2 new slug, 55 total. By West End (lower) of the side trail: Marker missing. Red clintonia (Clintonia andrewsiana). By Timms Creek Trail: 71 total. Coast Boykinia (Boykinia Elata) (white). Aka Brook Foam. (5 open white petals). Inside-out flower (Vancouveria planipetala). Small-leaved montia (Montia parvifolia) (white, 5 petals, small alternate leaves and basal rosette; delicate). ["unique"] Burning Bush near stream (brownish red flowers hide under the outermost leaves) By West Waddell Creek Bridge: 8 new slugs, 79 total. ["unique"] Spotted coral root orchid (yellow, spots on lower lip). By Berry Creek Falls first view (at Seat): 0 new slugs, 79 total. Vetch. By Berry Creek Falls viewing platform and bench: 4 new slugs, 83 total. By Silver Falls. 6 new slugs, 89 total. Hairy star tulip (Calochortus Tolmiei). By Sunset Camp Connector Trail junction with Sunset Trail: 0 new slugs, 89 total. Trefoil: Small-flowered Trefoil (Lotus Micranthus). Bush Poppy. Yellow. Interior live oak. (1"-long hard leathery leaves; 2" dangly yellow-green stalks of flower blobs.) Chamise (Adenostoma fasiculatum). Yerba Santa (Holy Herb) (a.k.a. California mountain balm) (Eriodictyon californicum). Blue. SYCs: Small Yellow composites. Orange Sticky Monkey Flower (Diplacus aurantiacus). Salal (Gaultheria shallon). By East Berry Creek Bridge: 0 new slugs, 89 total. ["unique"] Three pearl orchids (Piperia Candida). ["unique"] Yellow-flowered unspotted Coral Root Orchid. By Timms Creek Trail junction with Sunset Trail: 0 new slugs, 89 total. By West Waddell Creek Bridge: 1 new slugs, 90 total. ["unique"] Hairy Honeysuckle (Lonicera hispidula) (pink) By Sky-Line-to-the-Sea Trail Connector junction with Sunset Trail: 16 new slugs, 106 total. By Middle Ridge Fire Road: 2 new slugs, 108 total. By Dool Trail: No additions. By HQ: No additions.

Thursday June 3rd, 2004.

Report by J. Zimmerman and Scott Peden.

104 Banana Slugs. 61 different flower species in bloom. (Access Scott's Flower Photos in his on-line portfolio.) (Look at slug and flower count graph in a new window.) Also, 2 Aquatic Newts; 1 Yellow Spotted Millipede; body of a black vole near start of trail. We list the flowers below in the order that we encountered them for the first time on the hike.

Starting with the flowers at Ranger Station HQ (most of which are seen on the loop trail also): California Hedge nettle (pink). Forget-me-not (blue). [ok, they are alien. But ain't they sweet!] Miner's lettuce (white). One Leaved Onion, Allium unifolium (mauve). Stinging nettle (pale green). [*OUCH* do not *TOUCH*] Western azalea (cream). Yerba buena (light blue). Taking Sky-Line-to-the-Sea Trail toward Berry Creek Falls: Bedstraw (white). Purple Nutsedge (brown flowers). Rush. Redwood violet (yellow). Madia / Tarweed (yellow). Yerba de Selva (white). Pacific starflower (pink star). Fat (False) Solomon's seal (white). Alum root (white). [Aka small-flowered Heuchera.] Hairy star tulip, Calochortus tolmiei (white). Milkwort (rose-purple pea-like flowers on an herbaceous plant). Two-eyed violet (white with purple eye spots and purple back to top two petals). Fernald's iris (cream - ovary low with a very long funnel [as opposed to the high-ovary Douglas iris] ). By Middle Ridge Fire Road: Nanner count so far is 5. Orange sticky monkey flower (orange). Globe lily (white, tinted slightly peach). [This is JZ's favorite of all our wonderful flowers.] Hairy Honeysuckle, Lonicera hispidula (pink). Blue witch (blue with gold center). Wintergreen, Pyrola picta var. aphylla (red). Redwood sorrel (pink). By Sunset connector: 17 new slugs, 22 total. Triplet Lily. (a.k.a. Common Triteleia, Grass Nut, or Ithuriel's Spear) (Triteleia laxa) California blackberry (white). Douglas nightshade (white with gold center). Wood rose (red). [At least 2 out of 3 Roses are in bloom right now But we do not distinguish them.] By Kelly Creek Bridge: 29 new slugs, 51 total. Small-leaved montia, Montia parvifolia (white, 5 petals, small alternate leaves and basal rosette). California wild lilac, Ceanothus Thyrsiflorus (blue). Thimbleberry (white). California toothwort, Dentaria californica (mauve). Red Clintonia. Tan oak (male and female flowers on the trees). By East (upper) End of the connector trail: 7 new slugs, 58 total. By West (lower) End of the connector trail: 12 new slugs, 70 total. Inside-out flower (white). Sugar scoop (saxifrage, sometimes called False Mitrewort), Tiatella unifoliata (white). Trail Plant (Adenocaulon bicolor). Cluster of very tiny 5-petaled flowers. Bring your magnifying glass!! By Timms Creek Trail: 13 new slugs, 83 total. Coast Boykinia, Boykinia Elata (white). Aka Brook Foam. (5 open white petals). Ocean spray (white). Hawkweed (white; similar growth pattern to madia). Mystery yellow flower. By BC Falls Bench: 8 new slugs, 91 total. Burning Bush near stream (brownish red flowers hide under the outermost leaves) By Silver Falls. 5 new slugs, 96 total By Sunset camp connector trail: 2 new slugs, 98 total. Also Yellow Spotted Millipede. California Butter Weed, Senecio aronicoides (yellow). Golden yarrow, Eriophyllum confertiflorum (yellow, 5 petals, 2 lines down length of petal). California broom (yellow). Chamise (white). Bush poppy (yellow). Toyon (green-white). Huckleberry (white). Lupine (blue). Yerba santa (blue). Sensitive manzanita (white). By East Berry Creek Bridge: 1 New Nanner, 99 total; 2 Aquatic Newts Torry or Redwood Pea Lathyrus torreyi (pink) Pearl orchid, Piperia candida (white flower and white-greenish stem). Spotted coral root Orchid (red flower, red spots on the white lower lip). Spotted coral root without spots on the white lip (red flower). Spotted coral root orchid (yellow, no spots on white lower lip). Pearly Everlasting. Small flowered Trefoil, Lotus Micranthus (blooms white; flower turns red with age). Our specimen had a red and a white flower. By Sunset trail at Timms Creek Trail: 0 new slugs, 99 total. By Sunset trail at West Waddell Creek Bridge: 1 New Nanner, total 100. By Sky-Line-to-the-Sea Trail Connector/on Sunset Trail: 3 new slugs, 103 total. By Middle Ridge Fire Road: 1 New Nanner, 104 total. By Dool Trail: 0 new slugs, 104 total.

Wednesday June 16th, 2004. Counter-clockwise.

Report by J. Zimmerman and Scott Peden.

Note: The data charted on the slug and flower count graphs are from the first walk of the month, which is performed in the clockwise direction. As we were able to make a second survey this month, we elected to perform it in the reverse direction.

Designation of "unique": In this report, for the first time, we introduce the designation of "unique" for those species that were seen in a single location.

64 Banana Slugs. 54 different flower species in bloom. (Access Scott's Flower Photos in his on-line portfolio.) (Look at slug and flower count graph in a new window.) Also, 11 Aquatic Newts; 1 fuzzy yellow-white-black caterpillar; and 1 garter snake with yellow stripe on back and orange stripes on sides. We list the flowers below in the order that we encountered them for the first time on the hike.

Starting with the flowers at Ranger Station HQ (many of which are seen on the loop trail also): California Hedge nettle (pink). ["unique" and alien] Forget-me-not (blue). [ok, they are alien. But ain't they sweet!] ["unique"] Golden Brodiaea, Brodiaea Lutea or (Triteleia) Calliprora ixioides ["unique"] Miner's lettuce (white). One Leaved Onion, Allium unifolium (mauve). ["unique"] Stinging nettle (pale green). [*OUCH* do not *TOUCH*] Tarweed, Madia madioides (yellow) Tarweed type#2, (yellow). Western azalea (cream). ["unique"] Western sweet cicely (greenish flowers; long sharp-pointed seeds). Yerba buena (light blue). Taking Dool Trail toward Sunset Trail - beginning our counter-clockwise exploration. Redwood violet (yellow). By Middle Ridge Fire Road: 0 Nanners. Milkwort (rose-purple pea-like flowers on an herbaceous plant). Triplet Lily. (a.k.a. Common Triteleia, Grass Nut, or Ithuriel's Spear) ( Triteleia laxa) By Sky-Line-to-the-Sea Trail Connector/on Sunset Trail: We have just seen our first Nanner. California blackberry (white). Rush. Hawkweed (white; similar growth pattern to madia). Redwood sorrel (pink). ["unique"] Coffee berry (green, 5-pointed, small flower). Two-eyed violet (white with purple eye spots and purple back to top two petals). Wintergreen, Pyrola picta var. aphylla (red). Hairy star tulip, Calochortus tolmiei (white). Orange sticky monkey flower (orange). Hairy Honeysuckle, Lonicera hispidula (pink). Yerba de Selva (white). California Harebell, Asyneuma prenanthoides (blue). By Sunset trail at West Waddell Creek Bridge: 18 new slugs total 19. Purple Nutsedge (brown flowers). Sugar scoop (saxifrage, sometimes called False Mitrewort), Tiatella unifoliata (white). By Sunset trail at Timms Creek Trail: 0 new slugs, 19 total. Coral root orchid (yellow, no spots on white lower lip). ["unique"] Pearl orchid, Piperia candida (white flower and white-greenish stem). Spotted coral root Orchid (red flower, red spots on the white lower lip). Plump and fast fuzzy caterpillar: white fur on a black and yellow body). By East Berry Creek Bridge: 7 new slugs (many were very small), 26 total. Salal, Gaultheria shallon. California broom, a.k.a. deerweed, Lotus Scoparius (yellow and red). Yerba santa (blue). Bush poppy (yellow). ["unique"] Lupine (purple). ["unique"] Chamise (white). By Sunset camp connector trail: 0 new slugs, 26 total. Ocean spray (white). Alum root (white). [Aka small-flowered Heuchera.] Coast Boykinia, Boykinia Elata (white). Aka Brook Foam. (5 open white petals). ["unique"] Wild Ginger (maroon). By Silver Falls. 2 new slugs, 28 total 8 aquatic newts at the Falls. ["unique"] Burning Bush near stream (brownish red flowers hide under the outermost leaves). Trail Plant (Adenocaulon bicolor) (cluster of very tiny 5-petaled white flowers. Bring your magnifying glass!!). Pacific starflower (pink star). Aquatic garter snake with yellow stripe on its back and orange stripes on its sides; very handsome and fluid. Well fed and maybe 20-26 inches long. Looked as if he'd swallowed a recent meal and was trying to use the sun's warmth to help digest it. Red Clintonia (red). 3 more aquatic newts at pool near bridge over East Berry Creek. By BC Falls Bench: 1 New Nanner, 29 total. ["unique"] California hazelnut (tiny green male flower). Inside-out flower (white). ["unique"] Small-leaved montia, Montia parvifolia (white, 5 petals, small alternate leaves and basal rosette). Elks Clover a.k.a. Spikenard (white flowers, huge leaves, always near water). By Timms Creek Trail: 2 new slugs, 31 total. By West (lower) End of the connector trail: 5 new slugs, 36 total. ["unique"] Tan oak. By East (upper) End of the connector trail: 8 new slugs, 44 total. By Kelly Creek Bridge: 4 new slugs, 48 total. ["unique"] Wild Strawberry (white). ["unique"] Douglas nightshade (white with gold center). ["unique"] Wood rose (red). By Sunset connector: 6 new slugs, 54 total. ["unique"] California toothwort, Dentaria californica (mauve). By Middle Ridge Fire Road: 9 new slugs, 63 total. ["unique"] Fat (False) Solomon's seal (white). Arriving back via Sky-Line-to-the-Sea Trail: 1 New Nanner, 64 total.

Thursday June 12th, 2003.

A 6-hour solo hike on a cool (2 layer), humid afternoon found 41 flower species in bloom (slightly fewer than reported in June 2002), mostly of the species reported there.

I set a solo-hike record of 157 banana slugs, including a mated pair. This is the third highest total recorded for this trail loop. I also saw 3 newts and various black-and-yellow centipedes.

On a sad note, two young women had an off-leash dog on the trail, which is marked at the entrance at Opal Creek as being closed to dogs. Out of respect for the natural environment, and so as not to scare off wildlife or damage the natural habitat, do not bring your dog on this trail.

Tuesday June 11th, 2002.

Summer (June 2002) California Redwoods and Waterfalls: The Berry Creek Falls Loop in the Forest of Big Basin State Park.
by Scott Peden

47 banana slugs, 2nd highest count this year. (Slug photos) 49 Different flowers in Bloom - another new record since the beginning of the year, and a "high for one day" in the 6 years that I have been doing flower walks at Big Basin. (See how to access Scott's Flower Photos in his on-line portfolio.) (Look at slug and flower count graph in a new window.) Note: I list the flowers below in the order that I encountered the first one of that type, on each section of the trail. Also, in common names used, I first use the ones listed in Plants of the Coastal Redwood Region by Lyons and Cuneo-Lazaneo, with occasional additional notes. I have identified my "Saxifrages" and have put helpful notes after their names. This increases the count by 3 compared to just listing them as Saxifrages, as I have done in the past.

[I am noting more and more the unusualness of this year, as we have only had about 6 inches of rain since Christmas, and it is not uncommon to get 22+ inches in February alone. Some flower species are blooming later than I have ever seen them, and others are more abundant than I have noted in the past, while some areas that have had flowers aplenty in previous years, have had very few in the same sections of trail, from my previous 6 years of observations.

There was a heat wave for a few days last week, and I expected to lose more flower species to the increased warmth. Some mentioned that were common last month, only had one or two representatives this month.]

THE HIGHLIGHTS

From the Ranger Station/HQ, taking Skyline to the Sea Trail toward Berry Creek Falls:  
  
In the meadow next to the parking Kiosk entering the park:
    1. One Leaved Onion (Allium unifolium) (Bluish or Purplish color) 
    2. Golden Brodiaea, Brodiaea Lutea or  (Triteleia) Calliprora ixioides
    3. Western Azalea (you must stick your nose in this one)
    4. Yerba Buena (Good Herb)
	
Opal Creek to Middle Ridge Fire Road:
    5. Hairy Star Tulip     Calochortus Tolmiei
    6. Purple Nutsedge (strange flowers)
    7. Redwood Violet (of course it is yellow)
    8. Bedstraw/Cleavers (tiny flowers)
    9. Pacific Star Flower, the flower sits on an almost invisible stem 1-1/2 inches above the leaf
	         cluster, it sort of hovers there.
   10. Yerba de Selva (Weed of the Woods)
     * Winter Wren on the side of the trail acting wounded. I am wondering where her chick is, as this is
	         obviously a ruse to distract us, maybe it worked, as we wouldn't have noticed her if she hadn't
	         been real close to the trail, and we may have missed what she wanted us to.
   11. Tarweed, Madia madioides (yellow 'incomplete' flowers)
    
Middle Ridge Fire Road to Sunset Connector Trail:
   12. Globe Lily 
   13. Hairy Honeysuckle
     * The first Banana Slug of the day.
   14. Orange Sticky Monkey Flower (the leaves are sticky at certain times of the year)
   15. Winter Green, Pyrolia Picta (actually red)
   16. Milkwort (blue/purplish flower)
   17. California Hedge Nettle (not a true nettle, fortunately, as many folks brush against this one)
   18. Redwood Sorrel (mistaken by some as clover)
Banana Slugs total 12
 
Sunset Connector Trail to Kelley Creek Bridge:
   19. Two Eyed Violet
       Milkwort
       Tarweed
   (From here to the next marker, this is a hillside meadow, many flowers here most of the season)
       Globe Lily
       Ca Hedge nettle
   20. Wild Strawberry
   21. Thimbleberry 
       Pacific Starflower
   22. Ocean Spray (up the hillside a bit, on your right at the end of the hillside meadow)
   23. California Black Berry
   24. The last flower on the Blue Witch (on the left, just over the tiny creek, and past the tree)
   25. Toothwort
   26. Woodrose (down the hillside on your left)
   (End of hillside meadow)
     * a six-inch diameter widow-maker stuck vertically in the ground just before Kelley Creek Bridge.
	         Impressive, and sobering, as it is firmly placed in the ground, and confirms that
			 one should NOT walk in these forests when strong winds blow down branches.
Banana Slugs, 5 more, for a total of 17
 
Kelly Creek Bridge to the east end of the Loop Trail:
   27. Alum Root. The petals of this flower curl back.
       Ca. Hedge nettle
       Pacific Starflower
       Redwood Violet
       Yerba de Selva
     * Fat (False)Solomon's Seals beautiful seed pods. 
   28. Red Clintonia (large green glossy leaves)
       Redwood Sorrel
Banana Slugs, 2 more, total 19
 
East end of the Loop Trail to the west end of the Loop Trail:
       Pacific Starflower
       Yerba de Selva
       Ca. Hedge Nettle
     * Bright yellow 'mold'? on the ground.
       Alum Root
       Redwood Sorrel
       Toothwort
   29. UNBELIEVABLE! 1 Hookers Fairy Bell flower, they were all but gone 4 weeks ago. (the
	         flowers and berries are hidden in pairs under the ends of the twin leaves at the end of the stalks)
Banana Slugs 8, total 27
 
West end of Loop Trail to Timms Creek Trail:
       Pacific Starflower
       Redwood Sorrel
     * Western Wake Robin (Trillium Ovatum) the leaves are huge now probably three times the size
	         they were a couple of months ago when they were in flower, and the seed pods are large
	         and bursting open.
       Ca. Hedge Nettle
       Red Clintonia
       Bedstraw
   30. Sugar-Scoop,  many stamens protrude from the flower.
       Redwood Violet
Banana slugs, 3, total 30
 
Timms Creek Trail to the Berry Creek Falls viewing bench:
       Pacific Starflower
       Sugar-Scoop,
       Redwood Sorrel
       Red Clintonia
       Yerba de Selva
       Alum Root
   31. Small Leaved Montia, montia parvifolia, looks similar to 
	         (Few seeded) (Western) Bittercress (Cardamine oligosperma),
	         but has a 5-petaled flower.
   32. Vetch
   33. Inside Out Flower (Its leaves are similar to Maiden Fern, but this isn't a fern).
       Ca Hedge Nettle
       Toothwort
   34. Burning Bush (flowers and seeds hidden under the outermost leaves)
       Bedstraw
   35. Mountain Boykinia ? Boykinia Major Flowers are attached to Green branching stems.
   36. Hawkweed (white, and somewhat similar growth pattern to the Tarweed/Madia)
       Tarweed
     * at the bench, it is obvious that Falls are starting to show a marked decrease in water flow, but the
	         beauty of them hasn't diminished. Look at the crooked Redwoods up and to your right!
Banana Slugs 6 more, total now 36. 
Usually after we leave this area, the number of Banana Slugs is markedly less.
 
Berry Creek Falls viewing bench to Silver Falls:
       Tarweed
       Red Clintonia    
       Redwood Violet
       Pacific Starflower
   37. Brook Foam, Coast Boykinia, Boykinia Elata. The flowers are attached to red branching stems.
   38. 	Trail Plant (Adenocaulon bicolor). 
       What appears to be a tiny flower at the top of this plant is actually a cluster of 5 or
	         more 5 petaled flowers. Bring your magnifying glass!!
   39. Elks Clover/Spikenard Huge leaves, and always near water.
       Inside Out Flower
       Redwood Sorrel
     * Banana Slug eating a mushroom. We decided to call this one 'Alice'.
Banana Slugs 2 total now 38
 
Silver Falls to Sunset Camp trail marker:
       Redwood Sorrel
       Mountain Boykinia
     * Seed pods on the small nutmegs that we are walking under.
       Ca Hedge nettle
       Hairy Honeysuckle
       Trail Plant (Adenocaulon bicolor)
       Pacific Starflower
       Tarweed
       Hairy Star Tulip
       Yerba de Selva
       Milkwort
Banana Slugs, no new sightings
 
Sunset Trail Camp trail marker to East Berry Creek Bridge:
   40. California Broom
       Milkwort
       Tarweed
       Hawkweed   
       Ca Hedge Nettle
   (This is the chaparral area near Sunset camp, till I note re-entering the coniferous forest)
   41. Chamise
   42. Bush Poppy
   43. Yerba Santa (Herb of the Saints)
   44. Lupine (Sky)
     * Ripe berries of the miniature chaparral sized Huckleberry.
   (Just as you re-enter the forest)
     * Manzanita berries (Manzanita means little apples) There are many varieties on manzanita on this
	         part of the trail.
   45. Salal,  flowers and berries at this time.
       Redwood Sorrel
       Yerba de Selva
       Vetch
Banana Slugs, No new sightings
 
East berry Creek bridge to Timms Creek Trail:
       Brook Foam, Boykinia elata
       Pacific Starflower
       Yerba de Selva
       Alum Root
       Redwood Sorrel
       Tarweed
       Globe Lily
       Wintergreen, Pyrolia Picta (Pinkish Red)
       Milkwort
       Wood Rose
       Ca Hedge nettle
       Two Eyed Violets (note that if you look at the back of this flower, it has two more eyes there!)
   46. White Milkwort! Uncommon
       Spotted Coral Root Orchid 'yellow unspotted variety' someday we will have pictures of the
	         varieties on the web site.
Banana Slugs 3, totaling 41 now
 
Timms Creek Trail to West Waddell Creek bridge:
       Tarweed
   47. Spotted Coral Root Orchid 'red unspotted variety'    
       Pacific Starflower
       Yerba de Selva
   48. Spotted Coral Root Orchid 'spotted'!
Banana Slugs, no new sightings
 
West Waddell Creek bridge to Skyline to the Sea Connector Trail:
       Hairy Star Tulip
       Spotted Coral Root Orchid 'red unspotted variety'
       Two Eyed Violet
       Redwood Violet
       Tarweed
       Milkwort
       Pacific Starflower
       Winter green Pirolia Picta
       Globe Lily
     * the empty halves of a robins egg, fresh hatched, as the inside wasn't completely dry.
   49. Hellebourine (orchid,  invasive species from Europe, it is the stream orchids cousin)
       Hairy Honeysuckle
       Yerba Buena
       Yerba de Selva
       Orange Sticky Monkey flower
     * Iris seed pods ready to 'disgorge' its sticky seeds
       Spotted Coral Root Orchid 'spotted'
     * the first green redwood cones on the ground
       Ca Hedge Nettle
     * Yellow Spotted Millipede
       Winter green, Pyrolia Bracteata
       One Leaved Onion
Banana Slugs 6 more on this long stretch of the trail, total now stands at 47
 
Sunset Trail Connector to Middle Ridge Rd:
     * The long "pea" pods of the vetch
       Ca Hedge nettle
       tarweed
       One Leaved Onion
       Globe Lily
       Milkwort
Banana Slugs none
 
No more flowers or Banana Slugs after Middle Ridge Rd on the way back to Park HQ.  

The above report for 2002 is Copyright © 2002 by Scott Peden.

Our continued thanks to the Trail crews of the State Park System, and the several volunteer trail crews, some of whom have been at this for 30 years. They do a huge amount of unseen work to make this part of the park accessible to us. Respect the Berry Creek Falls Trail, a loop in Big Basin State Park in the Santa Cruz Mountains near Boulder Creek. Respect the trail restrictions, in courtesy for the Forest and other users. Hikers only. No dogs. No horses. No mountain bikes.

See also these pages

	Redwood Region Flower Finder : A Guide to Identifying Wildflowers of The Coastal Fog Belt of California by Phoebe Watts, Sarah Ellen Watts (Illustrator).
	Support us in bringing redwood reports to you - buy what you want at Amazon!
Some more hiking suggestions from George Wuerthner.	Coast Redwood : A Natural and Cultural History. Editors Michael G. Barbour, John Evarts, Marjorie Popper.

Forest and Tree Articles - Our Index, Glossary pages: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z. Web log of books read.

[Thanks for visiting.]

Copyright © 2002-2009 by J. Zimmerman and Scott Peden.