Join Sonoma Mountain Preservation for fun and discovery on The Mountain.
Vipers and Volcanoes
Sunday, November 17th, 2024
9:30 am to 1 p.m.
Description:
On clear days, you can see the ocean, Mt. St. Helena, and the Valley of the Moon from the highest point on the Osborn Preserve. Join us for a guided tour to this stunning viewpoint, through the grasslands, ponds (including Kelly Pond), and oak woodlands that dot Sonoma Mountain’s western slope. We will learn about student projects–including new findings and results–focused on Sonoma Mountain igneous rocks and amphibian research. We may have the opportunity to gather data for the Red-Legged Frog Habitat Restoration (Bullfrog Mitigation) Project and find animals under the Osborn Preserve’s habitat boards. The hike is jointly sponsored by Sonoma Mountain Preservation and SSU’s Center for Environmental Inquiry.
The tour will be led by Jesse Schmeig, CEI Naturalist Training Graduate Assistant and SSU Biology graduate student (Girman lab), and Christine Anderson, CEI Naturalist Education Assistant, SSU alum and Geology maven, and Suzanne DeCoursey, Education Manager for SSU’s Center for Environmental Inquiry and SMP board member.
The hike ends at 1 pm but participants may choose to stay until 2pm to hike to the North Bay Wildfire Alert camera with a near 360-degree view. Total hike distance is 3 miles, with 500 feet elevation gain. Trail is rocky, narrow and steep in places. Bring layers, good walking shoes, water, a snack, sun protection, long pants that can be tucked into socks, and hiking poles if desired.
Fairfield Osborn Preserve is a 15-minute drive from Sonoma State’s main campus, on Lichau Road in Penngrove. Parking is limited so please consider carpooling. Driving directions can be found at this link.
Participants must sign a waiver upon arrival. Pets and smoking are not permitted.
A restroom, sink for hand-washing and potable water are available on site.
