Tuesday, November 5, 2013

One last blast of autumn color at Rush Creek Open Space Preserve

Pinheiro Ridge Fire Road at Rush Creek Open Space Preserve

Rain is forecast in a few days, and many remaining autumn leaves will likely be swept from their trees. This hasn't been a blockbuster foliage year in the bay area, but I was excited to see oak leaves near their peak on Pinheiro Ridge this morning.
Oregon oak leaves

I had never been on this ridge, and barely found my way there today. Before leaving the house I printed out a Rush Creek map from the Marin County Parks website. I started as I have every other hike here, on Pinheiro Fire Road. At the junction with Rush Creek Fire Road, instead of continuing around the marsh as I usually do, I headed south on a straight trail between the cemetery and a housing development. Then, at Bugeia Lane, I turned right and started looking for the path shown on the map, a hiking-only trail connecting the path along the sidewalk with Pinheiro Ridge Fire Road. But I couldn't find the trail. When I got to the intersection with Atherton Avenue, I figured there was no way I could have missed the trail. Instead of backtracking, I turned onto Saddlewood Road and walked along the road (no sidewalks). After a few minutes I noticed a open space sign at a bare hillside on the left, but I was looking for a fire road, and there was no fire road there. A few more minutes down the road and I still hadn't found the fire road. I backtracked and stood in front of the steep hillside wondering where this mystical fire road was hiding. Luckily, I heard voices and a group came down the hill. This is indeed the fire road! So up I went, through pretty oaks, to the ridgeline, where the fire road is obvious. The deciduous oaks are at their autumnal peak this week, I think, blazing yellow and orange. This is a good place to test your oak mettle -- in addition to evergreen coast live oaks, there are Oregon and black oaks, both of which are gorgeous in autumn. I also enjoyed the views southeast out across the bay to Mount Diablo, and just slightly northwest to Mount Burdell. After a very steep descent on what must have been a social trail, I finished up the hike on 101 Trail. Great exercise on a lovely autumn day.

Back at home, I viewed the Rush Creek area using Google Earth, and it doesn't appear that the connector (shown on the open space map) connects anything at all -- it terminates on a hilltop between Saddlewood and Bugeia. Next time I hike here (and I will be back in late winter for the wildflowers) I will connect to Saddlewood from Pinheiro Fire Road (near the cemetery). This loop is about 3.3 miles.

Directions to the preserve here on my BAHiker Rush Creek page.

8 comments:

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Horace A. Hoover said...

There are few things as beautiful and serene as the colors of fall. I love to see the grapes changing colors, reds to oranges and then finally, back to green again. This has inspired me to share a little about the Rush Creek Open Space Preserve. Must you can check https://programminginsider.com/the-best-payment-options-for-gambling-transactions-in-online-slots/ to learn about the gambling. Not only is it a great natural recreational area but it also is home to numerous endangered species such as the California Red-Legged Frog.

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

One last blast of autumn's beautiful colors. I didn't see any leaves at Rush Creek Open Space Preserve, but I sure did check out the fall foliage on the path there. Need to check this https://www.jguru.com/top-7-resources-to-learn-about-gambling-in-the-uk/ and get more new tips about games. It was pretty as always and still very green a good way to end another amazing year.

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