California is a world hotspot of biodiversity, especially its botanical heritage. Our celebrated plant diversity can feel overwhelming to the beginner, but it need not be. By observing characteristics visible to the naked eye ̶ leaves, flowers and seeds ̶ one can easily identify common native plants of our area. Join Arvind Kumar and Ashok Jethanandani on this walk to build your botanical vocabulary and develop plant id skills. Beginners interested in plant identification are welcome; prior knowledge of native plants or botany is not required.
On this loop hike, we will walk up the New Almaden Trail and return via the Mine Hill Trail. The distance covered is 3 miles with 400’ of elevation gain/loss.
Bring a hat, water, a bag lunch and your favorite trail accessories (camera/smartphone/hand lens/binoculars/field guide/none). Dress in layers, and appropriately for winter weather. Heavy rain cancels. For more information contact Arvind at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (408) 715- 7020.
Directions: The park lies on the southwest border of San Jose. A map is here: goo.gl/maps/XuG4hafyKjy. We’ll meet at the McAbee entrance of the park (corner of McAbee Rd. and Whispering Pines Dr.). Caution: This large park has many widely separated entrances: be sure to go to the McAbee entrance. There is no parking lot; find street parking and walk to the entrance.
Fri Dec 27 @ 9:00AM - Edgewood Restoration |
Sat Dec 28 @ 8:00AM - 10:00AM Lake Cunningham Native Garden |
Sat Dec 28 @ 9:00AM - 11:00AM Community Work Day at the Native Plant Garden in Kirk Park |
Sat Dec 28 @ 9:00AM - 11:00AM Cataldi Park Native Garden |
Wed Jan 01 @10:00AM - 02:00PM New Year’s walk to Franklin Point, part of Año Nuevo State Park (Hwy 1 coast, southern San Mateo County) |
Fri Jan 03 @ 9:00AM - Edgewood Restoration |
Sat Jan 04 @ 8:00AM - 10:00AM Lake Cunningham Native Garden |
Sat Jan 04 @ 9:00AM - 11:00AM Community Work Day at the Native Plant Garden in Kirk Park |
Sat Jan 04 @ 9:00AM - 11:00AM Cataldi Park Native Garden |
Fri Jan 10 @ 9:00AM - Edgewood Restoration |