Join Don Thomas for a 3 to 4 mile hike with 500+ feet in elevation change, to search for the elusive Western leatherwood at Pulgas Ridge OSP near Edgewood Road. Western leatherwood (Dirca occidentalis) is a rare paleoendemic plant native only to the San Francisco Bay Area, ranked by CNPS as 1B.2. (Read more about CNPS rare plant ranks at www.cnps.org/rare-plants/california-rare-plant-ranks.)
Dirca is one of our earliest flowering native plants, blooming in mid-to-late winter before most other natives begin blooming in the spring. We will look for late- flowering Dirca along the Dusky Woodrat Trail. We may be able to observe other early-blooming plants, such as manzanitas and gooseberries.
Space is limited. No drop-ins please. To complete the required RSVP, please visit our Chapter’s Meetup page.
Driving directions and parking tips are provided on the Meetup page. Before signing up, please read about Pulgas Ridge OSP at www.openspace.org/preserves/pulgas-ridge.
Contact Don at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information. Trails are narrow at most parts and may be slippery and steep in some. Wear hiking shoes and we recommend bringing hiking poles. Bring water and snacks for an optional lunch in the picnic area following the walk. Heavy rain cancels.
Sat Mar 15 @10:00AM - 02:00PM Stile Ranch Trail (South San Jose) |
Wed Mar 19 @ 9:40AM - 01:00PM Tulare Hill Wildflower Walk (San Jose) |
Sun Mar 23 @ 9:00AM - 12:00PM Bird and Plant ID Walk at Lake Cunningham Park (San Jose) |
Thu Mar 27 @10:00AM - 02:00PM Bonny Doon Ecological Reserve Flora Walk (Bonny Doon) |
Wed Apr 02 @ 9:30AM - 01:30PM Red Hills Serpentine Walk (Tuolumne County) |
Wed Apr 09 @10:00AM - 02:00PM Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park (Gilroy) |