Winter is approaching and the trees and plants in the forest are starting to get ready, even in the mild Bay Area climate. Join Docent Naturalists Ann McCarty, Paul Billig, and Liza Coe to observe what this preparation looks like in the plant kingdom as you hike through oak woodlands, chaparral, and redwoods. You’ll explore a variety of plant adaptations on this leisurely-paced out-and-back hike. Please bring a snack. (Note: parking is extremely limited, so please plan on carpooling if you can.)
Meet at the Thornewood Parking Area on La Honda Road. From I-280, take the Highway 84/Woodside Road exit. Follow Highway 84/Woodside Road through Woodside and then to a junction with Portola Road at 3.3. miles. Bear right to stay on Highway 84, now La Honda Road. At 4.9 miles from Highway 280, turn left at a brick wall marked 895-897; look for the Midpen sign just inside this gate. The small parking area is on the right about 500 feet from the entrance gate. Please do not drive beyond this lot toward the private residences.
Alternatively, from the junction of Highway 35 (Skyline Boulevard) and Highway 84 in Sky Londa, take Highway 84/La Honda Road north 1.9 miles and turn right at the brick wall marked 895-897.