Explore the layered history of this preserve—from Indigenous stewardship to sawmill, estate, seminary, and open space—with Docent Naturalists John Seyfarth, Catherine Xun, and Nick Yatsko. You’ll begin with a walk through the Alma Cultural Landscape, making several interpretive stops. Following this first portion, you’ll have the opportunity to continue on an optional three-mile nature loop along the Middle Pete Siemens, Beaver, Thimbleberry, Oak Knoll, and Salamander Springs trails. This leisurely-paced hike moves through redwoods, oak woodlands, and traces of a landscape shaped by human use and natural change.
Meet at the Alma Parking Area. From Highway 17 take the Bear Creek Road exit, opposite Lexington Reservoir. (From southbound Hwy. 17, exit the highway and go under an overpass; road will curve right to a stop sign at Bear Creek Rd., turn left. From northbound Hwy. 17 exit highway and cross the highway via the overpass on to Bear Creek Rd.) Travel 1.0 mile from Hwy. 17 on Bear Creek Rd., as road curves left there will be a pedestrian crosswalk, turn left into the parking lot immediately after the crosswalk.