Lichen Hike, Stile Ranch-Mine-Fortini Trails, 2/16/13
Santa Teresa County Park



This is the Stile Ranch trailhead, where Cait has a table set up.


Cait has books, pictures, and samples of lichens on display.


Here Cait is showing different types of lichen.


These tree branches have different types of lichen on them.


Cait is showing pictures of lichen.


At the start of the Stile Ranch Trail, Cait points out a seep on the hillside. Some rare Mt. Hamilton thistle are growing in the seep. Later in the season, columbines and sunflowers will be blooming here.


There are several different kinds of lichen growing on this boulder.


As we climb up the switchbacked trail, Cait points out a hummingbird.


We reach the top of the switchbacks, where the trail widens out.


We pass by this ancient rock wall, which has many lichen-covered rocks. In the distance is Rancho San Vicente, a new addition to Calero County Park. It is open to the public only through guided tours. Cait will be leading tours there later in the year.


These rocks here not only have lichen, but they have rare and endangered Santa Clara Valley dudleya growing on them. These succulents, a member of the stonecrop family, grow in cracks on serpentine rocks and are only found in the southern Santa Clara Valley. They are found all over Santa Teresa Park and in neighboring parks.


As we climb up the hill, we get nice views of the southern part of the Almaden Valley. In the background are the hills of Almaden Quicksilver County Park, with the Sierra Azul mountain range behind them.


This rocks is covered with a furry coating of moss.


The group pauses near the ancient rock wall.


The group pauses on the trail, overlooking the South Almaden Valley. In the background on the right is Calero County Park.


As we crest the hill, Cait spots some early season wildflowers.


These are shooting stars.


There are several patches of shooting stars along trail.


Cait stands by a lichen-covered rocks. In the background are trail switchbacks on the other side of the valley.


Cait points out a leather oak, a common chaparral plant.


We head down into the valley. This part of the trail has clay soil and can get muddy after a rain. It was dry today.


We reach the bottom of the valley and approach a bridge that crosses over a small creekbed.


We climb up the hill on the other side of the valley and can look back at the switchbacked trail we just came down on.


This part of the trail is dry and rocky.


There are more lichen-covered boulders near the top of the hill.


As we crest this hill, we pass by a large lichen-covered boulder. In the background is the Bernal Road, which becomes a private road leading to IBM.


As we come down the trail, we see the green buildings of IBM's Almaden Research Center. Most of the Stile Ranch Trail actually runs through an easement on IBM's property.


We reach the bottom of the valley and cross over a small creek.


The trail runs next to the creek.


Ahead, the Stile Ranch Trail ends as it reaches the junction with the Mine Trail. We will take the Mine Trail to the right.


Here we come down the steep section of the Mine Trail just before it reaches the Fortini Trail, which is on the right. In the distance is Big Oak Valley and the Rocky Ridge Trail.


Below is the Fortini Trail.


Cait points out an elderberry tree and describes its many uses.


On the Fortini Trail, the rocky outcroppings on the right are covered with the endangered Santa Clara Valley dudleya.


There are lots of Santa Clara Valley dudleya growing on these rocks.


The trail runs through this shady area next to Santa Teresa Creek.


We cross over this small creek.


This huge manzanita tree shades the Fortini Trail near the Fortini Road entrance to the park, which is a service entrance only.


We begin to pass by some ranches on a private part of Fortini Road on the left. Ahead is an old barn.


We make it back to the Stile Ranch-Fortini Trail junction.


We meet back at the trailhead near noon. Time for lunch

Maps

Page created by Ron Horii, 2/17/13