Autumn hike at Lafferty Ranch
10/13/2024 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM PT
Description
Join LandPaths docents Bruce Schneider and Joy Robinson for a beautiful Autumn hike at Lafferty Ranch. This is perhaps the best time of year at Lafferty, where the air will be crisp and clear, and the views long.
We’ll enjoy spectacular views of the Petaluma Valley, stretching southwards to Mt. Tamalpais and Mt. Diablo, all the way to San Francisco. The trail passes through groves of venerable oak and bay trees along the Adobe Creek, with a total elevation gain of 500’. We’ll hike above the creek to a vista point beyond the mid-point meadow, where we will pause and take in all that Lafferty Ranch has to offer before returning back down to our cars.
Our hikes along this trail usually run about 2 hours, and we’ll allow ourselves a full 3 hours just to listen to the birds and the babbling Adobe Creek, and do a guided meditation at the top under the Valley Oak. So wear long pants and good hiking boots, bring layers in case it’s cool. You may want to bring a small tarp to sit on for when we get to the Valley Oak, and a snack or a light lunch.
This 270-acre property is the only publicly-owned land on the west side of Sonoma Mountain. Under contract with the City of Petaluma, Landpaths has been leading hikes on the land to introduce groups to its history and natural features since the summer of 2022. The hiking terrain ranges from broad, gentle meadows to steep challenging hillsides with a narrow path.
Details:
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Space is limited so register as soon as you can.
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The hike will be led by Lafferty Docents
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You will be asked to sign a liability waiver upon arrival
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No restrooms available. This is a rustic property. Please plan accordingly.
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You will receive a confirmation email upon registration. If you do not recieve an email then you are not registered for the outing.
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Upon registration you will recieve an email with the exact location, driving directions, and parking information.
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Please note that there are no dogs or smoking/vaping allowed at Lafferty Ranch.
What to bring:
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Your own water bottle, bring enough water for you and your family. Your own food, and bag for waste
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We recommend wearing LONG pants (against ticks) and comfortable sturdy hiking shoes that can get dirty.
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Lots of layers: Sunscreen, a hat, and whatever else you will need to be comfortable being out in the sun.
*Please note that by entering the Lafferty Ranch you are going into tick habiat and there are a lot of them this season. Make sure to do frequent tick checks, shower as soon as possible after the outing, and call a doctor if you develop a rash or fever.*
Additional details:
Accessibility:
If you have accessibility questions, please call or email us with any questions or concerns you may have.
Same-day cancellations:
If we need to cancel the outing, we will let you know immediately through email and phone. If you are unsure and would like to confirm, please call 707-544-7284. When you hear the 'thank you for calling' message, press 1 for the cancelation line.
If we need to cancel the outing, we will let you know immediately through email and phone. If you are unsure and would like to confirm, please call 707-544-7284. When you hear the 'thank you for calling' message, press 1 for the cancelation line.
Do you need help registering?
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call Laura at 707-544-7284 or
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email her at laura@landpaths.org
This event is possible thanks to the City of Petaluma!
