From the Wild Plum Trailhead to the Milton Creek footbridges

Majestic Sierra Buttes, seen from the Wild Plum PCT Connector Trail. The Sierra Buttes fire lookout on top of the rugged mountain is accessible via the Sierra Buttes Lookout Trail.

Trails, trails, trails

The Wild Plum Trailhead east of Sierra City in California is your gateway to the Wild Plum Loop, the Haypress Creek Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) [1-4]. I recently hiked from this trailhead to the three Milton Creek footbridges. This makes for a seven-mile-long hike (out-and-back)—all the way to the southern most of the three footbridges plus return. The trail sections include [1]:

1. Wild Plum PCT Acess Trail: 0.9 miles
2. Access Trail/PCT junction to first footbridge: 0.4 miles
3. PCT between first and second footbridge: 1.4 miles
4. PCT between second and third footbridge: 0.8 miles

Keep your hands off!

You will mainly hike through a mixed forest of pines, firs, cedars, and oak trees. The first two sections (1.3 miles) are part of the Wild Plum Loop trail. The 2.2-mile-long trail from the first to the third footbridge leads you along the west side and east side of  Milton Creek—occasionally close to the cold stream, but mostly above and away from the steep banks: this PCT section is not a crest, but a canyon trail. 

In certain years you can come here for hiking even in December—no snow shoes required. For example, Charlie Pankey describes his December 2023 experience around the Wild Plum Loop in an informative and inspiring post [3]. For a seasonl change, here I am sharing some impression and snapshots of my summer hike on a hot day at the end of July 2026. 

Starting out from the Wild Plum Trailhead along Haypress Creek, the trail passes the historic Wild Plum Guard Station, which dates back to 1908 [5]. This was an administrative site of the Tahoe National Forest's Ranger District. It was abandoned in the early 1980s. A sign posted at the door of one structure tells you to keep your hands off and stay out: “Property of  THE UNITED STATES. All persons are prohibited under penalty of the Law from committing trespass.” 

Access Trail/PCT junction

Continuing on, you will ascend—switchback by switchback—to the PCT. Here, you will pass a few narrow forest openings that provide excellent views of the south-facing slopes and cliff faces of the Sierra Buttes. At the PCT junction, turn right . The Wild Plum Loop - PCT sign has seen better times and may easily be overlooked.  But you know you have to go south to to get to the first footbridge over Milton Creek, which is not far away.

First footbridge: PCT is switching sides along Milton Creek

Milton Creek is a woodland mountain stream. It is a tributary of Haypress Creek. Both streams sit within the Yuba River watershed. 

During summer, wherever you can get a glimpse of the stream, the chances are high that you will spot umbrella plants, also known as Indian Rhubarb (Darmera peltata).  The leaves (umbrellas) are typically 20 to 24 in (50 to 60 cm) long and wide.

Milton Creek with streamside Indian Rhubarb

The flowers emerge in spring before the leaves take over in summer [6]:

With its luxuriant foliage, this plant, usually anchored firmly among water-washed rocks, can give a verdant, almost tropical aspect to mountain streams. The peltate leafstalk (attaching near the middle of the blade) is an important identification feature and gave the genus it former name, Peltiphyllum.

The dark-green eaves are peltate, rounded, deeply lobed, coarsely-toothed, conspicuously veined and They turn orange or red in autumn.

Peltate Indian Rhubarb (Darmera peltata) leaves

I definitely have to come here in spring to see the white-pink flowers, and also in autumn when the leaves are turning red [7-9].  

The areas around the second footbridge is a perfect place to have a rest and to explore umbrella plants close-up.

Second footbridge: a peaceful place to rest

Moss-covered rock wall near second footbridge

On my way to the third footbridge I came across Sierra gooseberry plants (Ribes roezlii). This North American species is native to mountain ranges of California, western Nevada and Oregon. There are many varieties [10].  The Sierra gooseberry is a spiny shrub. Its ripe, purple-red fruits have stiff, long spines.   

Sierra gooseberries (almost ripe at the End of July 2026)

The ripe, juicy berries look delicious and are edible. However, harvesting the berries and removing its prickles needs some experience [10,11].

The next section of the PCT from the third footbridge south to the Bear Valley and Jackson Meadows Reservoir area has a distance of over five miles. I continued on for about another mile before I turned around to hike back to Wild Plum.

PCT south of third footbridge

Getting to the Wild Plum Trailhead

Get to Sierra City, a small, historic Gold Rush mountain town in —what a surprise—Sierra County in the Sierra Nevada, California. On State Route 49, at the east end of town, turn east onto Wild Plum Road. Follow this road, take the one lane bridge over the North Yuba River, and continue for about one mile to the Wild Plum Trailhead next to Haypress Creek. The trailhead has running water and a few picnic tables between trees.

References and further reading

[1] Pacific Crest Trail - Sierra Nevada North - Sierra Buttes to Devils Postpile. Trails-illustrated topographic map guide. National Geographic Partners, LLC, 2019.

[2] Wild Plum Trailhead. Pacific Crest Trail Association. URL: https://explore.pcta.org/trailheads/wild-plum-trailhead.

[3] Charlie Pankey: A day trip to Sierra City and the Wild Plum Loop trail experience. Sierra Rec, December 22, 2023. URL: https://sierrarecmagazine.com/still-hiking-in-sierra-city/.

[4] Trip 20 “Wild Plum Loop” on pages 50 and 51 in Mike White's hiking guide “Afoot & Afield” (Wilderness Press, Berkeley, California, 2nd printing November 2008). 

[5] Volunteers to restore historic Wild Plum Guard Station, Tahoe National Forest. Sierra Booster, 4/24/2017 . URL: https://www.sierrabooster.com/latest-news/volunteers-to-restore-historic-wild-plum-guard-station-tahoe-national-forest.

[6] Richard Spellenberg: North American Wildflowers - Western Region. Alfred A. Knopf, New York,  Chanticleer Press Edition 2001; Umbrella Plant: page 740.

[7] Michael Beatley: Waking Up in Plumas County. California Fall Color. September 2023. URL: https://californiafallcolor.com/2023/09/23/waking-up-in-plumas-county/. 

[8] Michael Beatley: Indian Rhubarb - Darmera. California Fall Color. October 2018. URL: https://californiafallcolor.com/2018/10/20/indian-rhubarb-darmera/.

[9] Sharon Roberts: Indian Rhubarb Begins Its Firey-Orange Show. California Fall Color. September 2016. URL: https://californiafallcolor.com/2016/09/25/indian-rhubarb-begins-its-firey-orange-show/

[10]  Hank Shaw: Foraging for gooseberries. Hunter - Angler - Gardener - Cook website, November 2020. URL: https://honest-food.net/wild-gooseberries-edible/.

[11] Sierra gooseberry (Ribes roezlii). Clean Mountain Kitchen, April 11, 2020. URL: https://www.cleanmountainkitchen.com/post/sierra-gooseberry-ribes-roezlii.

The California Coastal Trail at Carmel-By-The-Sea

Carmel Beach

The California Coastal Trail (CCT) is a network of public trails along the 1200-mile coastline of Alta California—border-to-border between Oregon and Baha California [1]. The interconnected trail system has not yet been fully completed. Presently, it offers recreational access to sandy beaches, hidden coves and rugged bluffs at many coastal hot spots as well as peaceful retreats.  

Carmel-By-The-Sea in Central California definitely is a coastal hot spot; attracting both, human recreationists and marine life offshore. Here, you can walk along the iconic white-sand beach, wade the surfline, or stroll on bluff and dune walkways. The bluff-top pathway follows the coastline. Stairways connect the bluffs to the beach [2-4].

At the beach overlook platform (located above Carmel Sunset Beach at the end of Ocean Ave) you can watch scenic Carmel Bay—sweeping your view from the northside Pebble Beach Hole 7 (bring a spyglass) to the Point Lobos peninsula in the south. 

Beach & bay overlook platform 

The dunes north of the platform are classified as an environmentally sensitive habitat, home to endangered species. Dune restoration began in 2009 “to correct a century of human disturbance which has greatly altered the state natural state of the dunes” (see the “Carmel North Dunes” panel). The panel further says that under supervision of a dunes restoration biologist a self-sustaining natural dunes ecosystem with thriving populations of native species was recreated. Invasive non-native plant were eliminated.

The original dune scrub included low plant and shrubs adapted to fog, shifting sands, wind and salt. A larger forest once edged the area with trees such as Monterey cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) and Monterey pine (Pinus radiata) —“Carmel North Dunes” panel.

Now it's up to you to find out what is left of the botanical heritage and how shifting times and shifting sands reshape our surroundings. 

North dunes area with old trees and young ball players

Map

California Coastal Trail @ Carmel Beach. MapQuest: https://www.mapquest.com/us/california/california-coastal-trail--carmel-beach-651299659.

Continue exploring

[1] Welcome to the California Coastal Trail. URL: https://californiacoastaltrail.org/.

[2] Carmel Beach, Carmel (must see). GPSmyCity. URL: https://www.gpsmycity.com/attractions/carmel-beach-40440.html.

[3] North Dunes. City of Carmel-By-The-Sea. URL: https://ci.carmel.ca.us/post/north-dunes.

[4] Exploring California's Marine Protected Areas: Carmel Bay State Marine Conservation Area. Marine Management News. URL: https://cdfwmarine.wordpress.com/2021/04/02/exploring-californias-marine-protected-areas-carmel-bay-state-marine-conservation-area/.

Exploring a sandy beach at Garrapata State Park

Rocks, waves and white foam at Garrapata Beach

Garrapata State Park in California has a four-mile-long waterfront. This coastal stretch along the northern Big Sur coastline has exciting locations for beach walking, bluff hiking, tide-pool adventuring and cove-secluded, clothing-optional sunbathing—as wave and tide conditions allow. At the south end of the park you find the park's only sandy beach, called Garrapata Beach [1].

The Doud Creek mouth at Garrapata Beach—where Calla Lily Valley begins 

Various hiking trails connect beaches, coves, amazing viewpoints along the bluffs, and inland areas. During late winter and early spring, nearby Calla Lily Valley is worth the short hike if you are interested to see how a non-native flowering plant (botanically not a lily) is doing amidst natives. You may be surprised to see how beach-goers and tourists, during peak hours, invade the space of an invasive plant.  

The sandy beach features tide-zone rocks, breaking waves, rough and exposed naked rocks as well as lower algae- and mussel-covered outcrops. The sand of the intertidal zone is continually shifting with storms and currents. Come back some years later and you will discover a changed pattern of differently exposed or now sand-buried rocks.

Often, impressive breaking waves can be seen from the bluffs—and, with due respect, from near the surf. The drama of high-energy shorebreak gets topped by the surrounding coastal geology which includes granitic rock outcrops of the Salinian Block and, according to geology teacher Garry Hayes, “displaced terrane of Sierra Nevada rocks that now forms a mountain range sloping directly into the sea.” [2].    

Garrapata Beach seen from the edge of the coastal terrace

Getting to Garrapata Beach and Calla Lily Valley

Garrapata Beach Trailhead

Garrapata Beach is located about ten miles south of Carmel-by-the-Sea. At the Garrapata Beach trailhead just south of Doud Creek, look out for available, free-parking roadside space. This trailhead is also the nearest access point for Calla Lily Valley.        

On the way to the beach, you will see multiple warning sign before taking the final steps down the stairs to the sand beach. The signs are telling you to expect life-threatening waves and strong currents as well as dangerous shorebreaks. These dangers depend on weather conditions, whether you experience flood or ebb current, and also on phenomena you can't directly see because they results from events hidden under water out at sea.

Garrapata sand beach with standing water and Pacific Ocean

References and more to explore

[1] Garrapata Beach at Garrapata Beach at Garrapata State Park. CaliforniaBeaches. URL: https://www.californiabeaches.com/beach/garrapata-state-park-garrapata-beach/.

[2] Garry Hayes: Where the Sierra Nevada Rises From the Sea: The Granitic Rocks of Garrapata State Park. Geotripper - News and views from the geologic realm. URL: https://geotripper.blogspot.com/2013/11/where-sierra-nevada-rises-from-sea_19.html.

Calla Lily Valley off Highway 1 next to Garrapata Beach

Calla Lily Valley with calla lilies on both sides of Doud Creek (April 3, 2026)

Calla lilies are native to southern Africa. They were introduced to North America in the 19th century. Calla lilies do well along the California Coast—for example, in a valley in the Garrapata State Park north of Point Sur. 

A short hike from Highway 1 along a trail through bluff scrub gets you into Doud Creek. Not far from where the creek flows into the Pacific Ocean at Garrapata Beach, you will find dense pockets of calla lilies. If you step out of the canyon onto the north-side bluffs, you will leave the calla lilies behind, finding coastal natives of California.  

Calla lily flower: pure white spathe and yellow spadix

Calla lilies (Zantedeschia aethiopica), also known as arum lilies, are not real lilies. They belong to the arum family (Araceae family), while real lilies are grouped into the Liliaceae family. Calla lilies grow from rhizomes rather than bulbs [1,2]. 

Z. aethiopica  is a flowering plant—a popular ornamental plant around the world. It is considered an invasive species—in California, as well as in coastal areas of Australia and between the Iberian Peninsula and Ireland. The flowers often form dense stands and threaten native wetland species [3]. Since Z. aethiopica reproduces through seed dispersal by birds, the species is considered a fast-growing plant in California, invasive to riparian areas. Therefore, some state parks work on their removal.  

Calla lily flowers with arrow-shaped dark-green leaves

The eccentric, sculptural form of calla lilies has long inspired artists, notably Georgia O'Keefe and Diego Rivera. Georgia O'Keefe (1887-1986) is probably the best known artist adopting the calla lily as a subject. 

Garrapata State Park brochure

https://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/579/files/garrapata.pdf

References and further reading

[1] Zantedeschia aethiopica. Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zantedeschia_aethiopica.

[2]  Singh, Y, van Wyk, A.E. and Baijnath, H. Floral biology of Zantedeschia aethiopica (L.) Spreng. (Araceae). South African Journal of Botany 1996, 62 (3), 146-150.  Elsevier: www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0254629915306141.

[3] Allan B. (contributor). Zantedeschia aethiopica Scorecard. Invasive Species List of California, UC Davis (Last Updated on April 02, 2023; accessed on April 12, 2026): calinvasives.ucdavis.edu/scorecard/zantedeschia-aethiopica-scorecard. 

Chaw'se: Indian mortar cups at large grinding rock

Outcropping of marbleized limestone: mortar holes in which Miwok people and their ancestors processed acorns—the mainstay of the Miwok diet   

The Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park—known as CHAW-SE, with respect to the Miwok language—is a California State Park in Amador County. This park in the Sierra Nevada foothills features a reconstructed Miwok village, a large limestone grinding rock, a museum with a variety of exhibits, and hiking trails. Once, the Northern Sierra Miwok settled in this area [1-3].

The park panel that welcomes visitors to Chaw-se  (also written Chaw'se or Chaw sé) tells you that this Miwok word for “mortar cup” is pronounced Cha-sa. The panel continues: 

For thousands of years our people, the Northern Sierra Miwok, have cherished this landscape. It is home to our ancestors, to the thriving native community today, and to our children's future. This is a special place where the spirit of our traditions, dance, and rich culture live on.

The preserved grinding rock is the largest in North America. It has over one thousand mortar holes [1]. The picture above shows four. Also, petroglyphs have been found at the rock. A panel with the unsurprising title “Chaw'se” explains:

Although the meaning of the petroglyphs cannot be fully explained. they do suggest that this was a powerful and important place, a place where many generations worked together on this Chaw'se, pounding acorns and seeds into meal.

The panel continues:

Our Chaw'se is not simply stone. In our culture, we view the rock as living thing. It embodies the seasons that have passed upon it, and it has felt the slow grinding of its surface by women's hands and their stone pestles over hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of years. 

Not very far from the grinding rock, you get the chance to explore a Native American ceremonial roundhouse—a reconstruction and a California Registered Historical Landmark (No. 1001).

Chaw-se Roundhouse

The Chaw sé Roundhouse plaque says:

In a village, the roundhouse served as the center of ceremonial and social life. Constructed in 1974, the Chaw Sé Roundhouse continues this tradition. With its door facing the east, towards the rising sun, four large oaks are the focal point of this sixty foot in diameter structure. Today, ceremonial roundhouses are the most significant architectural manifestations of the continuing Miwok Spiritual Heritage. 

While exploring Miwok culture, don't miss the metal statue of a Miwok dancer near the Chaw'se Regional Indian Museum.

Sculpture dedicated to the First People of California by J. L. Plamondon

Getting there

The Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park is located twelve miles east of Jackson, California. 

Address: 14881 Pine Grove-Volcano Road, Pine Grove, CA.

From Jackson, drive east on State Highway 88 East to the town of Pine Grove. Turn left on Pine Grove-Volcano Road. Find the park to your left after approximately 1.5 miles: the first left-side entrance gets you to the campground. The main entrance is the second left with access of the parking area next to the museum. 

The main hiking trails in the park are the North Trail and the South Nature Trail. The North Trail starts at the Museum parking lot. It runs parallel to the Pine Grove-Volcano Rd in northeast direction and bends west after passing the land of a Historic Farm House. Eventually, North Trail turns southward, crosses Else Creek and meets the South Nature Trail in the reconstructed Miwok village. Both trails traverse forests and remain well shaded in most sections.

South Nature Loop Trail

“Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park” References

[1] Brochure with park map: www.parks.ca.gov/pages/553/files/IndianGrindingRockFinalWebLayout020917.pdf.

[2] Visit Amador - Amador Council of Tourism: www.visitamador.com/business/chawse-indian-grinding-rock-state-historic-park.

[3] Sierra Nevada Geotourism, developed in association with National Geographic: sierranevadageotourism.org/entries/indian-grinding-rock-state-historic-park/bd682892-6b8c-4d00-b860-d6c21e2992fa.

Open meadow in Indian Grinding Rock State Park, nestled in a small valley 2,400 feet (731.5 meter) above sea level

Bald Mountain Trail in the Sierra Azul

Bald Mountain Trail, a short and popular trail in the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve near San Jose, California

The Bald Mountain Trail is a 1.4-mile out-and-back trail in California's Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve offering expansive views of steep chaparall and woodland, the prominent "sugar-cube" mountain peak called Mount Umunhum (Mt. Um), Almaden Valley, and the Diablo Range.

The trail ends into a small loop around the summit of Bald Mountain, which can easily be reached without any climbing challenges. Bald Mountain is a grassy knoll from where you can enjoy panoramic views of the South Bay and Santa Cruz Mountains [1-3].  

Bald Mountain, a grassy knoll and vista point

Open year-round, the Bald Mountain Trail is a walking, hiking and birding trail; exposed to sunshine on a clear day. Sorry—no dogs allowed. In the open sky, you may spot turkey vultures, red-tailed hawks, and Cooper's Hawks [4]. Coming out of the chaparral, you will recognize bird sounds:

The dominant bird voices of the chaparral include the loud squawks of California Scrub-Jay, the complex songs of California Thrashers, the dribble of Wrentits, the buzzing of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, the loud melody of Bewick's Wren and the flute-like warbling song of a Purple Finch. Non-singing Spotted Towhee, California Towhee and California Quail will be rustling about in the leaf litter and branches nearby. Many of these birds are skulkers and hard to spot in the tangle of chaparral, but just stand still and listen. The birds will soon adapt to your presence and expose themselves.  —  Edward Rooks [4]

View of Mt. Um with "sugar cube" 

Hike this trail with patience during the "right time", and you can enjoy solitude embellished by bird songs. 

Getting to the Bald Mountain Trailhead

The trailhead is accessible from the Bald Mountain parking area off Mt. Umunhum Road. Driving uphill to Mt. Um summit, watch out for the PARKING AREAS sign at "18200 Mt Umunhum Rd" (3.5 miles away from the summit parking area). Turn left to BALD MOUNTAIN. This is a popular spot. So, the early bird finds a vacant lot.

References and further reading

[1] Bald Mountain Trail, Sierra Open Space Preserve, Midpeninsula regional Open Space District, Santa Clara County. bahiker. URL: https://bahiker.com/southbayhikes/sierraazul/sierraazul.html.

[2] McCannster. Bald Mountain. Summitpost. URL: https://www.summitpost.org/bald-mountain/154539.

[3] Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve: Bald Mountain and Mt Umunhum Area. Trailhiker, May 6, 2015. URL: https://trailhiker.wordpress.com/2015/05/06/sierra-azul-open-space-preserve-bald-mountain-and-mt-umunhum-area/ .

[4] Edward Rooks. Bald Mountain Trail and Mt. Umunhum Trail in Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve (Spring). Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance, May 1, 2021. URL: https://scvbirdalliance.org/self-guided-birding/bald-mountain-spring#:~:text=As%20you%20leave%20the%20relatively,Turkey%20Vulture%2C%20Red%2Dtailed%20Hawk%20and.

Around the "sugar cube"

The "sugar cube" on Mount Umunhum south of San Jose, California

The historic “sugar cube”, a cold-war radar tower, is located on top of Mount Umunhum (3,486 feet or 1,063 m) in the Santa Cruz Mountains in California. This landmark cube can be seen from all over Silicon Valley and neighboring locations around San Francisco's South Bay. By making it to the top of Mount Um—as the mountain peak is called for short—you will have panoramic views of two bays: San Francisco Bay and Monterey Bay [1,2].

Stairway leading from the summit parking lot to the cube

From the summit parking, you may want to experience the scenery by taking the stairs up to sugar cube structure, where platform. From the cube's south side a downhill trail leads back to the parking area. At various site you will find illustrative information panels to immerse yourself in the local history to get engaged with the areas geography, ecology and recreational opportunities. 

Mount Umunhum Summit Shelter with viewing platform

Inspired by this exceptional place and the rich contextual displays, I have selected some topics I am sharing in the following. 

Once a military community

When I was living on the San Francisco Peninsula in the early 1990s, the sugar cube and its surroundings was still “off limits” —being a fenced-off Air Force Station from 1957 to 1980, which continued to be closed to the public until 2017 while proceeding with clean-up: removal of  3,000 cubic yards of hazardous materials, including lead paint, asbestos, fuel storage containers, polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) transformers and other waste [2]. Finally, in 2025 I made it to the top and visited the site. 

During the time of the operation of an early warning radar station (1957-1980) hundreds of people lived in military housing. A panel describes the live of the military community at the Almaden Air Force Station: 

People recreated and entertained on the summit of Mount Umunhum in in the swimming pool, bowling alley, dining hall, non-commissioned officers' club, and outdoors. Military families who lived here appreciated the remote feeling and the magnificient views. Some people often drove to the valley below while others found all the community and recreation they needed right here at “home.” Children who took the Air Force bus to schools in the vallay often experienced a dramatic change of climate, sometimes leaving a snow covered mountain and arriving at a warm schoolyard below. This rich, thriving community forever shaped people's lives, as heard in the unique stories told by those who lived here.

Almaden Air Force Station swimming pool on the summit of Mt. Umunhum (displayed at kiosk near summit parking lot)  

Remnants of the swimming pool are still visible on Mt. Umunhum. 

Now an open space preserve 

The preserve around Mt. Um is named for the Sierra Azul: Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. Sierra Azul means “Blue Mountains”. This is the name the Spanish-speaking colonist gave to the southern range of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Sierra Azul with Mt. Um and “sugar cube”

The preserve protects more than 19,000 acres of wilderness and features 26 miles of multiuse trails for hikng, dog walking, biking and horseback riding. It is prime mountain lion habitat and also proveds homes for bobcats, coyotes, deer and many other animal species [3].

Mount Umunhum wildlife

The “Welcome to Mount Umunhum” panel summarizes Mt. Um's plant and animal life:

Visitors will discover that a bounty of wildlife lives among the many plant communities and habitat types here. The chaparral zones on the mountain are characterized by dense, impenetrable scrub and dominated by chamise, big berry manzanita, birchleaf mountain mahagony, and poison oak. Chaparral is usually found on dry, southern-facing slopes that endure long periods of daily heat from the sun. Gray pines and knobcone pines offer limited shade beneath their sperse canopies to may plants including golden fleece, venus thistle, and foothill penstemon.

While chaparral occurs mainly on south-facing slopes, cooler and moister north-facing slopes are typically covered by mixed evergreen forest composed of bay laurel, coast and canyon live oaks, madrone, and big leaf maples. Their shade attracts California nutmeg (a coniferous evergreen tree), western heart's ease (a violet), elk clover (not actually a clover, but a herbaceous plant), ground rose (a coastal shrub with prickly stems), and many smaller plants.  

The majority of animals living on Mt. Um belong to invertebrates, birds and small-to mid-sized mammals. The bird life is abundant:

Anna's hummingbird is present year-round, but seasonal hummingbird visitors include Allen's, rufous, calliope, and black-chinned, which can be seen in the spring. California quail, California trasher, spotted towhee, fox sparrow, wrentit, and blue-gray gnatcatcher forage around the chaparall for their meals. California scrub jay, Steller's jay, northern flicker, dark-eyed junco, varied and hermit thrush, band-tailed pigeon, western screech owl, and Cooper's hawk fly through the mixed evergreen forest. Look up to spot golden eagle, hawks, and common raven soaring high above the summit.

A sacred site: reaching out for balance and harmony

Mount Umunhum holds great spiritual value for local tribal bands such as the Amah Mutsun and Muwekma. This mountain is where visions are sought and communion with the spiritual world is made. It is also where relationships with ancestors and future descendants are their strongest, where Hummingbird serves to remind those who see the mountain of the old teaching. It also serves as a place of ceremony and prayer even today. The Amah Mutsun hold ceremonies here because it is close to their Creator, because of its resonance to the spiritual self, and because it is where the children of their ancestors continue to reach out for balance and harmony. 

Getting there

Here is a link to a map showing the Mount Umunhum Area with roads, trails, utilities and sites of interest;

https://www.openspace.org/sites/default/files/Um_Trail_map_0.pdf .

Take Mt. Umunhum Road to drive up to the summit or park you car at the Bold Mountain Parking Area and use Mt. Umunhum Trail to approach the summit. 

The following map puts Mt. Um and the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve into context with other locations in the Santa Cruz Mountains: 

Map with Santa Cruz Mountains including Sierra Azul area and “You are here” pointer locating Mount Umunhum

References and further reading

[1] Mount Umunhum: Exploring San Jose's Historic Cube. California Through My Lense by Josh. URL: https://californiathroughmylens.com/mount-umunhum/ (accessed January 18, 2026).

[2] Opening Mount Umunhum. Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve | Opening 2017. Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. URL: https://www.openspace.org/sites/default/files/OpeningMountUmunhum.pdf (accessed January 19, 2026).

[3] Sierra Azul Preserve. Midpeninsula Regional Open Space. URL: https://www.openspace.org/preserves/sierra-azul (accessed January 19, 2026).

View of the San Jose area

Año Nuevo Point Trail connecting the Marine Education Center with elephant seal viewing decks

Elephant seal colony at Año Nuevo, California (November 2, 2025)

The three-quarter-mile-long Año Nuevo Point Trail connects the Marine Education Center in Año Nuevo State Park with the Staging Area, where, depending on season and permit, you may enter the Año Nuevo Coast Natural Preserve.   

Año Nuevo Point (Punta del Año Nuevo in Spanish) is a rocky headland jutting into the Pacific Ocean. It is at the key location of a coastal area that includes North Point, South Point and Año Nuevo Island. The island and the coves and beaches between South Point and North Point are elephant seal territory.

Año Nuevo Island, home to birds, pinnipeds, and an abandoned lighthouse station

Like most promontories along the California, this is an amazing area for bird and whale watching. But most visitors come here for the single most compelling attraction: the large colony of northern elephant seals or northen sea elephant (Mirounga angustirostris). They are named for the male's signature feature, the elongated, pendulous nose (proboscis).

Along the way

The first half mile of the trail takes you from the education center (visitor center) to coastal freshwater wetland including a pond. Here, a short side trail invites you for a sidetrip to Cove Beach. Brown pelicans can be seen on the beach, flying across Año Nuevo Bay, resting along the cliffs and splashing around in the pond and cleaning their feathers. The pond also attracts egrets, mallards, coots, as well as rare visitors like the Yellow-crowned Night Heron.  

Cove Beach: a sand beach alongside the rugged coastline at Año Nuevo Bay

Continuing uphill on Año Nuevo Point Trail you will get to a point with an interpretive board, featuring the waterbirds mentioned above. Under the title A Symphony of Motion and Song, you will read: 

This pond attracts birds of all kinds with food, water, and shelter. Each bird has its own song. If you linger and watch quietly, the pond will come alive with bird activity and sounds.

Actually, when I walked by in November of this year, I heard the songs as well as the diving and splashing sounds early on, even before reaching the Cove Beach trail junction. 

When arriving at the Staging Area, a displayed blue whale bone caught my interest. A panel provides details:

This is the occipital bone of a blue whale. It forms the back of the skull, protecting the brain and connecting the skull to the spine. All mammals have one.

We—like all mammals—have one at the back of our head protecting our brains. Of course, it does not have the impressive size of a blue-whale occipital bone. But so doesn't our brain!

Occipital bone of a blue whale

Beyond the Staging Area, you are in restricted-access land. Sand dune trails and board walks will guide you around and towards clifftop or dunetop observation decks. Helpful and knowledgeable nature preserve staff is usually not far away to answer questions you come up with. 

Sand dune trail towards Bight Beach, North Point and South Point

From a likely crowded deck of pinniped enthusiasts you may watch a crowded beach of elephant seal—some resting, others moving, playing, or fighting. These are two crowds that want to be respected and are not made for intermingling. Remember that marine mammals are protected by federal law. But you are not (when in seal world): in the case you are coming across an elephant seal at a public beach outside the preserve, you want to keep your distance. Elephant seals have large teeth and can move around faster than you may think. Like with other mammals, males—in particular—can turn aggressive any time, and do so especially during breeding season.  

Young sea elephants seen from a deck near North Point

Map

Map with Año Nuevo Point Trail and Año Nuevo Island

References and suggested reading

[1] Año Nuevo Point Trail. Peninsula Open Space Trust 2025. URL: https://openspacetrust.org/hike/ano-nuevo-point-trail/.

[2] Año Nuevo State Park. California State Parks. URL: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=523.

[3] Año Nuevo State Park. Visit Half Moon Bay. URL: https://www.visithalfmoonbay.org/places/ano-nuevo-state-park/.

Año Nuevo Marine Education Center

The former dairy barn of Cypress Dairy Ranch, now housing the Marine Education Center 

The marine education center in the Año Nuevo State Park is an exhibition barn with focus on the unique elephant seal breeding grounds within the park. The education center is your gateway to nearby beaches, where elephant seals are present pretty much year round.  Access to viewing platforms involves a scenic hike over sand and varied terrain—three to four miles northwest from the education center. Elephant seal viewing is available by guided walks or with a viewing permit. On my last visit I was approached by friendly and knowledgeable park staff offering their binoculars to spot seals and giving updates of elephant seal life: northern elephant seal numbers have rebound from near extinction. Numbers have grown dramatically along the U.S. Pacific Coast thanks to strong conservation efforts. 

The barn with the marine education center also serves as the main visitor center. It includes natural history exhibits, a bookstore and a theater. You can find picnic tables nearby.    

Adult elephant seal skulls: male (left) and female (right)

A male and a female elephant seal skull are displayed in the barn; supplemented by an explaining placard: 

Note the size difference between the adult male and female skulls. Adult males weigh up to 2 ½ tons  and average fifteen feet long. Females weigh half that amount and average eleven feet in length. At birth, pups weigh about 75 pounds and are already more than four feet long. 

In the old days, the exhibition barn was a dairy barn. The historic buildings, including the barn and the creamery, are—according to an interpretive panel—“Echoes of a Dairy Ranch”:

The historic buildings you see today were once part of the Cypress Dairy built by Edwin and Effie Dickerman in 1881 for making butter and cream. Materials for construction were salvaged from a nearby abandoned wharf.

Effie was a member of the prominent Steele family that had settled along the Año Nuevo coast in 1862 from Ohio. During the late 1800's her family helped pioneer the dairy industry in California.

In the 1930s the family switched to crop farming and, like many coastal farms, grew artichokes and Brussel sprouts, crops that are still popular today. The ranch was eventually purchased by the State of California in 1968 and added to Año Nuevo State Park.

The creamery of the historic Dickerman Ranch at the former Cypress Dairy

In addition to the dairy barn and the creamy, Cypress Dairy Ranch features Dickerman's home, a storage barn, a horse barn, a blacksmith shop, a water tower, an orchard and New Years Creek Bridge.

Getting there

The former Cypress Dairy Ranch with the dairy barn—now called Marine Education Center—is located just south of the visitor parking lot in Año Nuevo State Park. The park entrance is located on the west side of Highway 1, approximately 55 miles south of San Francisco and a short drive south from the Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park. 

Further reading

[1]  Marine Education Center. California State Parks. URL: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=27612 .

[2] Año Nuevo State Park. Coastside State Parks Association. URL: https://www.coastsidestateparks.org/ano_nuevo.