Rock Creek Nature Trail

When: May 27, 2023 at 9 a.m. to approximately 11 a.m.

Description: Rock Creek Nature Trail is a nice meander,3/4 mile, through the shade of a riparian corridor surrounded by ponderosa, douglas and white fir forest that has been actively managed with tree thinning and some prescribed fire. Some favorite plants are the dogwoods (Cornus spp.), twinflower (Linnaea borealis), western bleeding heart (Dicentra formosa) and wild ginger (Asarum lemmonii), which grows farther up the road as you drive away. Some interesting monocots can sometimes be seen in flower. The site has restrooms and a picnic area.

Definitely a family-friendly field trip!

Difficulty: easy and level

Location: 7 ½ miles from Nevada City on Highway 20. Complete directions will be sent once you register.

What to bring: Water, snacks, and comfortable shoes for a leisurely stroll on easy terrain. It is shady, but use sunscreen if you are sensitive.

Hike Leaders: Theo Fitanides is an avid look-loo and quite skilled at slowly walking trails for short distances, driving under the influence of botany, interrupting a conversation when a bird calls, and talking about things for longer than is strictly necessary. He has been variously inactive and active as a CNPS member since 2008, involved in restoration, propagation, horticulture, and field trips. He is the father to a 1¾-year-old who may or may not make an appearance to help find the oft overlooked “belly” plants. Theo’s current hobby is fire, talking about fire, and losing sleep thinking about fire politics and best practices.

Ron Gartland is a retired restoration ecologist who worked for federal and local agencies. His career spanned arid lands restoration in desert tortoise habitat, California grassland management, riparian restoration and healthy forest management. Ron is an active volunteer with the CNPS Redbud Chapter.

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