Past Field Trip – May 17, 2026 Mount Madonna County Park
Sunday, May 17, 2026, 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Mount Madonna County Park: Sunday, May 17, 2026 – 9 a.m. to ~2:30 p.m.
Field trip leader extraordinaire Andy Werner (CNPS member and botanist) led this foray through the southeastern Santa Cruz Mountains (just over the county line) to view the very diverse flora of Mt. Madonna County Park, including four species of Calochortus: pussy ears (C. tolmiei), fairy lantern (C. albus), yellow mariposa lily (C. luteus), and clay mariposa lily (C. argillosus). If the weather holds, we may also see the rare most beautiful jewel flower (Streptanthus albidus ssp. peramoenus, CNPS List 1B.2). Pussy ears and the jewel flower do not occur in Santa Cruz County and are well worth the drive and the shady but challenging hike (taken at a botanizing pace).
The hike was fairly long and moderate/challenging with about 7.5 miles distance and 1500 feet of elevation gain..
Practice clean trail etiquette. Pocket Guide – Every Step Counts and Cleanliness Tips for Hikers