When we learned that the Riverside County Parks were opened, we knew right where to go- the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve.
This was our first foray into this part of the Plateau. With nearly 1,000 acres, and 10 miles of trails, nature was in abundance in the Sylvan Meadows Multi-Use Area.
The guidelines were clearly defined for all of us to hike healthily though I was disappointed at times. There's no excuse for rule breakers. Enough said.
Hikers, bikers and equestrians can experience trails of easy to moderate difficulty through a diverse array of habitats. From an historic dirt road from the Plateau’s ranching past, to single-track trails, Sylvan Meadows can be enjoyed by beginning and experienced hikers and bikers alike.
Trails travel through shady oak woodland, open bunchgrass prairie, and the state’s most common habitat of chaparral. Occasional bridges span riparian wetlands that often flow with streams during winter and spring months.
I think this was my first tarantula in-the-wild sighting ever. How cool.
The native bunchgrass prairie is considered the finest example of native grasslands remaining in California. The prairie reveals a host of native wildflowers — among them chocolate lilies, mariposa lilies, lupines, checkerblooms, shooting stars, and Johnny jump-ups. The grasslands are used by badger, mule deer, and many burrowing rodents.
The diversity in equine was impressive.
This is where we had lunch. What an idyllic location to be carefree in nature.
“In every walk with Nature
one receives far more than he seeks.”
-John Muir
The Plateau is home to two varieties of oak trees. Oaks are truly spectacular, but here the grandest is the rare Engelmann Oak (quercus engelmannii) which only exists in a narrow band that stretches along the foothills of Southern California.
Engelmann Oaks are probably the most imperiled of all oaks and are one of the most endangered natural plant communities in California. According to oak lovers, "They steal the show on the Santa Rosa Plateau".
We traversed various landscapes, delighting in all we discovered. It is always euphoric to be in Nature and today couldn't have been a more perfect day for just that.
“Everybody needs beauty...
places to play in and pray in where nature may heal
and cheer and give strength to the body and soul alike.”
― John Muir
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2 comments:
Wow! Beautiful area, and you saw a Tarantula!!!! How cool. Looks like a great place to roam and key into nature.
I want to see a tarantula in the wild--envious!
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