Buckeye Canyon Field Trip

Spring is a perfect time to poke around Buckeye Canyon. Two years removed from a devastating landslide that scoured the stream beds down to the bedrock, Buckeye continues to rise like the Phoenix thanks to volunteer weeding parties dedicated to giving our native plant species room to roam. We’ll visit an ancient Ohlone shellmound then immerse ourselves in a riparian forest of buckeye, bay and oak trees as well as toyon, holly-leafed cherry, chaparral currant, blue elderberry, ferns and maybe a horsetail or two. This canyon is home to the rare and somewhat misplaced brittleleaf manzanita (Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. crustacea), that was once thought to be Eastwood manzanita (Arctostaphylos glandulosa). We will also have an opportunity to walk in, around, and across the dry creeks and study the various forms of greywacke sand stones that were uncovered and deposited by the landslide on the last day of 2022. Bring a lunch or snacks. This walk is limited to 15 people. Contact Doug at dougsr228@comcast.net to register and get directions to the meeting place. Bring layers for possible foggy weather although the canyon is generally sheltered. Heavy rain postpones to May 3.