Stile Ranch Trail (South San Jose)

Meetup RSVPs will open up one week before the event.

Join Dee and Ken Himes for a 3 to 4-mile early spring wildflower hike to Stile Ranch, on the south side of Santa Teresa County Park, through serpentine grasslands and chaparral. This will be a great trip for those who are interested in plants and flowers that are endemic to the serpentine soil profile and seeps and also for those who are new to field trips and native plants.

On this hike we expect to see in bloom California plantain, California gilia, woodland shooting star, California buttercups, a variety of lomatiums and sanicles and maybe more, given the additional precipitation we had in February. We will also see leather oak and black salvias.

The hike will be moderate in intensity. We are starting earlier in the day to beat the heat as it gets pretty HOT, and there's no overhead shade until we get to the Fortini Trail. Bring extra water, snacks and a bag lunch; we also recommend wearing a wide brim hat and bringing walking stick(s).

For Plant list, please print your own copy: Stile Ranch Plant List 2022

RSVP Required. This trip is limited to 20 people, due to narrow trails. No drop-ins please.

Directions
Note that this is at the southern end of Santa Teresa Park, not the main entrance.

From CA-85 in San Jose, exit Almaden Expy south. Continue south for about 5 miles to the end of the road then turn right onto Harry Rd. Take the next left onto McKean Rd and go 1.3 miles. Turn left onto Fortini Rd and continue 0.6 miles. Turn left onto San Vicente Ave, the parking lot is on the right in less than 0.25 miles.
Latitude/Longitude: 37.203355, -121.806013

Parking: Parking in a small gravel lot. No toilet facilities or water. No designated handicapped parking, the trail is not suitable for wheelchairs.