Dirca Walk at Windy Hill Open Space Preserve (Portola Valley)

Join Rare Plants Chair Don Thomas for a four mile walk to see the one of the more accessible populations of the endemic western leatherwood (Dirca occidentalis). We may also see some early emerging woodland plants in flower.

There will be some moderate but slow-paced hill climbing, with a stop for lunch. We will take the Hamm’s Gulch trail to see the Dirca near a trailside bench, which will also be our turnaround point. Along the way, we will walk through a variety of plant communities, including meadows, oak woodland, mixed evergreen forest, redwood forest and riparian woodland.

Please bring lunch, snacks and liquid. Heavy rain cancels.

RSVP is required to join the hike. No drop-ins please and space is limited.

We will meet at the Portola Valley Town Center, 765 Portola Road. Portola Valley rather than the Windy Hill parking lot because the parking lot is usually full on weekends.

For questions or more information, please contact Don Thomas at donethomasd@gmail.com