Take a Hike … with Mike Monroe: View redwoods and plenty of wildflowers hiking Mt. Madonna park
Published in the May 17 – May 30, 2017 issue of Gilroy Life
By Mike Monroe
Mike Monroe
My annual migration to the redwoods kicked off May 1 as the thermostat in the valley approached 90 degrees. I never tire of visiting the crown jewel of the Santa Clara County Park system at Mt. Madonna. When we first moved to Gilroy in 1986, the park was one our first destinations and its attraction has never waned. Looking up at those magnificent trees and relishing in the cool breezes sailing through their branches on a hot day — it does a body (and mind) good.
In 1927, the first portion of what was to become Mt. Madonna County Park was purchased, according to David Weintraub’s “Parks History,” with the vigorous support of County Supervisor Henry Hecker, for $60,000 from the heirs of Henry Miller. The Miller story has been retold often, but after his death in 1916 the family lost interest in the property and the mountain top bungalows were abandoned. One Gilroy newspaper clipping in the 1920s lamented the run down condition of the retreat as bootleggers during Prohibition broke into the cabins and one was destroyed by fire. The article recalled the parties organized by Mrs. Miller and Henry Miller’s weekend barbecues. We will visit the ruins of the mountain getaway and talk some history, but our intent will be to soak in the scenery and relax among the redwoods.
Hiking Mt. Madonna this winter was difficult with trails and roads closed because of the heavy rainfall. During one outing we encountered some hail and another time, a friend and I were well drenched. At least no trees fell on us but there were certainly numerous trees down and some trails are still closed because of mud slides. Yet the rain was magical. The redwoods had been coated with dust from years of drought and now they were so fresh with young green tips of new growth. Small tributary creeks were rushing full blast into Bodfish Creek. I even overheard that some steelhead trout had made their way up the Pajaro River into Uvas Creek and then into various watersheds of this southern terminus of the Santa Cruz Mountains.
One warm afternoon in early May, my wife and I choose a walk and picnic on the Bayview Trail. We parked on Poleline Road near its intersection with Hecker Pass, and within just a few steps we were rewarded with redwoods and wildflowers. Blankets of Redwood Sorrel covered the slopes with their small solitary white flowers that will turn pinkish in the next couple of months, the Pacific Starflower, Red Clintonia and Stickey Monkey Flower were all on display. We spotted patches of small blue Forget-Me-Not’s (non-native) which closely resemble the Western Houndstongue (native).
Just as in many California landscapes, there are introduced species throughout the forest. Mt. Madonna has Eucalyptus trees from Australia, Foxglove which is from western Europe and does very well at Mt. Madonna with its bell shaped pinkish flowers. One of most invasive and dangerous organisms is one that you would have an extremely difficult time identifying early on. It is a fungus known as Phytophthora ramorum which causes Sudden Oak Death and is responsible for the deaths of millions of trees in California. This pathogen was imported from Europe in nursery plants infesting numerous commercial nurseries before it was discovered. Typically, SOD spreads after warm, wet springs when its spores are blown from the host plant (California bay laurel) infecting coast live oaks, black oaks and, particularly, tanoaks. The spores are also transmitted when soil is moved, especially when conditions are muddy. Perhaps my winter hikes were not such a good idea after all.
Hopefully, we will have pleasant weather and welcoming wildflowers for us to admire. Maybe we will have a chance to welcome Julie Cooper who takes over as the senior ranger at Mt. Madonna, too. We can talk flowers, forest health, climate change, white deer, Henry Miller, or anything that strikes our fancy at Mt. Madonna. Join me Saturday May 20 and keep on sauntering!
Gilroy resident Mike Monroe is a Morgan Hill business owner and naturalist. He is a docent for Santa Clara County Parks.
DETAILS
What: Spring in the redwoods
When: 10 a.m. May 20
Where: Mt. Madonna County Park, Visitor Center
Description: Casual 90-minute walk. Bring snacks and water. Rain Cancels.
Contact: (408) 234-6377
