Nature Walks & Hikes
Come explore Ridgewood Ranch!
Ridgewood Ranch has worked with Mendocino Land Trust to help conserve ecologically significant parts of our 5,000 acre ranch such as old growth redwood forest, oak woodlands, and vernal pools. Guided hikes make these special parts of the land accessible to the public, and they will be conserved in perpetuity from development.
We offer both naturalist-guided nature walks and active hikes that cover more mileage.
If you would like to schedule a hike for a day of your choosing, please contact our hiking docent and head of the Trails & Land Curation Club at Ridgewood Ranch, Serena Jones at (510) 387-6646.
A Walk Among the Oaks
On this nature interpretation walk, Kate Marianchild, author of Secrets of the Oak Woodlands: Plants and Animals among California’s Oaks, will point out five oak species and explain why and how the oak has become the “Tree of Life” – the iconic tree that supports more life forms than any other plant in the northern hemisphere. She’ll give tips for identifying oaks by their acorns, leaves, and galls and she'll share fascinating lore about some of the plants, animals, fungi, and lichens that we’ll encounter living under, on, and around oaks.
This walk will take place on the day of the Ridgewood Ranch Harvest Festival. Meet in the parking lot near the Registration Table at 11:30 a.m. If you have mobility challenges, please email Kate at katem@mcn.org and include your phone number.
Guided Hike with Serena
This rigorous hike will take place during the Ridgewood Ranch Harvest Festival on Saturday, October 10th. Join Serena Jones, hiking enthusiast and head of the Trail and Land Curation Club (TLC), for a rigorousnguided hike exploring Ridgewood Ranch’s beautiful Conservation Easement.
Meet in the parking lot near the Registration Table at 11:30 a.m.
Secrets of Soaproot Nature Watch
With Kate Marianchild, author of Secrets of the Oak Woodlands.
We’ll sit near a patch of wavy-leafed soap plants and watch the blossoms of this night-blooming plant burst open. As we watch native bees of all shapes and sizes try to wrestle the petals open, we’ll bet on what blossom will burst open next. We’ll learn about the amazing talents of this plant and its uses for both humans and wildlife. We will see birds' nests and brushes made from soaproot fibers, and we might even wash our hands with soap made from a soap plant bulb. As evening falls we’ll also listen to and learn about crickets, cicadas, birds and any other animals or plants that catch our attention.
Email Kate at katem@mcn.org with “June Soaproot” in the subject line to reserve your spot. Limit 15 people.
Secrets of Soaproot Nature Watch
With Kate Marianchild, author of Secrets of the Oak Woodlands.
On the evening before Memorial Day, we’ll sit near a patch of wavy-leafed soap plants and watch the lovely blossoms of this night-blooming plant burst open. As we watch native bees of all shapes and sizes try to wrestle the petals open, we’ll bet on what blossom will burst open next. We’ll learn about the amazing talents of this plant and its uses for both humans and wildlife. We will see birds' nests and brushes made from soaproot fibers, and we might even wash our hands with soap made from a soaproot bulb. As evening falls we’ll also listen to and learn about crickets, cicadas, birds and any other animals or plants that catch our attention.
Email Kate at katem@mcn.org with “May Soaproot” in the subject line to reserve your spot. Limit 15 people.
Guided Hike with Serena
A rigorous public guided spring hike with Serena Jones, hiking enthusiast and head of the Trail and Land Curation Club (TLC) at Ridgewood Ranch.
Call/text Serena for more information and to reserve your space at (510) 387-6646.
Flock Together Festival Hike
Join Serena Jones, hiking enthusiast and head of the Trail and Land Curation Club (TLC), to explore Ridgewood Ranch after the fun of the Flock Together Festival winds down.
Hike will begin around 3:00 PM, leaving from the central Festival area at the Dairy Barn.
Call/text Serena for more information and to reserve your space at (510) 387-6646.
Guided Hike with Serena
A rigorous public guided spring hike with Serena Jones, hiking enthusiast and head of the Trail and Land Curation Club (TLC) at Ridgewood Ranch.
Call/text Serena for more information and to reserve your space at (510) 387-6646.
Guided Hike with Serena
A rigorous public guided spring hike with Serena Jones, hiking enthusiast and head of the Trail and Land Curation Club (TLC) at Ridgewood Ranch.
Call/text Serena for more information and to reserve your space at (510) 387-6646.
Wonders of Spring Nature Hike
With Kate Marianchild, author of Secrets of the Oak Woodlands.
Come learn about insects, birds, wildflowers, lizards, squirrels, trees, shrubs and whatever else reveals itself.
Email Kate at katem@mcn.org with “Wonders of Spring” in the subject line to reserve your spot.
Spring Equinox Nature Hike
With Kate Marianchild, author of Secrets of the Oak Woodlands.
This walk will be geared to families with children. Limit: 12 people.
Email Kate at katem@mcn.org with Spring Equinox in the subject line to reserve your spot.
Guided Hike with Serena
A rigorous public guided spring hike with Serena Jones, hiking enthusiast and head of the Trail and Land Curation Club (TLC) at Ridgewood Ranch.
Call/text Serena for more information and to reserve your space at (510) 387-6646.