Bear Valley Field Trip

Bear Valley in Colusa County on Tuesday 4/15/25

Join Steve Woodward and Ginna Meyer to Bear Valley in the Coast Range, with a side trip to 1 or 2 sites on Walker Ridge. Bear Valley is a secluded corner of the north state, about 20 miles west of Williams, and in the spring it has a wide variety of wildflowers. The trip will be driving, with stops along the way to get out, examine and identify the flowers. Because of the limited parking, this trip is limited to 12 people, and we will need to join into as few cars as possible, hopefully no more than 4.
This is a joint Sacramento Valley and El Dorado Chapter CNPS field trip. We will meet at 7:30 near Starbucks and Walmart in the Natomas Market shopping center off of Truxel Road. From Sacramento take I-80 west to Truxel Road, exit 88, go north on Truxel, then left at the Gateway Oaks intersection into the shopping center. See the dropped pin on the map below.
From Natomas Market we will return to I-80, go west, then North onto I-5 for approximately 55 miles to Williams. We will take exit 577 in Williams, turn left on to E Street, then .4 mile and right onto 6th Street. We will park in the lot on the left/west side of 6th Street, and if you need a restroom or provisions, the store and deli in Granzellas will have it. If you choose, you can drive independently to Williams and meet us there at about 8:45. Note that we will leave from there to Bear Valley no later than 9 a.m.
There are no restrooms or other facilities once we leave Williams, so be prepared. We will probably return to Williams between 2 and 3 p.m.
The trip will be canceled or postponed to 4/18 if rain is predicted. Bring layered clothing and comfortable shoes, water, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, snacks, lunch, etc.
To sign up, please e-mail Steve at woodzos@comcast.net, with the heading Bear Valley. Please provide your phone # for texting in the e-mail.