Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
{{short description|State park in California, United States}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Infobox park
| name = Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
| photo = Sonoma_Creek_waterfall_in_Sugarloaf_Ridge_State_Park.jpg
| photo_width =
| photo_caption = Waterfall in the park
| map = California
| relief = yes
| map_width = 200
| type =
| location = Sonoma and Napa counties, California, U.S.
| nearest_city = Santa Rosa, California
| coords = {{coord|38.4449105|N|122.5022032|W|region:US-CA_source:GNIS|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| coords_ref = {{cite gnis |id=235678 |name=Sugarloaf Ridge State Park |access-date=7 December 2014}}
| area = {{convert|4020|acre}}{{cite web |url=http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/481/files/SugarloafRidgeFinalWebPDF072809.pdf |title=Park Brochure |publisher=California Department of Parks and Recreation |access-date=7 December 2014}}
| created =
| operator = Team Sugarloaf{{cite web |url=http://www.sugarloafpark.org/about/reopening/ |title=Reopening of Sugarloaf |publisher=Team Sugarloaf |access-date=7 December 2014}}
| visitation_num =
| status =
| designation =
| open =
}}
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park is a state park in Northern California, United States. Located in the Mayacamas Mountains northeast of Kenwood, the park straddles the boundary between Sonoma and Napa counties. The park contains the {{convert|2729|ft|m|0|adj=on}} Bald Mountain and the headwaters of Sonoma Creek including a {{convert|25|ft|0|adj=on}} tall seasonal waterfall. The park is also home to the volunteer-run Robert Ferguson Observatory. Camping, picnicking, horseback riding, mountain biking, stargazing, fishing and hiking are common attractions of Sugarloaf. The park boasts 25 miles of trails{{cite book|last3=Lovett|first3=Richard A.|first1=Walter|last1=Houk|first2=Sue|last2=Irwin|title=A visitor's guide to California state parks|date=1990|publisher=State of California, Dept. of Parks & Recreation|location=Sacramento, Calif.|isbn=9780941925051|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/visitorsguidetoc00houk}} with trails ranging from less than a mile to 8.8 miles, and elevation gains reaching 2,500 feet.{{cite web|title=Hiking|url=http://www.sugarloafpark.org/activities/hiking/|website=Sugarloaf Ridge State Park|publisher=Team Sugarloaf|access-date=9 December 2014}}
The ridge has two main peaks, the southern one being {{convert|1939|ft|0}} above sea level and northern one being {{convert|2265|ft|0}}.{{cite web|url=http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=38.43372,-122.52048&z=15&t=T|title=ACME Mapper 2.0|access-date=16 April 2010}} The southern peak contains an extensive microwave antenna. {{Citation needed|date=April 2010}} The higher northern peak has two panels identifying geographic features in view. There is also a bench.
Sugarloaf Ridge was one of the first parks to close under the California State Parks plan to close up to 70 of its 278 parks due to budget cuts. The closures were deemed necessary to achieve an $11 million reduction in the next fiscal year 2011/12, that amount increasing to $22 million in the following fiscal year 2012/13.{{cite web |url=http://parks.ca.gov/?page_id=26685 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111217053348/http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=26685 |archive-date=17 December 2011 |title=Park Closure List |publisher=California Department of Parks and Recreation}} The park was reopened by Team Sugarloaf in June 2012 to restore access to camping and hiking trails. Team Sugarloaf continues to operate the park.
The park's official address is 2605 Adobe Canyon Road, Kenwood, CA 95452.{{cite web |url=http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=481 |title=Sugarloaf Ridge SP |access-date=31 December 2007}}
History
The Onasáti (Wappo) were the first known inhabitants of the region, settling on along the Sonoma Creek 1500 years ago.{{cite web|title=Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Brochure|url=http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/481/files/SugarloafRidgeFinalWebPDF072809.pdf|website=Sugarloaf Ridge State Park|publisher=Team Sugarloaf|access-date=15 December 2014}} They relied on various resources of the region especially acorns and berries, and are known for their farming and basketry abilities. Spaniards attempted to takeover the area in 1823, failing. Later, the cholera epidemic dwindled the numbers of the Wappos, who were ultimately relocated to Indian reservations by the American government.{{cite web|title=History|url=http://www.sugarloafpark.org/about/history/|website=Sugarloaf Ridge State Park|publisher=Team Sugarloaf|access-date=15 December 2014}}
In the 1870s farming increased in the Sugarloaf region. Business owners in town began hiring "gentlemen farmers" to manage their ranches along the Sugarloaf Ridge while the business owners remained in the town. Some even made livings off burning trees of the Sugarloaf region to make and sell charcoal.
In 1920 the California government purchased the property to dam Sonoma Creek for use by the nearby (Eldridge, south of Glen Ellen) Sonoma State Hospital. In 1932 The Sonoma State Home (now called the Sonoma Developmental Center) established a Boy Scout camp on the property named "Camp Butler" in 1932 after the name of the State Hospital Director. The camp was used until the United States joined World War II. Land owners began leasing land for animal grazing in 1942. Finally in 1964, the state of California admitted Sugarloaf as a California State Park.
Vegetation
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park's forests consist of Umbellularia (California Bay Laurel), Douglas firs, big-leaf maple, madrone, coastal redwoods, California buckeye and alder trees as well as an abundance of oaks including live, valley, and mixed oaks. Poison oak and stinging nettles are found along the Sonoma Creek and can be a threat to hikers. Shrubs of the chaparral include manzanita, chamise, California lilac, coyote bush, toyon, and winebush.{{cite web|title=Sugarloaf Ridge State Park in Sonoma County, California.|url=http://www.parks.sonoma.net/sugarlf.html|access-date=10 December 2014}} Sugarloaf experiences a colorful spring with a wide array of wildflowers: California poppies, cream cups, lupines, penstemons, buttercups, peas, shooting stars, trilliums, Indian warriors and mariposa lily. Golden fairy lantern, zigadene, and fritillarias are in certain regions of the enclosure as well. Summer boasts the blossoming of even more flowers including clarkias, scarlet larkspurs, farewell-to-springs, Mariposa lilies, monkey flowers, Indian pinks and tarweeds. Invasive species include yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis) and Italian thistle (Carduus pycnocephalus). At least 400 plants species are found in Sugarloaf Ridge State Park.{{cite web|last=Bowcutt|first=Frederica S. |title=A Floristic Study of Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, Sonoma County, California|url=http://herbarium.ucdavis.edu/pdfs/plantlists/SugarloafFlora.pdf|publisher=Aliso |volume=18 |issue=1 |year=1999|pages= 19–34}}
Wildlife
Deer, along with gray foxes, bobcats, coyotes, black bears, and mountain lions inhabit the park,{{cite book|last1=Ostertag|first1=Rhonda|last2=Ostertag|first2=George|title=California State Parks: A Complete Recreation Guide|date=2001|publisher=Mountaineers Books|location=Seattle, WA}} as well as numerous racoons and an occasional badger. Turkey vultures can be seen swarming regions of the park as well.{{cite book|last1=McKinney|first1=John|title=California's State Parks: A Day Hiker's Guide|date=2005|publisher=Wilderness Press|location=Berkeley, CA}} Trout are present in the streams and are a common attraction for visitors, especially beginning in late spring to early summer. Chinook salmon and Steelhead have also been recently sighted in Sonoma Creek in the park.{{Cite web |last=Minkler |first=Alana |date=November 15, 2021 |title=As California drought clouds future, Chinook salmon return to Sonoma Creek to spawn |url=https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/news/as-california-drought-clouds-future-chinook-salmon-return-to-sonoma-creek/ |access-date=September 23, 2024 |website=Santa Rosa Press Democrat}}
Bald Mountain
As the main attraction for hikers, this peak can be reached by hiking the park's trails. Upon reaching the summit, Mount Saint Helena, Napa Valley, and a distant view of the Sierra Nevada Mountains can be seen. The San Francisco Bay Area, Mt. Diablo, and the Sugarloaf Ridge can be seen when facing the south. Mount Tamalpais lies southwest while the Coastal Range and a view of the distant Pacific Ocean lie to the west.
Sonoma Creek Falls
Sonoma Creek falls down a 25-foot descent, landing on boulders and jagged rocks of the creek below with maple trees and ferns shading the area.{{cite book|last1=Brown|first1=Ann Marie|title=California Waterfalls|date=2000|publisher=Avalon Travel Pub|location=Emeryville, CA}} It is best to visit during the rainy winter season.
Weather
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
{{wikivoyage}}
- [http://sugarloafpark.org Official park website]
- [http://www.rfo.org/ Robert Ferguson Observatory], located in the park
- [http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=481 Sugarloaf Ridge State Park], California Department of Parks and Recreation
- [http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/481/files/SugarloafRidgeFinalWebPDF072809.pdf Park Brochure], California Department of Parks and Recreation
{{Protected areas of California|SP}}
{{authority control}}
Category:State parks of California
Category:Parks in Napa County, California
Category:Parks in Sonoma County, California
Category:Landforms of Napa County, California