Enjoy learning some lichen basics on this moderately-paced hike with Docent Naturalists Kate Bauer, Mary Brunkhorst, Dennis Smith, and Nick Yatsko. You'll gain about 500 feet of elevation as you hike a loop on the Peters Creek and Long Ridge trails while you look for and learn to identify several of the most common lichens.
Meet at Peters Creek Roadside Parking, on the west side of Skyline Boulevard, 3.6 miles north of Highway 9 or 3.3 miles south of Page Mill Road. If you are coming from the north on Skyline Blvd., the pullout is just past Portola Heights Road on the right. From the south, the pullout is near the Palo Alto city limits sign on the right. There is additional parking across Skyline Blvd. at the Grizzly Flat trailhead (Santa Clara County Park).