Come enjoy some shade from the trees with Docent Naturalists Anouchka Gaillard, Peter Maxwell, and Nick Yatsko. You’ll hike a loop from the North Ridge Trail down to Purisima Creek via the Harkins Ridge and Craig Britton trails, then climb back up along Whittemore Gulch Trail. This moderately-paced route has an 1,800-foot elevation gain and traverses multiple habitats. You'll observe how water availability is impacting the flora, fauna, and the relationships between them. Bring a lunch for a longer stop to enjoy the shade beneath the canopy. (Note: If there is a heat wave, we will opt for a shorter eight-mile loop.)
Meet at the North Ridge Parking Area on Skyline Boulevard. This entrance is next to the now closed Kings Mountain Country Store. The parking lot is 4.5 miles south of Highway 92, and 8.1 miles north of Highway 84.