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Sonoma Valley, part 1, September 2019
Regional Park: A Photographic Log
9 September, 9 miles

Sonoma Valley Regional Park, about fifteen minutes away by car, is a pleasant, compact chunk of the county that's not nearly as flat as the name might indicate. Because it's overshadowed by some of its closer, bigger, and more interesting neighbors, it's a park I don't visit much. I think I've hiked it two or three times, but I've never tried to pedal there.

Today I hauled the Ogre down Highway 12 to give it a try, and came away pleased and surprised. By sheer luck, I discovered I could ride through SVRP to the adjacent lake, which has its own network of trails. That expanded the territory and provided a good variety of pedaling on some flat terrain and some hilly terrain. Despite the hills and some narrow, rocky singletrack, only a couple of short sections of trail forced me to dismount briefly.

In addition to the tall blond grass and impressive oaks, around every bend the park offers scenic views of the shimmering lake, sunny hillsides, nearby mountains, and distant San Francisco Bay.

Maybe I should go there more often.


One of our many regional parks. This one about twelve miles from home.


Not very big, but a variety of trails.

One paved path, a few unpaved hiker/biker/equestrian trails, and several for hiking only.


At the top of the first ridge, looking northeast toward Sugarloaf State Park.


On the trail toward Suttonfield Lake.


Up another low ridge.


The park website refers to its "oak woodlands."


Here's Suttonfield Lake.

This is actually outside the park boundary, but the trails around the lake connect with the park trails.


Heading around the lake.

Lots of folks walking dogs, including one big "water buffalo" according to the woman trying to get it back onto dry land.


This way to the beach.


Maybe the Ogre is really a water buffalo.


A nice trail around the lake.


Sometimes the trail goes a little higher, sometimes a little lower.


The Ogre hides in the weeds.


This is just about as far as the Ogre can go. No bikes allowed on the last section of the trail around the lake.


I retraced my route, then followed the trail around the other side of the lake.


Over the ridge above the lake.

This might have been for hiking only.


Riding down the ridge brought me to another arm of the lake, although at first I thought it was a separate pond.


Along the northern arm of the lake.


This trail also reached a dead end, and the park map was no help, so I had to work my way back from the lake.


I ended up on a bench back within the boundaries of the park. This was my view while I ate my sandwich.


Lunchtime for Old Grumble-Face.

But still more of the park to explore.






Continue to Part 2


Comments? Questions? Suggestions? I'd like to hear from you.


Tags: Sonoma Valley Regional Park

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