After over two months of nothing but botanical surveying at Paynes Creek Wetlands, we were in dire need to take a real hike, and Thomes Gorge Trail was just the ticket.
Last time we hiked this trail was on Mother’s Day 2021. We noted then that early May was already getting to be pretty hot and dry, so why Don chose this trail for his mid-June Father’s Day hike is anyone’s guess. Luckily, there was a nice breeze all day, which made hiking this very exposed trail tolerable.
The number of flowering plants was quite reduced compared with our May hike, but we did get to see some later-blooming species that we’d missed last hike. Now that it’s been two growing seasons since the August Complex Fire came through, it was very interesting to see how much and what vegetation had grown back. Relatively close to the trailhead, there is a section that is now thick with very healthy young California bay and bee plants. The prickly poppy that seemed restricted to one hillside last year has at least doubled its coverage, and western spicebush was going gangbusters, blooming in every available drainage.
Having gotten a late start, we had intended to begin this hike in the middle of the trail, where it crosses Mud Flat Road, so we could make it all the way down to Thomes Creek. But somehow we missed our turnoff and ended up at the main trailhead, 5.4 miles away from the creek—too far for a half-day hike. Better luck next time.
Directions to Thomes Gorge Trail can be found in our article, Thomes Gorge Trail, May 9, 2021, but if you do go now, be sure to bring plenty of water and protection against the sun. There is very little shade and it can get very hot. A better idea would be to make do with the following slideshow, and wait until next spring to tackle this trail. All photos by Don Burk. Enjoy! ~Laurie & Don Burk
