Woodpecker Trail
Trail length: 0.7 mile loop
Terrain: oak, fir, bay forests, meadow
Restroom? Yes, at Bear Valley Visitor Center and parking lot
Parking: large parking lot at Bear Valley Visitor Center
Kid friendly? Yes
Dates visited: 5/21/16, 1/21/18, 5/5/18, 1/13/19, 1/26/19, 12/23/19, 1/12/20, 3/27/20
Favorite plants on this trail: mushrooms
The Woodpecker Trail begins near the Bear Valley parking lot. It’s a short loop trail through lush mixed California live oak, California bay laurel, and Douglas fir forest. The beginning of the trail is an incline to a lovely meadow area. Along the way, you’ll have panoramic views across the meadows of Bear Valley. Right before you enter the forest is a meadow perfect for a picnic and a good spot to watch birds.
The trail has numbered markers along the way. Stop at the Bear Valley Visitor Center for a guide or use your imagination and powers of observation to decide what the markers are highlighting.
Mushrooms
The Woodpecker trail is shaded and moist with plenty of fallen decomposing trees — a perfect environment for mushrooms. During the rainy winter months, mushrooms and funghi of all colors and shapes abound.
Volunteer Opportunity for Families: Native Plant Seed Collection
Help park staff in collecting native grass seed for use in park restoration and conservation projects. Open to kids age 7 and older accompanied by an adult. You’ll learn to identify native plants and learn when it’s time to collect the seeds.