Behind the Flames: Regeneration on Sky Trail

Point Reyes National Seashore Association

Explore the interplay of fire and forests on a moderate hike through the Woodward Fire Zone .

Sky Trailhead

Difficulty level: DifficultDistance: 4.5 milesIn August of 2020, a series of lightning storms ignited 650 wildfires on the parched landscapes throughout California. One of these fires, the Woodward Fire, sparked just along the coastline of Point Reyes National Seashore on August 17, 2020. Over the next five months, the fire went on to burn almost 5,000 acres of the Seashore between the Bear Valley Visitor’s Center and Sculptured beach. Thanks to the teamwork and dedication of park and fire departments, county officials, and local community members, no buildings within our park or the surrounding communities were burned, and we now have a glimpse of the overall ecological benefits of the Woodward Fire.On this 4.5 mile Picnic on the Pacific Plate hike, naturalist Lisa Krieger and NPS Fire Management Officer Greg Jones, will take you on a journey through a section of the park that was moderately impacted by the fire. As you hike, Lisa and Greg will take time to point out residual burn areas in certain habitats and on the surrounding vegetation, explain the importance of fire regrowth on the delicate ecosystems of the Seashore, describe Fire Management efforts within the park, and so much more!The Sky Trail hike is ideal for hikers who are looking for a short, heart-pumping hike, and who want to be immersed in the Woodward Fire burn area. The Sky Trail walk is expected to take 2.5 hours, cover 4.5 miles, and gain 683 feet of elevation. Although this hike’s terrain is primarily only slightly uphill and downhill, a steep 334 feet of elevation gain in the first 0.8 miles makes this a more challenging hike. We will begin at the Sky Trailhead Parking Lot. From here, we will travel along the north-western fire boundary and into the fire zone, all the while stopping the way to notice, observe, and learn all about the Woodward Fire and its impacts to wildlife in this corridor.In the wake of the Woodward Fire, we have seen new life—both in vegetation and animal species—and the continued commitment of our broader Point Reyes community. Join this hike if you’d like to learn more about regeneration and regrowth at Point Reyes National Seashore!

Details:<ul><li>We will be meeting at the Sky Trailhead parking lot off of Limantour Road (detailed directions provided with registration)</li><li>The hike will begin at 1:30pm, but please arrive 15 minutes early (1:15pm) to check in and to allow time for COVID safety protocols (see below)</li><li>Please give at least 48 hours of notice if you decide to no longer attend the hike</li><li>Please provide an email you check regularly for updates and reminders about your class </li><li>Registration is required online prior to the event in order to maintain class sizes</li><li>Sales end 48 hours before the start date</li><li>Waitlists are available when the class sells out</li></ul>

What to Bring:<ul><li>Hiking Shoes </li><li>Water Bottle + Water </li><li>Binoculars (Optional) </li><li>Camera (Optional)</li><li>Vaccination Proof (If not provided before the event - see below)</li></ul>

Picnic on the Pacific Plate COVID-19 GuidelinesIn accordance with Marin County and CDC guidelines for public health, we will require all participants to respect the following COVID-19 procedures:<ul><li>Perform a health self-check before coming to class using the<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"> CDC Symptoms of Coronavirus </a>as a guide</li><li>Do not attend class if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, suspect you have been exposed to the virus, or are suffering from any other flu-like or respiratory illness</li><li>Participants exhibiting signs of respiratory illness may be asked to leave class</li></ul>During class all participants will be required to do the following<ul><li>Fully vaccinated individuals may remove masks for outdoor classes </li><li>All participants may be required to wear masks for indoor classes per current CDC and county recommendations at the time of class</li></ul>Please refer to the <a href="https://ptreyes.org/popp-covid-safety/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Covid Safety Policy</a> page on our website to learn more. Thank you for your continuing cooperation in following these guidelines to help keep everyone safe.

Behind the Flames: Regeneration on Sky Trail

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Behind the Flames: Regeneration on Sky Trail

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