Name: Taylor Mountain New Trails Hike 2.0
Start: 2024-11-16T09:30:00-08:00
End: 2024-11-16T12:30:00-08:00

If you missed last week's Taylor Mountain hike here's your second chance, if you went on last week's hike this one will be different enough to be worth your while, especially if you want to expand your knowledge of new trails and alternative entrances. We'll start at the same place and go through the site of the Kawana Springs Resort that dates back to the late 1800's. From there we'll cross the new bridge over Colgan Creek to the trail that heads north, we'll pass close by the Sonoma Academy and follow the lower trail all the way to the north end of the park where you will see two other entrances that are currently only being used by the neighborhood residents.

By then we'll be warmed up and ready for the climb to the secondary summit where you will have the best views in the park, the primary summit has a lot of trees blocking views in some directions. There will be a snack break at a magnificent ancient oak tree, there's plenty of seating on the limbs which spread in all directions along the ground. The final part of the hike will be a winding descent down a north facing slope back to the Kawana springs site. By the end of this hike you will have a decent understanding of the new trails in one of Sonoma County's best and most accessible parks.

**DISTANCE** will be **5.1-5.5 mi** with an elevation gain of **\~1000 ft.** This hike is rated **moderate**. We hike at a pace of \~**3 mi/ hr** and it should take between 2 and 3 hours.

We will start at the water towers and take the trail down to Kawana Terrace, where it follows the private road. There'll you'll see remains of John Shackleford Taylor's Kawana Springs Resort (the bath house and a gazebo remain). We'll follow the trail along Colgan Creek, then take the Barn Fork Trail, climbing the hillside above Sonoma Academy. The trail winds in and out of woodlands - shown in the above picture. We'll check out the East Knoll at 1140' and return via the Upper Colgan Creek Trail. We'll finish the hike through a eucalyptus grove back up to the Eastern Route.

Link to new trail map:
[20241025_194324549_iOS.heic](https://1drv.ms/i/s!Aj6Ioaq-Fg7Dg-lDFTzUbJd3YNGK4g?e=AD4mgM)

**BRING** water & snacks if you get hungry. **WEAR** hiking shoes or trail runners with a good tread.

**DOG POLICY** \- this is a dog friendly hike \- leashes are required\.

**MEET** at the Kawana Terrace Entrance (see map pin here) - *\*DO NOT\** go to the Petaluma Hill Entrance! Meeting spot is at the trail sign in the parking lot. The address is **2080 Kawana Terrace · Santa Rosa, CA**

**PARKING -** you can park inside the gate with your Regional Parks pass, and there is a pay station if you need a day use pass. Cost is **$7**.

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Taylor Mountain New Trails Hike 2.0

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Taylor Mountain New Trails Hike 2.0

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