Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail (winter update)

This morning, I went for a sunrise hike the Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail.  I quickly learned that the parking lot on highway 12 is temporarily closed for repairs, so I parked at the Chevron and started off there.   I have written about this park in the Fall, but it is much different after some winter rain, so I'm writing another post about it now.  I love to walk around the Meadowlark field and close to the water.  This is where there is an abundance of life in the water and trees.  The birds, especially at sunrise are prolific here, and it is incredibly pleasurable for me to walk amongst their morning song!  I was excited that there was a beautiful tule fog today, and here was my first glance upon entering the trail:

Good morning Mt. St. Helena:

The initial stretch of this trail is along highway 12, and while beautiful, also has a lot of traffic noise.  It didn't take long to make the turn away from the highway and be fully immersed in bird song.  The water level was high because of a week of rainy days, and the birds were everywhere!

The trails are definitely muddy, so hiking boots or shoes that you don't care about are recommended:

Lone tree in the tule fog and the morning sun:

A pair of white-tailed kites:

white crowned sparrows puffing up to keep warm:

As I was finishing off the loop, which was about 2 1/2 miles, I noticed this sign that shared the timeline of the meadow, and how in 1972 it was so abused by humans that it was declared devoid of life.  Then when the regional parks took possession and restored the natural habitat, it has become full of life!   Thank you Regional Parks!