Jepson Prairie Preserve

We drove out to the Jepson Prairie Preserve on a Monday morning. It was easy to find. The last bit of the roadway is gravel. There are two pit toilets and a couple of picnic tables by the parking area. We wandered around the paths on the other side of the parking area. There were numbered posts but we didn't see any explanation of what the posts marked. The wildflowers were in proficient bloom and the vernal pools had many ducks and geese. It was worth the drive out from Davis. We took county roads the entire way, avoiding freeways.

California's got it all--even a little slice of Texas. Pretty neat to think that only an hour's drive will get you somewhere that looks like this.Jepson Prairie Preserve is just that--a 1500-acre pocket of virgin bunchgrass prairie, which apparently used to cover the entire Central Valley. The untrained eye (ie, mine) may not notice much of a difference from any other random piece of flat land, so if you want to check it out, I'd definitely recommend coming on one of the guided tours in the spring. That's also when the wildflowers are in season. If, like me, you just happen to be passing through in the off-season, there is a short nature trail you can walk on, but the pamphlets were all missing, so be sure to print one out from the website. Note that you are not allowed to just start hiking out into the preserve.

We didn't get to go on the guided Jepson Prairie hike because it's only available Sat & Sun --Mid March-until May (Mother's Day) at 10AM. Forget going this yr (2008) because the vernal pools are DRY.No flowers!!If you miss the guided hike you can still do you own Self Guided Nature Trail. It's only 1/2 mi long and they have brochures by the Sign In.I'll have to go another yr when the vernal pools have water & more flowers.Friend said the guided hike is worth going if you hit it at the right time.One pit toilet available. No water, so bring your own.website:http://nrs.ucdavis.edu/jepson.html

It is a bit of meditation time coming here on a lightly breezy day. I prefer it when people don't have their children running around the trails screaming, but I cant remember having that happen at this spot. It is just so removed in so many ways but just as close to get to.

A trip to Jepson yesterday found the wildflower season is getting into full swing. Lots of winter and spring rain has filled the vernal pools and provided great moisture. You will kick yourself if visiting without a camera.

Lovely and fun. During the spring (March to May) there are guided tours during the spring but there are also self guided tours. We went in May 2010 and there was still a lot of water left - but it obviously depends on the year.