Date: May 6, 2013
Contact: Leah Duran, 925-228-8860
Enjoy the late spring sunshine by walking in the footsteps of John Muir on a free, ranger-led saunter up Mt. Wanda, part of the John Muir National Historic Site (NHS) in Martinez, CA. Join us on Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 9 AMfor a two-hour nature walk to discover the many plants and animals living in this diverse landscape. The park has identified more than 82 species of native plants on Mt. Wanda, and hikers may see California buttercups, purple Chinese houses and mule’s ears.
On May 19th, visitors should meet at the CalTrans Park and Ride lot at the corner of Alhambra Avenue and Franklin Canyon Road, Martinez (at the Alhambra Ave. exit off Highway 4). Bring water and wear comfortable walking shoes, as the trail is steep. If it rains heavily, the walk will be canceled.
Reservations for the walk are suggested. Please call the John Muir NHS visitor center at (925) 228-8860 to make a reservation. Discovery walks continue through October. For more information, please visit the park website at www.nps.gov/jomu or call the visitor center.
Created in 1964, John Muir NHS preserves the home, landscapes, and gravesite of conservationist and national park advocate John Muir. Mt. Wanda preserves 326 acres of grasslands and oak woods that Muir set aside more than a century ago. Muir named Mt. Wanda after his eldest daughter, Annie Wanda Muir, and he often strolled among these hills with his two daughters. Visitors can enjoy Mt. Wanda seven days a week from sunrise to sunset.
John Muir NHS, located at 4202 Alhambra Avenue, Martinez, CA 94553, is open five days a week, Wednesday through Sunday, from 10 AM to 5 PM. As always, admission to the site is free of charge.
