The Trail Companion

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The grassland flowers are often very nice along the Page Mill Trail in the northern end of this small preserve, but few people may know about the unusual stand of Pacific bleeding hearts (Dicentra formosa) that bloom along the Franciscan Trail. From the parking lot, go right on the Franciscan Trail and look for the small purple, heart-shaped flowers near the culvert at the bottom of the first hill. Look for an even nicer stand just after you leave the bay laurel woods and descend toward the Page Mill Trail connector. These unusual members of the poppy family bloom late April-May. If you hike the entire Franciscan and Lost Creek Loop Trails, also look for giant trillium (Trillium chloropetalum) and striped coral root orchids (Corallorrhiza striata) near the three-way Franciscan/Lost Creek junction. Try smelling on of the deep red trillium blooms -- the scent may remind you of cinnamon or perhaps of candy.

Getting there: Take Page Mill Rd. west from I-280 approximately seven miles. Look for the parking lot on the right, opposite the Montebello OSP parking.

Distance/Elevation change: 2.5 miles; 400 ft. descent (for entire Franciscan/Lost Creek loop).

Best time for flowers: April-May.

On the Web: Los Trancos OSP on the MROSD site

Six Sure-Fire Wildflower Hikes

A Few More Wildflower Tips

Butano State Park

Stevens Creek County Park

Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve

Identifying the Mystery Plant

Wildflower and Plant Guides - Web and Electronic Resources

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