Redbud Trail, Lake County, California
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What to find: Travertine and druzy calcite crystals. Some of the travertine is a very attractive red-orange color.
Ease of access: Easy, level path from parking area, about 1/4 mile walk.
Best time to visit: Summer, or whenever the creekbed is dry.
From Clearlake Oaks, travel east on State Highway 20 for 8 miles. You'll see the sign for Redbud Trailhead, which is a BLM-managed hiking area (a lovely hike as well, if you feel like enjoying some scenery. The wildflowers are amazing in late spring). Turn off there, drive down a short gravel track to the parking area. From there, follow the trail that goes past the bathrooms. In about a quarter of a mile, you'll cross a dry creek bed -- this is the spot. I recommend hiking upstream in the creek into the canyon a short ways. You'll find the material scattered throughout the rocks in the creek bed.
Cautions: While this is not an issue if you're only going to the collecting spot, the area recently burned in a wildfire. If you plan to venture further into the park, watch for the warning signs for burned-out culverts that could be unstable, and for dead snags and such.
Ease of access: Easy, level path from parking area, about 1/4 mile walk.
Best time to visit: Summer, or whenever the creekbed is dry.
From Clearlake Oaks, travel east on State Highway 20 for 8 miles. You'll see the sign for Redbud Trailhead, which is a BLM-managed hiking area (a lovely hike as well, if you feel like enjoying some scenery. The wildflowers are amazing in late spring). Turn off there, drive down a short gravel track to the parking area. From there, follow the trail that goes past the bathrooms. In about a quarter of a mile, you'll cross a dry creek bed -- this is the spot. I recommend hiking upstream in the creek into the canyon a short ways. You'll find the material scattered throughout the rocks in the creek bed.
Cautions: While this is not an issue if you're only going to the collecting spot, the area recently burned in a wildfire. If you plan to venture further into the park, watch for the warning signs for burned-out culverts that could be unstable, and for dead snags and such.