Re: [SBB] Smith Creek Access, was: From YBMA to YHBL

[Les Chibana <[[email protected]]>]

My Palo Alto Baylands class birded Smith Creek this morning. As Bill 
Bousman noted earlier, the gate seems too well-secured to be intended 
to allow public access. The top wire securing the unhinged side of the 
gate is tacked to the gate so that it can't be slipped off, and the 
bottom loop, though not apparently attached, is so tight that it's not 
possible to slipped off, either. And barbed wire seems to exclude the 
possibility of going around the gate. Instead, we walked the meadow 
above the creek trail but the fencing continues from the gate across 
the meadow. So, there seems to be no access to the further reaches of 
the creek. Is the land beyond the fence privately-owned?

Because we saw a group of feral pigs beyond the fence and gate, it was 
surmised that the fence was to keep the pigs out. But anti-pig fencing 
is a lot more substantial than what's there. It's possible that this is 
the intention, but it's not working. Also, at least three cars were 
able to fit into the area across the road from the fire station.

Birds: As Al reported, there was a dearth of warblers between the fire 
station and Grant County Park. We saw one(!), a YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER 
at the Twin Gates area. (It sounds like I should have taken the group 
to the Santa Cruz Mtns. instead!) We did have very close, great views 
of several expected species, singing. AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES were quite 
abundant near the ranch house. A rather nonchalant bobcat provided the 
thrill of the day as it strolled along the paved path on the north side 
of the creek near a picnic area by the Grant CP ranch house.

Les
---
Les Chibana
BirdNUTZ(tm) - Ornigasmic Birding
Palo Alto Baylands Birding Classes
em <[[email protected]]>
web <http://www.birdnutz.com>
ph 650-949-4335
fx 650-949-4137
snailmail: SR2 Box 335, La Honda CA 94020

On Apr 24, 2005, at 7:18 PM, Matthew Dodder wrote:

> What is the best way of accessing the Smith Creek area? There seems to 
> be no parking near the fire station and only a small turn out across 
> the bridge for two cars. The trail leading beside the creek is now 
> blocked with a barbed wire fence. I remember being able to walk quite 
> a distance into the creek side woods along the trail with no barriers, 
> but no more... Does any one know what has happened with the access? I 
> imagine there is a trail from Twin Gates, but is there a shorter route 
> to this riparian area?
>
> Please feel free to respond privately if this is deemed off topic. 
> Thanks.
> Matthew Dodder
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