Pacific Pea Trail

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Cell reception is spotty and unreliable in the park. Poison oak lines much of the trail - stay on the trail!

This is a lovely trail that traverses the valley slope above the Eastport section of Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve and terminates in Huckleberry Botanical Preserve. The Eastport area is seldom visited relative to the main area of Sibley, so solitude is likely on this trail.

To reach the trailhead, park at the Eastport Staging Area for Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve off of Pinehurst road. Travel 0.1 miles up the Gudde Ridge Trail, a wide fire road and the main trail that departs the parking area. After passing the toilet on the left hand side, reach a signed junction. This is the start of the Pacific Pea Trail.

The trail begins by gaining about 100 feet of elevation over the first 0.2 miles. After passing the switchback, the grade flattens, and the trail traverses the valley wall. Breaks in the trees lead to nice views over the Eastport region of Sibley.

The trail mostly stays in shade as it traverses the valley slope. At 0.25 miles, the trails rounds the hillside and continues generally west for another 0.25 miles. At 0.5 miles, the trail descends down a gradual switchback and terminates in a clearing at a junction with the Lower Pinehurst Trail in Huckleberry Botanical Preserve. In this clearing there is a bench which makes a great spot to have a snack break before returning to the parking lot or continuing hiking on other trails.

Flora include the typical mixed forest of the region (oak, madrone, bay laurel, and the occasional redwood). Watch for Arroyo Willows and White Alders on the hillside. Coyote brush is abundant. In the summer time there are lots of blooming orange Sticky Monkey Flowers. Watch out for poison oak and thorny blackberry brambles.

Fauna include a variety of birds, including jays, chickadees, acorn woodpeckers, and more. Deer can be spotted, as well as other mammals. Look for western fence lizards on the rocks that are exposed along the trail.