By Tiare Sarraf,
Copy Editor.
In their free time, some students at Santa Rosa High School enjoy exploring the various nature trails that Sonoma County has to offer. A couple of your fellow students have come bearing the gift of their favorite trails—both gatekept and known—and maybe you’ll discover one that you love.
Senior Elliot Macken has gone on many hiking expeditions throughout his life, almost always with his friends. Whether it be to see the views or to just have a nice, quiet space to spend time together, without fail Macken finds himself wishing he could stay awhile longer.
While he loves to hike at Foothill Regional Park in Windsor, Macken highly recommends the Veterans’ Memorial Trail at Spring Lake Regional Park in our very own Santa Rosa as he recalled his past experiences there: “I sat by this little waterfall with [my friend] and we talked and it was wonderful.” The variety in the landscapes of Spring Lake draws Macken back time and time again, as you can go from seeing greenery and trees to rocks and sand by the water.
Although hiking at nighttime may have you jumping at the slightest of sounds, Macken explained that he prefers an evening or even a night hike over a daytime one because it’s more peaceful with less people out. Plus, you can catch the sunset and see the stars.
Junior Jace Sullivan often goes hiking with his family, compounding a few usual spots over the years: Trione-Annadel State Park in Santa Rosa, Taylor Mountain Regional Park in Santa Rosa and Mount Hood on the edge of Sonoma Valley and Santa Rosa. However, Sullivan’s personal favorite is Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, which is between Sonoma and Napa and northeast of Kenwood. “In the summers, if you walk by the creek, they have bullfrogs,” said Sullivan. He explained that Sugarloaf is also home to a beautiful campground with stunning sunsets.
You may find that a hike might be the perfect date for two athletes. Macken thinks that a hike would be a dream third date because hopefully by then it wouldn’t be awkward and you would “get to see beautiful nature [together].”
If you’re a beginner, it may be better to start with a simpler trail at Spring Lake like the Veterans’ Memorial Trail, but if you have experience hiking, give a more daring trail like Sugarloaf a try.
So if you’re looking for a place to dilly dally with your friends or family, check out one of these beautiful and fun nature trails!
