Cultural Winter Walk

Join Desi Harp, Mishewal-Wappo tribal member and Sugarloaf staffer, on a hike down to Sonoma Creek Falls interwoven with stories of the Wappo on the cultural significance of redwood habitat, water, and salmon.

Tickets are $15-$20 sliding scale for general audiences; $7.50 for students, youth (12-17 year olds), Sugarloaf members, and Sugarloaf volunteers; and free for children under 12. Meet at the main lot. Wear appropriate clothing and footwear for approximately two and a half miles of slippery and/or muddy terrain. Wear layers, bring a quarter of water, sun protection, and a snack and/or lunch a post-hike gathering in the upper picnic area. We also invite you to bring a reusable drink container for your little ones to enjoy hot cocoa after the walk. Heavy rains cancel; parking fees apply.

Ease of access: The main parking lot has one van-designated parking spot and an accessible vault toilet. Pony Gate Trail is a narrow foot trail, steep in sections with a descent of 450 ft. A seasonal creek crossing without a bridge is unsafe for crossing immediately after storms. Pony Gate exits on the lower part of Adobe Canyon Rd. A few yards down, across the road, the Canyon Trail is a narrow foot trail with a few steps down into a fairly flat, narrow trail adjacent to Sonoma Creek. There are two very narrow wooden bridges until the detour to Sonoma Creek Falls. There are about 120 steps built into the steep trail between the waterfall detour and upper Canyon trailhead. The upper Canyon trailhead exits on the upper part of Adobe Canyon Rd, about ½-mile away from the main parking lot.