Sonoma County hikes to take before El Niño arrives

When weather forecasters summon a mythical lizard to invoke “Godzilla El Niño,” chances are the trails will run like rivers at some point this winter.

So before whatever happens happens, now is the time to squeeze in those last days of fall hiking, as the leaves change, the fog recedes along the coast and a bite in the early-morning air reminds us winter is quickly approaching.

Here’s a brisk walk through the Top 5 guided hikes over the next month or so:

Bouverie Preserve - Oct. 24: Sprawling evergreen forests and oak woodlands await as a trained volunteer leads groups through this 535-acre Glen Ellen reserve, home to over 100 species of birds, countless flowering plants and the occasional gray fox, coyote and mountain lion. Ranging from two to five miles, walks start at 9:30 a.m. and end by 1:30 p.m. Hikes are free, but donations are accepted. Make reservations at egret.org/preserves_bouverie or call (415) 868-9244.

Family Hike - Oct. 24: Appealing to the senses and all ages, this Pepperwood Preserve sojourn strives to help hikers “touch, discover and learn about amazing plants and animals.” Located northeast of Santa Rosa, this 3,120-acre sanctuary is a haven for hundreds of species. If you’re lucky, you might even see one of the resident deer, skunks or bobcats often caught on camera in the region. A bilingual guide leads this slow-paced 1- to 3-mile hike from 10 a.m. to noon, with a picnic afterward. Free. Reserve your spot at pepperwoodpreserve.org.

Haunted Hike at Bald Mountain - Oct. 31: Join up with the Sonoma County Wanderers, a 647-member hiking club, and don your walkable costume for this Halloween hoedown of a six-mile hike that climbs upwards of 1,700 feet. Starts at 9:45 a.m. at Sugar Loaf State Park in Kenwood and lasts nearly four hours. Bring lunch -- and if you don’t have a costume, one will be provided. Seriously, they’re not kidding. Get all the details at www.meetup.com/Sonoma-County-Wanderers. Annual dues are $10, but there’s a 30-day free trial membership.

Nuestros Parques Hike - Nov. 7: This informative Spanish-language tour is led by a bilingual guide, wandering through the wide-ranging flora and fauna of the Sonoma Valley Regional Park in Glen Ellen. As part of the Healthy Parks Healthy People Bay Area initiative, the hike starts at 10 a.m. and ends with a potluck picnic at noon. Parking is $7 or free for park members. 565-2275. parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov.

Raptors at Jenner Headlands - Nov. 15: When a man named Dave “Duck” Barry leads a hike, chances are it involves a few birds and, in this case, a sidekick named Larry Broderick as they traipse across this 5,630-acre future coastal park in search of a winged spectacle. This is a rare chance to roam this coastal hideaway, just north of the Russian River and now owned by the Sonoma Land Trust. Bring your binoculars and trusty bird books. Hats with ear flaps are never a bad idea. Free. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Reservations are required, at landpaths.org.

Bay Area freelancer John Beck writes about entertainment for The Press Democrat. You can reach him at 280-8014 or john@beckmediaproductions.com