Celebrate Annadel's 40th

Annadel State Park at 40 years. The assignment was to capture the heart and soul of Sonoma County's premier urban wilderness park in photographs. Its anniversary couldn't have come at a better time. The oak woodlands and flat valleys are lush with spring growth.

Wildflowers are emerging from winter shadows, while redwood and fir forests are buzzing with life. Wild turkeys gobble about in False Lake Meadow, and black-tailed deer venture down to lower elevations in search of tender shoots. The route from Spring Lake up Rough-Go trail delivers stunning views of the Santa Rosa plain, all the while moving deeper into Annadel's interior. The nearly seven-mile round trip to Lake Ilsanjo and back is worth the effort. A camera, water and a snack are the only requirements for the half-day trek.

Steve's S trail on the east leads through a cool pine and redwood forest where mottled sunlight hits the forest floor and regenerates fern growth. At eight-tenths of a mile, it's the perfect beginner's hike, but eventually joins the Warren Richardson trail. That fire road winds along the park's perimeter before ending at the Channel Drive parking lot. It's popular with mountain bikers who use it as a segue to other parts of the park. Be quick if you want to see Annadel in spring. In another month or so, the grass and wildflowers will turn summer brown.

-- Kent Porter