Fire-scorched part of Hood Mountain Regional Park reopened to public

The entrance to a fire-scorched area of Hood Mountain Regional Park and Preserve has been reopened after months of repair work following the October wildfires.

The southern half of the 1,750-acre wilderness park in Sonoma Valley reached by Pythian Road had been closed since the October blazes swept across a large portion of the mountain, Sonoma County Regional Parks said Friday in a news release.

Forested slopes were charred and other areas significantly damaged during the firefight.

Parks staff, partners and contractors have worked to assess the condition of burned trees, repair trails, reinforce retaining walls and rebuild culverts to make the park safe for the public, the release said.

Most of the trails reached via Pythian Road are open, including trails leading to the 2,700-foot summit and Gunsight Rock. The areas around Merganser and Blue Heron ponds are closed for ongoing restoration.

Visitors will notice burn scars, bulldozer scrapes and erosion-control efforts as well as significant regrowth, including green grasses, wildflowers and new leaves on trees and shrubs.

Hikers are advised to follow new directional signs and stay out of closed areas.

Many of Hood Mountain’s trails are considered moderately difficult to challenging, including the initial climb from the parking area at 1450 Pythian Road.

Hood Mountain’s northern entrance at 3000 Los Alamos Road reopened in January.

Regional Parks is hosting a wildfire ecology hike from Pythian Road on May 19 to inform visitors of the fire’s impacts.

Hood Mountain hours are 7 a.m. to sunset. Visitors should bring plenty of water, as drinking water is not available in the park.

You can reach Staff Writer Guy Kovner at 707-521-5457 or guy.kovner@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter ?@guykovner.