Zipping along Grizzly Island Road on the way to the wildlife area, there's so much to look at that Rush Ranch may fall by the wayside. Rush Ranch's 2,070 acres is a fraction of Grizzly Island, and the Solano Land Trust preserve lacks the Fish and Game reserve's wild nature. However, you may find Rush Ranch more conducive to hiking and nature observation, because the ranch does not permit hunting or fishing, (seasonally) popular activities at Grizzly Island.
     There are three trails at Rush Ranch, all loops. Two begin near the visitor center and offer self-guided tours. The third, Suisun Hill Trail, starts across the street from the ranch entrance on Grizzly Island Road, and climbs up into the Potrero Hills (you can park right at the ranch entrance to access this trail). South Pasture and Marsh Trails get the most use, and during the school year the barn and visitor center area are busy with kids on field trips, learning about acorn grinding, native plants, and the culture of the Patwin Indians.
     Summer and early autumn are dry and hot, although breezes cool things down a bit. Winter is very muddy, but a good time to birdwatch. In early spring Rush Ranch really is gorgeous -- the grass is green and wildflowers dot the hillsides and meadows.
     Pick up a South Pasture Trail Guide from the visitor center. Start in the broad bare area between the barn and visitor center. South Pasture Trail begins at a gap in a white fenceline -- there is no trail sign, but look for a series of "no bikes/smoking/hunting/dogs" symbols on the fence. The hiking-only trail winds through the ranch's "boneyard," where old farm equipment has been put out to pasture. Stay to the right when the trail splits. You'll pass a water tower, then leave the boneyard and enter grassland. On clear days the view extends south to Mount Diablo. At post 5 the trail makes a transition to marshland. Even in early autumn when the grass is dry a few plants including pickleweed and alkali heather remain green, and some put forth flowers along the trail. Panicled willowherb and yellow star thistle were abundant on my September hike. At 0.35 mile South Pasture Trail approaches a junction and small hill. Continue straight.
     At the top of the hill there's a bench looking west and a sign pointing right, to an Indian grinding stone. Turn right, walk downhill, and at 0.44 mile, bear right. You'll reach the rock at 0.47 mile; when you're ready turn back and retrace your steps to the hilltop, then turn right and continue on South Pasture Trail.
     The trail curves left and reaches a fence. Go through the gate, then bear right. On a perfectly flat course, the trail through bare grassland offers dramatic views of Mount Diablo. South Pasture Trail bends left and approaches a water tank, where cows and horses often congregate. It can be a bit tough to follow the trail here -- stay to the right of the trough and the path reappears, easy to follow again. You might see military planes taking off from Travis Air Force Base, just over the rolling Potrero Hills to the east. Hawks and other raptors are common. At 1.38 miles, the trail veers left, at a signed junction. Follow the path left, here shrunken in stature.
      Descending slightly, South Pasture Trail heads north. In late September, every step dislodged a cloud of grasshoppers. At 1.59 miles Spring Branch Trail heads back to the west. Squeeze through (or climb over) the pass-through in the fence, then continue straight on South Pasture Trail.
     Post 15 identifies Spring Branch Creek, nearly invisible in the driest months of the year. In summer and autumn it's hard to imagine the creek stretching "50 feet across and one to two feet deep" during heavy rainfall, as the trail guide reports. A rickety elevated walkway bridges part of the creekbed. As you pass through another gate and leave the pasture area, you might see wildflowers along the trail in spring. In March creamy yellow johnnytuck is common, sprawled through the fresh green grass on the eastern edge of the property. South Pasture Trail heads back toward the ranch. Look north for a view of the Vaca Mountains. After one last gate you'll return to the boneyard. Bear right to return to the trailhead.

Total distance: 2.16 miles
Last hiked: Tuesday, September 24, 2002

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