Santa Rosa received more rain in three days than ever before in recorded weather history, and it seems likely that we had as much or more here in Sonoma. Given that, perhaps it should be surprising that we still have a trail. But I have a hard time not grieving for the havoc that the storm created.
I should point out that the hillside that the Overlook Trail traverses is essentially all rock. I’m reminded of this any time I try to dig up soil to put on the trail. My shovel is more likely to clang into stones than it is to sink into soil. This results in very little rain soaking into the ground—instead, it runs off. What water does sink into the soil only does for short distances, and it soon flows onto the trail which serves as a convenient exit from the rocky hillside.
And exit it did—in many locations and with great volume. On one section in particular, the water then plunged down the trail, blew through a couple small drains and scoured the trail for about 100 feet (see video below of one small section). This will take a lot of work and many wagonloads of aggregate to fix.
But yes, we already have a strong start to our winter rains. I just wish it would come in smaller increments, or over longer periods. Wish us luck.
We’re in the very early days of “Thistle Season,” which sadly lasts from November into August. That’s right, those of us who struggle against thistle get something like 2-3 months off a year. And knowing how relentless invasive species can be, that actually seems generous to this obsessed lunatic. Italian thistle starts coming in as early as the rain does while Yellow starthistle doesn’t come in until much later in the season, like around May and extending into August.
Sonoma Overlook Trail • Montini Open Space Preserve 