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View of parking lot /staging area 2 mi. west on Casa Loma Rd.
Access Mayfair
Ranch Trail from west end of parking lot. |
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Wheelchair friendly Llagas Meadow Trail (left)
& Mayfair Ranch Trail start here. |
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| Mayfair Ranch Trail access is across Casa Loma Road. |
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| Entrance to Mayfair Ranch Trail. |
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| Mayfair Ranch Trail climbs in a series of gradual switchbacks. |
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And passes through thick chaparral,
sagebrush, oaks and manzanita. |
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| With long stretches shaded by a canopy of trees. |
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| Sage and Bay Laurel scent the air along these shady avenues. |
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Splashes of crimson and smoldering amber
warn the unwary of poison oak. |
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Amid a tangle of manzanita, an adult
Merriam's Chipmunk feeds. |
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Nearby, a juvenile also enjoys munching
unripe manzanita berries. |
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Merriam's Chipmunks were once common in Santa Clara Valley
but extensive farming, urban sprawl, and habitat destruction
drastically reduced their numbers. |
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On a trailside bank of tangled grasses,
scores of Clarkia wildflowers bloom. |
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| Light filters through leaves of trailside poison oak. |
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Trail continues upwards through a
series of open meadows, shady woods. |
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| Near the ridge the trail passes through a grove of blue oaks. |
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| View west along Mayfair Ranch Trail. |
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Ancient oaks with spreading limbs
adorn the trail in many places. |
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Trail continues along a high ridge
through grassy meadows accented with oaks. |
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| Distance across high meadow is about half mile. |
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| Trailside monarch with spreading limbs. |
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| View of distant valley and foothills from Mayfair Ranch Trail. |
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Trail affords views of remote sections
of Rancho Canada del Oro Preserve. |
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Late spring wildflowers like this
"Elegant Clarkia" bloom along the trail. |
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Butterflies, like this Chalcedon Checkerspot,
sip moisture from a variety of sources. |
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| A flowering member of the mallow plant family. |
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| Scattered across a hill-top meadow, Mariposa Lilies bloom. |
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| A fine tangle of lilies and grasses. |
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| Tiny jewel-like spider with coloration to match its lily host. |
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Bright pink Farewell-to-Spring Clarkias are common
along the Mayfair Ranch Trial. |
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In areas of thick brush, Sticky Monkey Flowers
also accent the trial. |
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Tiny butterflies like this Tailed Copper
sip nectar from trailside coffeeberry bushes. |
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View of Mayfair Ranch Trail as it
winds through mixed woodlands. |
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| View south of adjacent parklands. |
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Mountain-biker crosses high meadow
along the Mayfair Ranch Trail. |
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Distance from parking lot to Longwall Canyon
Trailhead is 3.1 miles. |
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After crossing a series of high grassy meadows,
the trail dips into Longwall Canyon. |
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View from Mayfair Ranch Trail across
Longwall Canyon to Bald Peaks Trail area. |
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This Wood Nymph butterfly's coloration
blends well with its surroundings. |
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| Another commonly seen butterfly is the Callippe Fritillary. |
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| A pair of equestrians breeze downhill. |
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Small bridge built by OSA's trail technicians
along lower section of trail. |
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Trail parallels a streambed as it
winds its way through Longwall Canyon. |
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Seep-spring monkey flowers favor creek,
drainage areas that retain moisture. |
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Colorful butterflies like this California Sister
favor creek corridors as well. |
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| Mayfair Ranch Trail view in Longwall Canyon. |
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| Bridge on left is needed when winter rains fill streambed. |
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Mayfair / Longwall Canyon Trail junction.
Return downhill to Longwall Canyon trailhead,
then
follow access road back to Casa Loma Road
and to the OSA parking lot.
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Return to Top. |
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