Entertainment

Shop

Food & Spirits

Travel

Home & Life

Finance

Health

Real Estate

Best Of

Charitable Registry

Solano Magazine /  Travel /  Day Trips /  Take A Hike: Rush Ranch in Suisun Marsh (April/May 2007)

Take A Hike: Rush Ranch in Suisun Marsh (April/May 2007)

Rush Ranch in Suisun Marsh

Activity:
Nature-watching, particularly birds—of which there are 230 species. Also picnicking and special activities at the barn.

Special event:
The annual Ranch Day opens the season at Rush Ranch. Enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides, live music, Native American crafts, working horses and dogs, and falconry.

What’s so special?
A short drive from Suisun City and yet centuries away lies Rush Ranch, more than 2,000 acres near the mouth of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta and bordering and including part of Suisun Marsh—at one time the largest estuarine marsh in the continental U.S. The three hiking trails offer spectacular views of waterfowl, wildlife and the Potrero Hills.

Distance:
Marsh trail loop, about 2.2 miles (wheelchair accessible during dry spells); Suisun Hill trail about 2 miles; South Pasture trail about 2.4 miles.

Level of difficulty:
Very easy to easy (mostly flat).

Time:
1-3 hours; during comfortable weather, bring a picnic lunch.

Cautions:
No dogs are permitted on Marsh or South Pasture trails. On Suisun Hill, dogs may be off-leash, but must be under voice command. Bicycles are not permitted.

Getting there:
Follow State Highway 12 east about 4 miles from Interstate 80. Turn right onto Grizzly Island Road and drive about 2.5 miles south. The preserve entrance is on the right. Preserve is open from 8 a.m. to sunset, but check before going by calling Solano Land Trust at (707) 432-0150. Or check the Web site for the latest information: rushranch.org.

—Jane Lott