A Rare Day at Lewis Hill Preserve
Earlier this year on ਸ਼ਨੀਵਾਰ, ਫਰਵਰੀ 28, a large and enthusiastic crowd gathered at the base of Lewis Hill Preserve for one of Sequoia Riverlands Trust’s (SRT) most anticipated events of the year: the annual Lewis Hill Wildflower Walk. Hikers, families, photographers, and nature enthusiasts came from as far as Oregon, ready to make the climb. For many, it was their very first time setting foot on the property. That’s part of what makes this event so special.
Lewis Hill Preserve is not open to the public. On any given day of the year, it’s a protected landscape that you can admire from a distance but can’t access without permission from SRT. Once a year, that changes when the preserve opens for the Wildflower Walk and the public gets a rare look inside.
Why Lewis Hill Is Protected
Lewis Hill is protected for good reason. The 110-acre preserve is home to the striped adobe lily (Fritillaria striata), a state-threatened and endangered wildflower. These plants are extremely fragile, and foot traffic, invasive weeds, or even minor disturbances can damage entire populations. Keeping the preserve restricted most of the year isn’t about being exclusive. It’s about making sure these flowers are still here for future generations to experience.
The Climb to the Summit
The hike itself is a short but steady climb over rocky, uneven terrain, with a few hundred feet of elevation gain to the summit. It was a warm morning, and hikers came down with flushed cheeks and damp shirts. But almost universally, they were smiling, quick to tell friends and family about the views from the top and the wildflowers they had spotted along the way.
Along the trail, guides helped visitors spot wildflowers scattered across the hillside. While the striped adobe lilies that Lewis Hill is known for had mostly begun to go to seed this year, a few could still be found. It was a gentle reminder that nature moves quickly and the timing of wildflower blooms is never exactly the same from year to year.
Ask anyone who made it to the summit and they’ll tell you the view alone is worth the climb. A steady breeze at the top offered welcome relief from the warm morning, and several kites appeared against the wide valley sky. Visitors gathered to take photos, chat with fellow hikers, and enjoy a well-earned break before heading back down the trail.
More Than Just a Hike
Back at the base, the event had the warm energy of a community gathering. SRT’s own AmeriCorps member Hannah Rook had created special Lewis Hill 2026 stickers, as well as art prints, both available for purchase. These were beautiful, limited pieces made by someone who loves the preserve, which made them feel even more special. Seed packets from Dry Creek Nursery were also available, a fitting way to take a little piece of the Valley’s native plant heritage home.
The rest area gave people a place to decompress after the hike. There were shaded seats, snacks, and a chance to page through SRT’s publications and learn more about the organization’s broader conservation work. It turned what could have been a quick nature walk into a full morning of community, education, and connection.
Planning for Next Year’s Walk
If you missed this year’s walk, keep an eye on SRT’s events calendar and sign up for the newsletter. The Wildflower Walk typically happens in late ਫਰਵਰੀ or early ਮਾਰਚ, timed to when the adobe lily is at its best, though as this year reminded us, nature gets the final word on that. Spots are limited, and the event is free.
Photography: Ron Holman and Sequoia Riverlands Trust.
