Sonoma Mountain

Coordinates: 38°19′23″N 122°34′31″W / 38.3230978°N 122.5751666°W / 38.3230978; -122.5751666
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
For the California wine region, see Sonoma Mountain AVA.

Sonoma Mountain
Annadel State Park
Highest point
Elevation2,463 ft (751 m) NAVD 88[1]
Coordinates38°19′23″N 122°34′31″W / 38.3230978°N 122.5751666°W / 38.3230978; -122.5751666[1]
Geography
LocationSonoma County, California, U.S.
Parent rangeSonoma Mountains
Topo mapUSGS Glen Ellen, CA (map image)
Climbing
Easiest routeTrail

Sonoma Mountain is a prominent landform within the Sonoma Mountains of southern Sonoma County, California.[2] At an elevation of 2,463 ft (751 m),[1] Sonoma Mountain offers expansive views of the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Sonoma Valley to the east. In fact, the viticultural area extends in isolated patches up the eastern slopes of Sonoma Mountain to almost 1,700 feet (520 m) in elevation.

The eastern and northern slopes are protected from afternoon heat and hence are more densely

savannah
.

Geology

Pacific madrone growing out of bedrock
on northeast slope of Sonoma Mountain

Until approximately twelve million years ago, this location was part of the seabed of the Pacific Ocean. In the

Rodgers Creek Fault also attests to this prehistoric tectonic movement. The eastern slopes of Sonoma Mountain drain to Sonoma Creek, the northern flanks drain to Matanzas Creek and the southwestern flanks are in the Petaluma River watershed
.

The most readily accessed eastern slopes have a predominant occurrence of Goulding

coast live oak. Soil depths are rarely over a few feet deep before bedrock is reached, but even thin soils support rich plant growth because of the high nutrient content and mild climate
.

The peak and higher northern slope of Sonoma Mountain consists of soils of the Goulding cobbly loam association, which are five to fifteen percent in slope and may contain up to 20 percent of cobblestones at the near surface. Outcrops of basaltic rock are common among this soil type, betraying the volcanic origin of Sonoma Mountain. The upper western reaches of Sonoma Mountain have some amounts of the Raynor clay association, which group typically has a depth to bedrock of about four to five feet. Lower on the western exposures, along the Lichau Creek immediate drainage area, there is a broad occurrence of Goulding clay loam on slopes of about 15 to 25 percent.

Ecology

Redwood grove on north flank of Sonoma Mountain in a riparian zone

The verdant forests on eastern exposures are fed by the year-round

scrub jay, Steller's jay, acorn woodpecker and junco. Because of the rich soils and mild climate, there are significant sized vineyards at elevations up to 1,700 feet (520 m) on the northeast flanks of the mountain, positioned like mosaics in a patchwork of mostly oak forest; these grapes contribute to some premium varietal wines, some of which are marketed as premium Sonoma Valley appellations
.

Jack London State Historic Park

ruins are protected within the state park. Sonoma Mountain had a significant influence on Jack London and his writings. In 1910 Jack London purchased this 1,000-acre (4 km2) property, known as the Beauty Ranch, for $26,000. He wrote that "Next to my wife, the ranch is the dearest thing in the world to me."[4] He wanted the establishment to become a successful business enterprise. Writing, always a commercial enterprise with London, now became even more a means to an end: "I write for no other purpose than to add to the beauty that now belongs to me. I write a book for no other reason than to add three or four hundred acres to my magnificent estate." The sloping terrain of the park has an access trail to reach the summit of Sonoma Mountain, although the final approach to the summit and the peak itself are not within the state park property.[5]

North Sonoma Mountain Regional Park

A view of Bennett Valley from North Sonoma Mountain Regional Park

The North Sonoma Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve encompasses 820 acres (3.3 km2) of Sonoma Mountain abutting Jack London State Historic Park. The land was purchased for public use between 2003 and 2015 by the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District in cooperation with the Coastal Conservancy and

Santa Rosa plain. Some viewpoints have picnic tables. Some trails are closed to mountain bikes, and dogs are not allowed in the park. Park access is through the former Jacobs Ranch at 5297 Sonoma Mountain Road, approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) from Bennett Valley Road.[6] The park is open from 7 AM to sunset, with a $7.00 parking fee for those without Regional Parks membership. There is a bathroom at the parking lot, but no drinking water is available. There is a wheelchair-accessible trail from the parking lot to picnic tables in a shaded grove on Matanzas Creek.[7]

Fairfield Osborn Preserve

Main article: Fairfield Osborn Preserve
Copeland Creek with basalt armor in channel, Fairfield Osborn Preserve

The

Land Grant holding and is now owned and managed by Sonoma State University, who uses it as a research base and as an educational tool for the general public. An understated natural trail system weaves through the property to provide access to creek canyons, ridges and marshy areas. The preserve is situated at elevations between 1,600 and 1,900 feet (490 and 580 m) above sea level and features a landscape riddled with basalt exposures that betray the volcanic prehistory
of Sonoma Mountain.

Viticulture

Vineyard on northwest flank of Sonoma Mountain

Sonoma Mountain gives its name to the Sonoma Mountain AVA, a federally designated grape-growing region.[9]

The peak of Sonoma Mountain defines part of the boundary of another such region, the Sonoma Coast AVA. Wines made from grapes grown on its western and southern slopes qualify for the Sonoma Coast appellation, but wines made from grapes grown on its eastern and northern slopes do not.[10]

Broadcasting

The TV broadcast antenna for KRCB was located on Sonoma Mountain from the station's start-up in 1984 until it moved to Sutro Tower in San Francisco in 2019.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Sonoma Mountain". NGS Data Sheet. National Geodetic Survey, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, United States Department of Commerce. Retrieved September 1, 2009.
  2. ^ Sonoma Mountain Study, a Specific Plan, Sonoma County Community and Environmental Services, February, 1978
  3. Soil Conservation Service
    .
  4. ^ Jack London, John Barleycorn (1913)
  5. ISBN 0-935701-93-1
  6. ^ Moore, Derek (February 13, 2015). "New county park on Sonoma Mountain offers miles of trails". The Press Democrat. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
  7. ^ "North Sonoma Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve". Sonoma County Regional Parks. Sonoma County. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
  8. ^ Larry Serpa and Lynn Lozier, Fairfield Osborn Preserve: Natural History and Ecology (1981)
  9. ^ Code of Federal Regulations, Title 27, Section 9.102: Sonoma Mountain.
  10. ^ Code of Federal Regulations, Title 27, Section 9.116: Sonoma Coast.

External links

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