VALLEY WATER GREAT SIGN HUNT 2020

FUN WATERSHED FACTS:

GUADALUPE WATERSHED

Here’s a fun bike trail & other things to do while in the Guadalupe Watershed:

LOS GATOS CREEK – FUN BIKE TRAIL:

This adventure will take you on the Los Gatos Creek Trail. Please see SVBC’s resource page which will assist you to navigate questions regarding bike riding basics, family biking tips, general mechanics of your bike and more!

Historically, the route of the Los Gatos creek served as a trail from the Santa Clara Valley into the Santa Cruz Mountains. Over time, the route was used by the Ohlone, early settlers, stagecoach travelers, and now, us! Spanning 11 miles, it passes through Los Gatos, Campbell and San Jose. Beginning at the southern end at Lexington Reservoir’s Lenihan Dam, follow the unpaved dirt and gravel trail for the first 1.5 miles to the Forbes Mill Museum landmark. Be advised there is a short steep section where you may have to dismount. You can alternatively start at Main street where the asphalt trail begins. Following the creek bank, you’ll be passing through a number of lovely parks. The southern segment of the trail ends at Meridian Ave in San Jose.

FLORA & FAUNA TO SPOT:

This adventure would not be complete without spotting some native wildlife and plants:

Animals

California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii); Federally Threatened, Species of Special Concern; Ponds, marshes, streams, and pools, especially areas with willow cover and cattails present.
California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense); Federally Threatened, State Listed – Threatened; Ponds and pools located in grasslands and low foothills.
Western pond turtle (Actinemys marmorata) ; Species of Special Concern; Ponds, marshes, rivers, streams, and lakes. Basks on emergent logs, boulders, and vegetation.
White-tailed Kite (Elanus Leucurus); California Fully Protected Species; Usually seen in open grassland or scrub.
Burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia); Species of Special Concern; Developed grassland such as golf courses, irrigated agriculture fields.
Central California Coast steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss); Federally Threatened; Perennial streams, rivers, estuaries and marine systems with cool, well-oxygenated water.

Plants

Santa Clara Valley dudleya (Dudleya abramsii ssp. Setchellii); Federally Endangered; Rare, threatened, or endangered in California; Rock outcrops in serpentine grasslands
Loma Prieta hoita ((Hoita strobilina); Rare, threatened, or endangered in California; Chaparral and woodland areas, usually in serpentine soil.
Eucalypt Tree (non native, but part of California’s history)

LOS GATOS ARTWORK:

Please note: You won’t find Valley Water signs at these locations, however these are a list of great attractions you might want to visit during your bike ride in this watershed. Enjoy!

“Eolian” (Eric Ziemelis 1991- Marble and steel sculpture) – Civic Center Lawn
“The Source” (Paul Wilson 1988 – Redwood sculpture) – Los Gatos Library West Entrance
“Portals and Passages” (Marilyn Kuksh 2001 – Large scale sculpture) – West end of the Civic Center lawn.
“Los Gatos Pescado” (Phil Lange 2012 – Kinetic sculpture) – Top of the kiosk at the corner of Fiesta Way and Main Street.
“The Main Street Bridge Mural” (Carol Huboi-Werry 2002 – Large scale mural) – Accessible from the Los Gatos Creek trail, Main Street undercrossing.
Emergency Art Museum, is a pop-up outdoor art museum, created in response to the Covid-19 emergency shutdown: https://emergencyartmuseum.com/for-kids-1
New Museum Los Gatos + Art Studio https://www.numulosgatos.org/