Solano Land Trust: Lynch Canyon


Solano Land Trust: Lynch Canyon
With habitats ranging from steep grasslands to the riparian corridor of Lynch Creek, the property is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Buckeyes, oaks and wetland meadows provide shelter for deer, fox, bobcat, waterfowl, and many raptors, including red-tailed and red-shouldered hawks, and the majestic golden eagle. Also of interest are excellent specimens of native grasses and spring wildflowers such as Johnny jump-ups, California poppies, brodiaea, milkmaids, yarrow and lupine. A small reservoir provides a home to muskrats, great blue herons and endangered California red-legged frogs.

The first inhabitants of Lynch Canyon were Native Americans known as the Patwins, part of the larger linguistic family, the Wintuns. The Suisunes, a sub-tribe of the Patwins, likely hunted deer, elk and bear on the property, and gathered acorns in late summer. General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo held the first official title on the property, but when the United States took possession of California his deed was disputed and the land was sold for $1.25 per acre. During the next century, landowners grazed cattle and sheep on the land. Tri-County Development Inc. bought the property in the early 1980s to build a landfill, but Solano County voters rejected the project. Solano Land Trust purchased the property in two parcels, completing the transfer in 1996.

Lynch Canyon serves as an important buffer zone between the cities of Fairfield and Vallejo. It is located just north of Interstate 80 between American Canyon Road and Highway 12 (Jameson Canyon Road).

The purchase of Lynch Canyon was made possible by a variety of funding sources including the Tri-City and County Cooperative Planning Group, the City of Fairfield, the California State Legislature, California Department of Parks and Recreation, the California Transportation Commission, California Department of Fish and Game and other sources. Since its acquisition, nine miles of trails have been built or improved with funding by the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council and the Coastal Conservancy. Other public access improvements include picnic tables, hitching posts for horses, parking lot, information kiosk, trail signs and a toilet.

"Diary of a Walk Through Lynch Canyon," a poem by Suzanne Bruce (Word Document)
www.SolanoLandTrust.org

Lynch Canyon is now open to the public
Solano County has partnered with Solano Land Trust to open Lynch Canyon to the public Wednesday through Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to posted closing time. Closed Monday and Tuesday. This agreement is good for three years; it is important that the public support participating agencies and landowners. Bay Area Barns and Trails has donated $7.500 to the Solano Land Trust in support of trails related projects.

About Lynch Canyon
Drop into the magic of Lynch Canyon, a Bay Area getaway just minutes from I-80 between Fairfield and Vallejo. The hum of traffic disappears when you step into the 1,039-acre Lynch Canyon property and enter a world of steeply rolling hills blanketed with grasslands and accented with groves of buckeyes and live oaks. This enclosed watershed drains to the Suisun Marsh via Lynch Creek. Grasslands, oak groves, riparian woodlands, and wetland meadows provide shelter and forage for deer, gray fox, coyote, bobcat, meadowlark, goldfinch, waterfowl, and many raptors, including the golden eagle. The 900-foot ridges offer panoramic views extending from the Coast Ranges to San Francisco Bay and across the Delta to the Sierra Nevada. Lynch Canyon was acquired by the Solano Land Trust in 1996, and is now home to a section of the Bay Area Ridge Trail.

Hours: Wednesday through Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to posted closing time.
Closed Monday and Tuesday. Restrooms are available at the parking area. No drinking water.

Water on trail; Hitchrails and parking for horse trailers

Directions: From I-80 take the Hiddenbrooke/American Canyon Exit between Vallejo and Fairfield. Turn east on McGary Road (frontage road that runs parallel on the south side of I-80) and proceed to the I-80 underpass. Turn left at the underpass. Proceed through gate at end of cul-de-sac to gravel parking lot.

Fee: A daily parking fee is required as posted. Annual parking passes are available through County Parks at (707) 784-7905.
www.solanolandtrust.org


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