Docent-led Hikes on the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve

These exclusive docent-led hikes are a fun way to visit this special place which is not open to the public.

Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve

In addition to protecting local flora and fauna, the reserve provides environmental research opportunities for students and researchers worldwide.

 

Spring 2021 Hikes

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, we have canceled our docent-led hikes through the end of 2020. Optimistically, we will resume our hikes spring of 2021. Please continue to follow our Facebook page for updates from staff and continue to visit this webpage for current information.

6 hikers sitting on rocks on top of a mountain with view of rocky terrain

Hikers enjoying the view on the Highlands Hike

two hikers sitting on a rock near the river enjoy a rest

Hikers Rich and Janee resting in the Temecula Gorge

hiker resting on back giving peace sign with fingers

Hiker resting on Highlands Hike

4 hikers standing outside hole in rock

Botanists: Micheal Crouse, Ashley Ariaza, Tom Chester and Beth Cobb

hikers sitting on rocks on a hill with distant view of city iin the background

Hikers admire the rock pots on the Highlands Hike

hiker smiling in front of rock

Lesley Gregory on Highlands Hike

3 hikers sitting on a rock near the river

Hikers enjoy a rest and snack on the Temecula Gorge Hike

5 hikers standing in a row

Hikers enjoy the Highlands Hike

hiker sits on top of a rock looking outward. A rocky hill is in the background

Docent Tom Somers enjoys a thoughtful rest on the Highlands Hike

Hikers on a high point of a trail with a view of the distant horizon

Hikers head back on the Highlands Hike

group of hikers sitting on rocks near river

gorge hike photos during bioblitz

group of 17 people pose on a hill with a river gorge in the background

Hikers having fun on the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve Temecula Gorge Viewing

5 hikers standing on rock near river

Temecula Valley Woman’s Club and Pablo in Temecula gorge

15 hikers standing in brush with blue sky background

Buena Vista Audubon docents group enjoying view of Temecula Gorge

5 hikers climbing hill on dirt road

Buena Vista Audubon group walking up the hill from gorge

5 hikers climbing up a dirt road hear river

Buena Vista Audubon Docents visit Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve

One hiker standing in river with green plants in background

Beth Cobb Docent on Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve

4 hikers with mountains in the background

Ashley Ariaza on Chaparral Trial with hikers

Hikers resting on rocks
group of hikers posing for photo near river

17

hikers exploring an ephemeral pool
hikers resting on rocks

Hikers rest on rocks in the Temecula Gorge

two hikers emerging from a small cave
Woman with blue backpack, blue baseball cap and glasses in front of hillside with scrub and rocks
A group of hikers
Students visiting a Field Stations Program
Hikers on the road above the river
adult male pointing to rock formation

David Rogers pointing to pneumatic drill hole on railroad bed

hiker standing on hill with clouds in background

Docent Ashley Ariaza enjoys the Chaparral Trail

hiker standing holding a plant among lush green background

Beth Cobb stands holding a Tetracoccus dioicus branch on the Chaparral Trail. This plant is considered endangered and found on the protected Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve.

hiker stands with left hand holding a flower with rocky slopes in the background

Docent Ashlley Ariaza admires a Snowdrop plant flower

A group of hikers in a wooded area
11 hikers stand in a row with wooden posts and a hill in the back ground

H

Temecula Gorge hikers pose for a photo at Stone Creek Ranch

unpaved road with corridor of trees arching over

Riparian area by the SMR in the spring

river with steep walls on both sides with fog

Foggy morning in the Temecula Gorge

Docent-led hikes

Check out the schedule for upcoming fall 2020 docent-led hikes

Dangerous Snakes

Friendly People

PJ Falatek enjoys the Highlands HIke

Hikers observing fairy shrimp on the Highlands Hike

View from Highlands Hike

Hikers head back from the Highlands HIke

Teenagers enjoy the Temecula Gorge Hike