Friday, January 30, 2009

Jack London State Park

Summary: This is a place to explore, to linger and to savor. Yet you can walk for miles and miles. There is much to see, and vistas at the summit that will thrill you. This is a place with a history, and if you explore the stories of this place, you will know the tragedy of Jack London's life. There are picnic tables, barbeques, and water available.

Pictures from the hike: (click slideshow to see bigger and with captions)



Jack London State Park is just a mile west from Old Glen Ellen. There is a $6 fee per car to enter the park which closes the gates at 5pm. You'll want to have time so get there early enough to cover the ground you plan to hike. The trail map is part of the brochure available at the previously linked site.

Your first time to this park, you'll want to explore slowly the ruins and read the plaques. Jack London is the author of Call of the Wild and White Fang, both favorites of mine. In one direction you'll find Jack London's grave and Wolf House. In the other direction you'll find the ruined winery, the cottage, the silos, the pig palace, and further afield London Lake, and even further Sonoma Mountain.