Las Trampas Regional Wilderness

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Escape from the business of the city and enjoy the peaceful trails of Las Trampas Regional Wilderness, while soaking in beautiful nature and all kinds of wildlife. Las Trampas is a large area of 5,342 acres - you’ll really feel like you’re far away from the streets!

There are trails along Bollinger Creek that are very good for spotting wildlife. In winter, afer the rains, you have a good chance of seeing California Newts.

There are stories of people spotting what appears to be big, black cats, whether they’re panthers, jaguars, leopards, or something else. Sightings are rare but there have been a number of witnesses who share similar stories. Read about the "legendary" black cat here.

Wildlife

• Mammals: Puma (Mountain Lion), Bobcat, Gray Fox, Raccoons, Striped Skunk, Opossum, California Ground Squirrel, Black-tailed Deer, Feral pig
• Birds: Lazuli Bunting, Lark Sparrow
• Reptiles: Western Skink, Western Fence Lizard, Southern Alligator Lizard
• Amphibians: Pacific Chorus Frog, California Newt
• Butterflies: Pipevine Swallowtail, Margined White, California Ringlet, Anise Swallowtail, Mournful Duskywing
• Dragonflies/Damselflies: Common green darner, Variegated Meadowhawk, Familiar Bluet

Anise Swallowtail - Papilio zelicaon

Articles and Links

• East Bay Parks official page on Las Trampas  ...link 
• Lizards on a Log - blog post dated 18 April 2011
• Field Trip to Las Trampas - blog post dated 17 August 2009
• Another black panther sighting, by Chris McLaughlin, San Francisco Examiner, 26 March 2009. Anecdotes and analysis regarding sightings of big, black cats in the East Bay hills.  ...link