Newell Open Space Preserve Photos

Coppertone leading the way along the Prairie Ridge Trail. (Photo by Austin Explorer)

Looking down on American Canyon from the Prairie Ridge Trail. (Photo by Austin Explorer)

Looking back on the Prairie Ridge Trail at the brown, rolling hills. (Photo by Austin Explorer)

Hiking into the Canyon on the North Loop Trail. (Photo by Austin Explorer)

Coppertone descends from the Prairie Ridge Trail. American Canyon and the Napa-Sonoma Marshes Wildlife Area can be seen in the distance. (Photo by Austin Explorer)

Prairie Ridge Trail is a segment of our favorite route through some of the best parts of Newell. (Photo by Austin Explorer)

We'd seen plenty of Lupine along the trail leading into this valley in year's past. But there was no sign of them this year. (Photo by Austin Explorer)

The short Overlook Trail leads to this vantage point over American Canyon. Mount Tam is in the center of the picture in the distance. (Photo by Austin Explorer)

Coppertone descends along the Southeastern Trail that connects the Loop Trail with the Prairie Ridge Trail. American Canyon is in the distance. (Photo by Austin Explorer)

Looking into Lynch Canyon Open Space Preserve from the Prairie Ridge Trail. (Photo by Austin Explorer)

The Prairie Ridge Trail snakes forward and then to the left, just to the left of the sparse, wind swept, tree line. (Photo by Austin Explorer)

After some climbing from the valley below we topped out onto Prairie Ridge and looked back from where we'd come. (Photo by Austin Explorer)

A good number of cows seemed to enjoy lounging around the Saddle Trail. (Photo by Austin Explorer)

The shape of the trees that exist on the edge of the ridge give testimony to the frequent and strong winds that occur here. (Photo by Austin Explorer)

Most of the Prairie Ridge Trail is open to the skies. Here the trail darts through a small copse of trees, providing some relief from the Sun's rays. (Photo by Austin Explorer)

The Prairie Ridge Trail is also part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail, marked by the short orange posts. (Photo by Austin Explorer)

The Loop Trail forms a V a couple hundred feet below. Mount Tam can be spotted in the distance. (Photo by Austin Explorer)

A great view of the City of American Canyon and the Napa River marshes from the Prairie Ridge Trail. (Photo by Austin Explorer)

Many views from the Prairie Ridge are spectacular. Here's the view NE into Cordelia and beyond. (Photo by Austin Explorer)

Looking back down the South E trail towards American Canyon. (Photo by Austin Explorer)

Early in the hike and looking at our destination, the Prairie Ridge up ahead. (Photo by Austin Explorer)

As you can tell, we were captivated by the ridge, now in the distance. We could hear mourning doves singing in the trees running along the creek in the foreground. (Photo by Austin Explorer)

The rocky outcrop turns out to be multiple outcrops from another angle along the trail. (Photo by Austin Explorer)

This rocky ridge marks the park and county boundary. It also seemed like a prime cougar hangout spot to us. (Photo by Austin Explorer)