Frog Pond Wetland Preserve (Del Rey Oaks)

Two weekends ago, Shane and Caleb were at a Cub Scout function so the girls and I went on a hike. This is one of the best hikes I’ve taken the girls on. It’s a convenient location (about a 15 mins drive from Monterey), easy (flat and short) and surprisingly beautiful. I’ve driven by it so many times and never knew it was there. There is a sign that clearly stats “Frog Pond Wetland Preserve”, but you’d have to know when to turn your head to see it.

It’s a wetland pond that was once a grazing pasture for cattle and saved from being turned into a housing development in the 1970’s. This pond is seasonal and it sometimes (or maybe usually) dries up in the summer. I supposed that makes it like a vernal pool, except it isn’t natural.

The path is flat and relatively safe for me to let them all walk/run ahead of me.

Charlotte found some mushrooms! That stuff in the top right looks a bit like cilantro.

They’re off again! I know they are loving a hike when they start to run ahead of me and I have to remind them to look back and make sure I can see them.

This is the section that makes me think this is not wheelchair or stroller accessible. Maybe a stroller, but I wouldn’t take a double stroller.

There is one observation deck. There was a women there bird watching. I asked if she has seen any frogs, since we hadn’t. She said a few weeks ago she heard them all over but they don’t seem to be around now. But I know we’ll be back, so I wasn’t too disappointed.

There were two Canadian geese that swam right up to us. I’ve never seen them that close up. Seems they are well-fed by humans.

This is hike #27 from my Monterey Hikes list.

Hiking distance: 1-mile
Configuration: loop
Elevation gain: level
Difficulty: easy
Exposure: a mix of shaded forest and open wetland
Hiking buddies: the girls
Would you do it again? yes, definitely
Best for… everyone, especially very young children