Ring Mountain is an undeveloped hill containing a remarkable block of high-grade metamorphic rocks of the Franciscan Complex. Whereas the Marin Headlands section was little disturbed during subduction, this packet of rocks has isolated blocks that were buried as deep as 70 kilometers, brought up, and buried again to lesser depths before reaching the surface. It is mostly serpentinite and hence has a high nickel content that makes it inhospitable to many plants, including most trees. The high-grade blocks are part of a mixture of rock types called mélange that is common throughout the Franciscan Complex.
Other entrances to the preserve exist on the north side off Paradise Drive. Most of the photos for stop 2 are from that part. Do not hammer or collect any rocks here. Also, the preserve is famous for its rare plants that grow only on serpentinite. Do not collect any plants here either.
Day 1, Coast Range: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9
Day 2, Sierra Nevada: 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18
Day 3, Sierra Nevada: 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28
