Tehachapi Randall Preserve

Randall Preserve Field Trip Description
Hosted by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Orange County Chapter California Native Plant Society (OCCNPS)

The Randall Preserve is The Nature Conservancy’s largest preserve in California. Located in the Southern Sierra, it serves as a critical habitat for wildlife and native plants, including black bears, mountain lions, bobcats, and the endangered California condor. Much of its diverse flora remains unmapped and undocumented.

Join TNC’s Zach Principe, regional project manager, and Rachel Mason, Tehachapi preserve, as they guide us through this stunning 70,000-acre preserve in the Tehachapi Mountains. The specific locations we visit will be determined closer to the field trip date, based on weather, road conditions, and plant activity. Expect to explore diverse landscapes such as grasslands, oak woodlands, riparian areas, mountain savannahs, and Southern coniferous forests, with elevations ranging from 800 to nearly 8,000 feet.

Trip Details

· Meeting Point: 8:45 AM at Albertsons parking lot, Tehachapi.

· Departure: 9:00 AM (The preserve is closed to the public, and gates will be locked after entry.)

· Attendance: Limited to 15 participants. Sign-ups will close Sunday, March 23 at 11:30pm.

Route: Determined by plant concentrations, weather, road conditions, and AWD/4WD availability.

· Vehicles: If enough off-road vehicles are available, we can take a more remote route. Suitable off-road vehicle has these characteristics: AWD/4WD and 8 inches of clearance. If you have a suitable AWD/4WD vehicle and can bring it, please email Rachel Whitt [email protected].

· End: Approximate return to Albertson’s parking lot 3:00-4:00PM, depending on the group.

What to Bring

· Food and water: Lunch, snacks, and beverages (we will rest for a picnic-style meal).

· Hiking gear: Hat, sunscreen, sturdy hiking shoes/boots.

· Extras: Camera, wildflower book/notepad, binoculars for birdwatching, and hand lens.

· Restroom availability: Only at the Albertsons parking lot.

Additional Information

· Fee: No sign-up fee, but donations to TNC Randall Preserve and OCCNPS are encouraged.

· Physical Difficulty: Varies; includes driving, exploring, and hiking.

· Duration: Approximately 6 -7 hours, depending on the group.

· Trip Leaders: Zach Principe (TNC), Rachel Mason (TNC) & Rachel Whitt (OCCNPS) ()

· Accommodations: Some attendees will be staying at Holiday Inn Express Tehachapi.

Host or Publisher Rachel Whitt