Austin Creek State Recreation Area
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Austin Creek SRA
Austin Creek State Recreation Area is adjacent to Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve in Sonoma County, California, and is accessed through the same entrance. With approximately 6,000 acres (24 km²) of open woodlands, rolling hills, and meadows, its topography offers a strong contrast to the dense, primeval redwood forest below. Within the park can be found deep tree-lined ravines, grassy hillsides and oak capped knolls. Rocky mountaintops offer glimpses of the Pacific Ocean. There are twenty miles (30 km) of trails and panoramic wilderness views, back-country camping, and Bullfrog Pond Campground--accessible by vehicle. The park's rugged topography, with elevations ranging from 150 to 1500 feet (50 to 500 m) in elevation, offers a sense of isolation from the accustomed sights and sounds of civilization.
This wilderness area is home to a rich diversity of native animals and plants. The springtime wildflower displays include Douglas Iris, Indian Paintbrush, buttercups, lupines, brodiaes, California poppies and Shooting Stars. The grasslands, chaparral, conifer, oak woodland and riparian habitats of Austin Creek SRA are home to a wild range of native animals including squirrel, deer, raccoon, fox, coyote, skunk, bobcat and an occasional Black Bear or Mountain Lion. Introduced species that are commonly seen include feral pigs and Wild Turkeys. Bird life in the park includes the Wood Duck and the Spotted Owl. Other more frequently seen birds include great blue herons, ravens, Black-shouldered Kites, California Quail, various woodpeckers, hawks and flycatchers. Several aquatic species live in Bullfrog pond including sunfish, Black Bass and bullfrogs. Trout, salmon, newts and salamanders are found in the many streams. Licensed anglers may fish Bullfrog Pond but all streams are closed to fishing to protect important spawning habitat.
A historic feature of Austin Creek SRA is the remaining buildings of Pond Farm Pottery. This was the home, workshop, and school of the internationally renowned ceramic artist Marguerite Wildenhain, who settled here after World War II. Formerly a student at Germany's famous Bauhaus school of design, Wildenhain enjoyed and was inspired by the peace and natural beauty of this area.