Del Puerto Canyon

How to get there:

From the Stockton Area – Take  I 5 south through Lathrop and Tracy, past the Westley exit to the Patterson exit.

From areas south - Take I5 north from Santa Nella to the Patterson exit.

From the Bay Area – Take Hwy 580 east then south to where it merges with I 5 and go past the Westley exit to the Patterson exit.

Description: Stanislaus County's most diverse natural environment. The habitats range from grasslands along the western valley floor to chaparral and Blue Oak woodland. Visitors from the bay area frequently come here looking for Yellow-breasted Chat, Costa's Hummingbird, Greater Roadrunner, and Grasshopper Sparrow. Over 150 species of birds have been observed in Del Puerto Canyon. The birds along with interesting geology, herps, insects and other wildlife make this a must see birding spot.

Back to Top

Map:  

Back to Top

Nearby facilities:

            At the Westley exit just north of the Patterson exit there are a couple of hotels, several gas stations and restaurants. At the Patterson exit on the east side of I 5 there is a hotel, 2 gas stations and a couple of fast food restaurants. In the canyon, there are 2 camping facilities with restrooms about 16 miles from I 5. The first site, Frank Raines Park, has a nice picnic area with lousy restrooms, a nice softball field and some primitive camping. A half-mile up the road from Frank Raines Park is the Deer Creek Campground. This facility is geared for the RV camper with hookups and water at each site. They have nice restrooms with shower stalls. The next facilities are up and over the canyon to the San Antonio junction.  

Back to Top

Special Instructions:

For large groups, there are pullouts at the following mile markers: 0.15, 2.6, 3.6, 3.9, 10.4, 11.8, 12.3, 13.4, 16.7, 19.6 and at the top by the county signs, mile 21.3. The starting mile 0.0 is by the rock sign advertising Frank Raines Park just west of the I 5 exit ramp. However, all mileages are based on the painted markers on the road, NOT on actual mileage from the starting marker at the entrance to Del Puerto Canyon Road. For example, mile marker 3.6 is 0.6 miles past the mile 3 marker. These markers may not work in the reverse direction as the “Mile” markers on the road are anywhere from 0.8 to 1.2 miles apart. Care should be taken all along the canyon for rattlesnakes, ticks and scorpions. All of these occur regularly and more frequently in warmer weather.

Back to Top

Habitats:

            Grasslands – from the beginning of the canyon between mile markers 0.0 and 3.4 there are rolling grassy hills. Gradually Blue Oaks begin to make their appearance and will gradually thicken to form expansive woodlands on the shadier side of the canyon. On the drier south-facing slopes, chaparral vegetation takes over.

            Riparian – Fremont Cottonwoods and willow species make up the dominant vegetation all the way up the canyon along the streambed. The cottonwoods eventually fade out at the campgrounds. Where cattle have access to the streambed, few young trees can be found.

Woodlands - Moving upslope from the stream, depending on the soil conditions, Elderberry, Buckbrush, Tree Tobacco, Bush Monkey Flower, Indian Paintbrush and Yerba Santa often fill in the spaces in between the oak trees. In the shadier spots California Buckeye become numerous while on the drier slopes Western Juniper and Digger Pine appear. On the driest slopes, Chamise and Yerba Santa make up the dominant vegetation in the chaparral habitat.

            Chaparral – Starting at mile 3.0 on the north side of the canyon, the hottest and driest conditions, Chamise, Yerba Santa, Bush Monkey Flower, Happlopappus, and the occasional Blue Oak and Digger Pine form thick impenetrable stands of scrubby vegetation. This chaparral occurs all the way up to mile 20.7 where stands of manzanita take over.

Back to Top

Birding:

Between mile 0.15 and 2.0 check for Blue Grosbeaks and Burrowing Owl in the summer, Grasshopper Sparrows in the spring and the occasional Merlin in the winter. From mile marker 1.5 to 2.6 look for Mountain Bluebird in the winter. There is a small canyon at marker 3.0 with Tree Tobacco on the south side of the road. This is often a good spot for Costa’s Hummingbird. On the north side of the road there are some rocky outcroppings that often have Rock Wrens calling. From here on up to marker 17 be on the lookout for Greater Roadrunner. They may be anywhere visiting any habitat. Tree Tobacco occurs from this spot all along the canyon but is thickest between markers 3.4 and 6.0. These spots are the best for Costa’s Hummingbird although they may be found all the way to marker13. Be sure to stop and bird the area between markers 3.6 and 3.9 if there aren’t many people picnicing there. The cliff with the large holes at marker 3.9 is often called Owl Rock because of the Barn Owls that nest there. Check the holes carefully as there may be owls in the back recesses. Phainopepla, California Thrasher, Rufous-crowned Sparrow and Common Poorwill (at night during migration) have been seen here regularly.

As you drive up the road be on the lookout for Roadrunners anywhere and in the spring Common Mergansers are often in the creek. Green Herons are also present in the spring and summer. Along the flats between marker 9.3 and 9.7 look for Lewis’s Woodpecker. During good years many will be found here. Sometimes however, there aren’t any to be seen. This spot has had Band-tailed Pigeons and Pinyon Jays twice. Both species were recorded in the fall. At marker 10.2 there is a large stand of chaparral that often has Rufous-crowned Sparrow. Between here and the pullout at marker 10.4 be looking for Costa’s Hummingbird, Lazuli Bunting and Rock and Canyon Wrens. The Canyon Wrens often nest at the foot of the cliff at the far bend in the creek just upstream from where it crosses under the road. Costa’s and Black-chinned Hummingbirds have both nested on the cliff next to the pullout.

For the flower admirer, the pullout at marker 11.8 is a great spot to check during early April. Just before the cattle guard go up the steep slope on the left about 60 feet to the little knoll. Avoid walking through the middle of the knoll. There may be lots of Purple Owls Clover, Goldfields, Allium, Evening Snow, Shooting Stars, Larkspur and California Poppies. At different spots along the next 2 miles, Farewell-to-Spring and Brewer’s Clarkia are scattered along the loose shale slopes.

At marker 13.4 there is a big pullout. This spot is often called the Pygmy-Owl spot because this is the most regular spot to find Northern Pygmy-Owl in the canyon. Early dawn seems to be a good time to hear them. If you feel particularly energetic you can climb up the hillside on the north side, across the creek, to get to the chaparral habitat. This is a good spot for Sage Sparrow and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher as well as the regular chaparral birds such as California Thrasher and Wrentit. While you are losing sleep looking for the Pygmy-Owls, listen carefully for the Common Poorwills that inhabit the area. Be on the lookout for them on the road at dark, they have glowing red eyes. Best to try for them in late April or May. The owls may be found from here on up the canyon.

The next spot to stop is Frank Raines Park. This is a nice place to stop for a picnic (although the restrooms aren’t the best). A walk along the creek or up the loop trail along the hillside could result in some interesting birds such as Lawrence’s Goldfinch, Phainopepla, Hutton’s Vireo, Hairy Woodpecker, Wild Turkey or in the winter Varied Thrush and Red-breasted Nuthatch. It is best to try for the turkeys in April, early in the morning as the toms establish their presence.

            If you want to stop at the Deercreek Campground, drive down to the bottom parking lot. This isn’t official, but I’ve been told I could park there for free. Avoid walking into the offroad vehicle area as I’ve been asked to leave there twice. It does say on the rules not to go in there. More often, I’ve gone in unnoticed. This area has Sage Sparrow, Lawrence’s Goldfinch, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (twice), Red-breasted Sapsucker and in spring and fall, lots of neotropical migrants. Along the creek from the Deercreek Campground entrance to marker 16.8, listen carefully for Yellow-breasted Chats between late April and June. This area has been a fairly good spot for empidonax flycatchers (rare but regular).

Another good spot for flowers is at marker 18.5. Cross the creek on the concrete bridge and walk around the hillside. There are Red Larkspur, poppies, Shooting Stars, Chinese Houses and other species here. At marker 19.6 the road makes a sharp turn uphill. This is a good spot to stop and look for Steller’s Jay. There is a creek (Peachtree Creek) that comes down here. There are many No Trespassing Signs here so be sure to obey them and bird from the road. The jays have nested here and can be found with some patience and luck. The last stop is at the county line at marker 21.3. Just below here about marker 21.0, Cassin’s Finch and Townsend’s Solitaire have been found in winter and Black-chinned Sparrow in late spring (all three species quite rare).

Back to Top

Photos: