Actually, it was posted yesterday:

Some hiker friends of mine visit Butano State Park mainly as excuse to stop off for pie at Duarte’s in Pescadero, a few miles down the road. Duarte’s bakes luscious pies with berries picked from nearby fields, and any excuse to stop in for a slice is valid.

But Butano is worth a visit regardless of your pie-craving proclivities. The park has remarkable biological diversity – six distinct habitats – and an excellent mix of trails: flat walks along shady creeks, rocky hillside passages, hill climbs steep enough to require stairs.

From mushrooms and banana slugs on the forest floor to scrub jays and redwoods far above, Butano is a feast for the amateur naturalist (professionals’ mileage may differ, though; going there may feel too much like work).

More on Butano at bahiker.com .