More than 200 people attended Pacheco State Park’s fifth annual Wildflower Day on April 5, where visitors were greeted by sunny skies and green fields carpeted with wildflowers.

The park’s wildflowers were at their peak, splashing the fields with yellow from the buttercups, gold fields and poppies.

The three guided hikes that day were also a huge success. The early birding hike, led by Central Valley Bird Club member John Fulton, had over 30 participants who were treated to spectacular views of two golden eagles, the largest local bird, as well as numerous hummingbirds, the area’s smallest local bird.

The wildflower hike, led by retired Pacheco State Park ranger Dave Milam, had over 40 hikers who learned about the Native American uses of plants as they hiked out to an overlook with a panoramic view of the San Luis Reservoir.

The adobe history walk, led by ranger Dennis Poole, had 30 walkers who visited the buildings where Paula Fatjo lived before she donated her property to the state of California to become Pacheco State Park. The hike included visiting the remains of the Pacheco adobe in which her family lived and was the first house built in what is now Merced County.

Wildflower Day guests also visited various information tables, where they learned about groups such as the Central Valley Bird Club, the Department of Fish and Game and the California Native Plant Society.

Students from the Conservation and Biological Invasion Club at California State University, Stanislaus, discussed the problems that non-native plants such as Yellow Star Thistle pose for local palnts.

Everyone who attended Wildflower Day received a colorful button, and children played a game that ended with making a craft prize.

Wildflower hikes and adobe history walks are being offered weekends through April. Visitors are reminded that no drinking water is available in the park, and that the weather can change quickly.

The park is located off Dinousar Point Road at the top of Pacheco Pass.

Call 826-6283 for additional information.