Beautiful manzanita bark graces the Indian Nature Trail at Clear Lake State Park near Kelseyville, Calif. Courtesy photo.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – A morning on the Indian Nature Trail at Clear Lake State Park is a perfect way to start a weekend.

You are invited to meet docent Walt Lyon at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 3, at the trailhead near the park entrance kiosk.

The short shaded trail is rated as moderate. Sturdy shoes are recommended for ease of walking on stone steps.

During this guided walk, Lyon will talk about the flora along the way.

How do you tell a blue oak from a valley oak? Are foothill pine nuts edible? Is the California buckeye really dying? Why do bears like the manzanita? Can poison oak really be that beautiful?

Enjoy a great exchange of information as you ascend this picturesque ancient lava flow.

If the parking lot at the entrance is congested, additional parking is available in the lot adjacent to the Visitor Center, which is only a brisk 15-minute walk back to the trailhead.

Visit www.clearlakestatepark.org for great photos and park information provided by Clear Lake State Park Interpretive Association.

Clear Lake State Park is located at 5300 Soda Bay Road near Kelseyville.