Arana Gulch

[2] Prior to California statehood, Arana Creek was the dividing line between lands assigned to the Villa de Branciforte (to the west) and those of Rancho Arroyo del Rodeo.

[8] To support the migratory monarch butterfly population, native tarplant growth has increased via the return of black angus cows who serve as a disruptive resident as they stomp and eat the competing flora.

In recent times, three notable closures of the human walking trails have occurred, all arising as a response to enhance and maintain safety for the residents and community living nearby.

This trail's construction took extra time and care to minimize the ecological impact of the native habitat, and partially closed the gulch for a number of months.

[12] The measure was considered to be preventative, as locals had reported to the city police that transients were camping and cooking in the adjacent forest and posed a danger to the residents of the gulch and neighboring households.

The most recent closure in April 2020 supported the state and local policy on social distancing and shelter in place measures resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic in California.

View of Arana Creek from Arana Gulch Bridge; the creek flows under the bridge and into the Santa Cruz Small Craft Harbor .
View of Arana Creek and its floodplain, also known as Arana Marsh, from the Arana Loop hiking trail
Hiking trail on Arana Gulch area
Newborn calf and mother 6/24/19
The swampy part of the gulch is also known as Arana March. [ 7 ]
Arana Gulch Black Angus cows (2017)
This barn collapsed and is no longer there, but housed animal residents for many decades.
Arana Gulch barn for cattle