Lower Park Overview, Lack London State Historic Park

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Lower Park Overview, Lack London State Historic Park

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Difficulty: Easy
Length: 1.6 miles / 2.6 km
Duration: 1-3 hours

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Overview: This short hike highlights the lower portion of Jack London SHP. Featured are the Happy Walls House and Museum, Jack and Charmian’s grave site, and the Wolf House Ruins.

Started in 1910 the Wolf House was to be a 15,000 square foot home featuring custom furniture, a reflecting pool, and more. In August of 1913, shortly before Jack and his wife Charmian were to move in, the home was consumed by fire and all that remained were the stone walls and concrete structures.

The Grave sites:
On November 22, 1916, Jack London passed away. His desire was to be interred on his ranch near the graves of some pioneer children that he and his wife had found in their explorations.

House of Happy Walls:
After London died, Charmian inherited the property. During her tenure on the ranch the House of Happy Walls, a smaller version of the Wolf House, was constructed. Charmian lived there until her death in 1955. It was her desire that the House become a museum in honor of her late husband and so it is today.

Location/Directions
The historic park is at 2400 London Ranch Road in Glen Ellen, about 20 minutes north of Sonoma.

Tips: Dogs are not allowed on back country trails. Dogs are allowed on a leash in the Historic Area only. Dogs are not permitted beyond the silos or inside the museum.

Bicycling and horseback riding are permitted on some trails.

Camping is available at nearby Sugarloaf Ridge State Park.

Points of Interest

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Trail head

Lower parking lot. Follow the path at the easterly end to Happy Walls House and the lower trails.

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Happy Walls House

Happy Walls House and Museum. The house was built by Jack’s wife Charmian in 1919. The structure was designed to be both a museum commemorating the couple’s travels and work and to be a home for her. Today this wonderful building serves as a museum, park store, and staff office.

Fascinating interior! Jack London's private library, first printings of his books, and memorabilia from his travels. Charmian's personal possessions, furniture that was to be used in the Wolf Lodge.

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Trail Head

Trail Head to Lower Trail. This Trail head is adjacent to the Happy Walls House entrance and will provide access to Jack London’s grave site (0.5 miles), Wolf Lodge (0.6 miles). Mixed forest of madrone, fir, and pine.

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Rest Stop

Meadow with bench, rest spot and vista. This trail has been designed with all ages and ability in mind.

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Mountain Meadow

Breaking out of the forest into a meadow area.

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Rest Stop.

Rest stop and water.

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Junction

Head easterly for a walk through a shallow valley under the trees. For a portion of this walk the trail parallels a creek.

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Junction

Trail Intersection. East to Jack London’s gravesite (dirt trail). West toward Wolf Lodge (paved trail). Bench and drinking fountain at the intersection. Follow the trail to the Gravesites. On the way the trail lies in a young Bay, Madrone, and tan-oak forest.

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Interpretive Sign

Informational sign on the London and Greenlaw Children’s Gravesites up ahead on the trail. This trail will take you through the woods and gently twist its way up a knoll.

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Grave Site

Jack and Charmian London’s Grave Site and informational sign.

Jack had desired to be buried near the Greenlaw Childrens' site that he and Charmian had found while exploring the property. Charmian wanted to be with him as well. Both are together under the boulder, itself a piece of the Wolf Lodge.

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Gravesite

David and Lilly Greenlaw Children’s gravesite. Found on a ride through the property by Jack and Charmian. David passed the year Jack was born in 1876. Jack desired to be buried on this hidden hilltop.

When ready, return to the last trail junction and head out to the Wolf Lodge.

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Meadow

A nice hilltop meadow.

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Wolf Lodge Approach

Wolf Lodge area approach. Situated within a Redwood Grove and when built (1911-1913), an expansive view of the Valley of the Moon. The structure was designed as a massive local stone mountain lodge. It burned just after completion and before the Londons could move in. Jack never had the opportunity to rebuild. A truly magnificent structure even in its ruined state.

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Interpretive Signage

Informational signage on Wolf House. Drinking fountain.

The Wolf Lodge was a 3 story "U"-Shaped home with a central open air reflecting pool. The home was designed as a mountain retreat and intended to be a marvelous place to entertain the London's many guests. A portion of the building was also intended to be Jack's study and place to write future works.

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Wolf Lodge

Interior overlook centered on the house interior’s reflecting pool. The park has a collection of blueprint copies on display illustrating the original and magnificent design of the structure.

This overlook of the ruins is centered on the home's reflecting pool that was intended to be stocked with bass.

Return up the trail to Waypoint 7.

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Vineyard

Across the park boundary is one of the many local vineyards. A great backdrop on the shady walk through this mix madrone and Eucalyptus forest area.

Pictures in this guide taken by: Craig_H

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