NOVEMBER OUTINGS

Each Tuesday and Thursday, November 3 through November 26, the following walk will take place:  

Brisk Morning Walk (1A) Davis

4-mile loop via Davis greenbelts/bike paths. May include Davis ponds, UC Davis campus, or arboretum. Meet 8 a.m. at Peet’s Coffee (1A) Market Place Shopping Center, corner of Sycamore Lane & West Covell Blvd. (from Hwy. 113, exit east on West Covell Blvd. Not limited to singles. Leader: M. C. Carter <mccarter@ucdavis.edu> or (530) 758-3151.

Midweek hikes in the Groveland/Ywy 120 area (Tuolumne Group, Sierra Club)

          November 4, Wednesday

Day HIke (1A) Tinker’s Cut Off, Manzanita and Stagecoach Loop (Seniors)

We’ll make a 4-5 mile loop using the narrow, steep but short Tinker’s Cut Off to Stagecoach and then Manzanita as our uphill route.  This is a moderate but steady uphill with some narrow, rutted sections.  We will enjoy the views of the American River on the wide, moderate grade of the historic Stagecoach Trail, dating from the 1850’s, on the way down.  Bring snack, water, and essentials.  Meet at 9:30 a.m. in Auburn at bulletin board & port-a-potty at Confluence Area, just before old (low) Foresthill Bridge.  Rain cancels. Leader: Sheila Toner 530-886-0673.

          November 7, Saturday

Free Winter Skills Class

The El Dorado Nordic Ski Patrol (EDNSP) is sponsoring a free all day winter skills class in Placerville. Subjects covered will include Avalanche Awareness, Hypothermia, Weather, Packs and Equipment, Group Dynamics, Nutrition, Clothing, Emergency Shelters.  The class is held from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Forest Service office.  Seating is limited so call early and reserve a seat.  Contact the EDNSP at 530-647-1825.  For more information visit www.EDNSP.org

Day Hike (1A)  Chaw-Se, Indian Grinding Rocks State Park and Black Chasm Cavern (Yokuts)

See State Parks before they close!!   We will check out Black Chasm Cavern near the town of Pioneer (Hiway 88) then head over to Chaw-Se for lunch.   We will spend some time in the museum, walk through the reconstructed Native American village, and walk the 1.5 mile nature trail.   Bring appropriate outer gear (be prepared for rain/cool weather), lunch, beverages, shoes that you don't mind getting muddy, and $$ for entrance fees/carpooling.   Parents with kids OK.  Will depart from Modesto at 8 am.   Contact outing leader Elaine Gorman, 209.524.7630 or goford@sbcglobal.net to sign up.

          November 14, Saturday

Day Hike, Point Reyes 4,000 (5D)

This trip will start from Bear Valley, up Mt Wittenberg, down to Coast Camp, over to Wildcat Camp, up Fir Top, down into Five Brooks and back to Bear Valley. This hike will be about 22 miles and at least 4,000 feet of gain, and it is very strenuous.  The hike is limited to 8.  Bring the 10 essentials, 3 quarts water, lunch, and snacks.  Note: There are both poison oak and stinging nettles in the area.  Please do not contact me after 7 p.m. the day before.  No dogs.  Must be in great shape.  Leader: Ted Lenzie (916) 985-6144 or Clubted@Gmail.com

Day Hike (2B) Canyon Creek (ASRA)

This hike follows a mostly level trail along the heavily forested south side of the American River canyon, with a few steep parts.  Hike stats: 9 miles (round trip), elevation gain 1000', starting elevation 1800’.  This will be a moderately paced hike, so hikers must be in good condition.  Bring the essentials, including 2-3 quarts water, snacks, lunch, sturdy hiking boots, layered clothing due to changeable weather conditions and $$ for carpool drivers.  Hike limited to 15.  No dogs.  Hike rain or shine.   Contact leader for details & reservation before Nov 13th.  Leader:  Mike Ranta, greatstuff959@hotmail.com or 916-966-0531 (before 9PM).

Day Hike (2A) Out-of-Season Feather Falls (Yahi Group)

I’ve done this trip every month of the year and I love it in the winter... OK, late fall.  Gone are the dust, heat, and crowds.  Present are the creeks, foliage, and the high falls.  It will get the couch potatoes going before winter arrives with its torporous burden.  Actually, it's just a fun time.  Contact John at 530-872-8258.  Meet at Chico Park N Ride at 8:30AM or northwest corner of Oroville Wal-Mart parking lot at 9:15AM.

Day Hike (2A) Stevenot Winery (Tuolumne Group)

A walk to the winery located near Murphys on the San Domingo Creek country road. It is a moderate hike of 8 miles, round-trip that takes one past pastureland, old homesteads, and gold mine diggings. Wine tasting and purchase of quality wines will be offered. Leader: Frank at (209)-962-7585, or email frank-oyung@sbcglobal.net for a reservation and more details. Sierra Club calendars will be available for purchase.

Day Hike (2A) Tomales Point (Seniors)

We will hike to the northernmost point of the Point Reyes peninsula where we should see a herd of elk.  Meet at 11th & P at 8:15 a.m. or at the Mace Blvd. Park & Ride in Davis at 8:35 a.m.  We will have dinner in Point Reyes Station after the hike.  Heavy rain cancels. Leader: Wayne Luney (916) 383-9393 or wluney@comcast.net

          November 17, Tuesday

Bike Ride (4A) Fish Hatchery to Folsom Lake

Ride up to Beal’s Point at Folsom Lake from the Fish Hatchery off Hazel Ave. and Hwy. 50, along the American River Bike Trail, which is paved. This is a moderately-paced ride of 18-20 miles, with some hills (750' elev. gain). We'll have lunch or snack at Folsom Lake then ride back down the hill. Great views of Lake Natomas and Folsom Lake. There is some optional single-track dirt on the return route. Bring lunch, water, snacks, tire kit, helmet, and fully-prepared bike, etc. Rain cancels. Meet at 10AM at the back of the Nimbus Fish Hatchery parking lot. Leader: Mike Ranta, greatstuff959@hotmail.com or 916-966-0531 (before 9PM).

Saunter Through the Muir Papers - Field Trip to the Holt-Atherton Special Collection (Yokuts)

Calling all fans of John Muir!!   We will visit the University of the Pacific, Stockton, to look at and discuss some of John Muir's collections and materials.    Michael Wurtz, Archivist at the Holt-Atherton Special Collections at the University of the Pacific, will give an introductory overview to the John Muir Papers.   Bonnie Gisel will present a 1 1/2 hour program, and is the author of Nature's Beloved Son: Rediscovering John Muir's Botanical Legacy and curator of the Sierra Club's LeConte Memorial Lodge in Yosemite National Park.   Lunch at UOP and short hike to check out Calaveras River restoration will follow.   We will leave from Modesto at 8:30 am., probable return around 3:00 pm.   Contact Yokuts leader Elaine Gorman at 209.524.7630 or goford@sbcglobal.net.   Space is limited, so call now.  

           November 18, Wednesday

Day Hike (1A) Hidden Falls Regional Park (Seniors) 

We’ll hike the newly opened trail to the new deck overlooking the Hidden Falls.  After viewing the falls, we’ll hike down to creek side pool for snack or lunch before wending our way back through forested trails.  Bring snack or lunch, water and essentials.  Meet at 9:30 a.m. at Burger King on Lincoln Way in Auburn at Foresthill Exit off I-80 or 9:45 at trailhead.  Rain cancels.  Leaders: Sheila Toner 530-886-0673 and Stephanie Williams 530-367-4905.

          November 19, Thursday

After-work Walk (1A) Litton Trail  (Sierra Nevada Group)

Come shake off the daily grind before you head home for dinner.   At 4:45 PM we will meet at the Litton Trail below the fire station on Sierra College Blvd in Grass Valley. This will be approximately 1.5 mile walk along the trail with a loop to the pond at the college, so bring a quarter to feed the fish.  Leader: Rick Ramos 530-478-1454.

          November 22, Sunday

Day Hike (3A) South Side of Bidwell Park (Yahi Group)

A 12-14 mile round trip from the end of the Annie Bidwell/South Side Trail in Upper Bidwell Park all the way to the Upper Park Ecological Reserve. We will go out on the Guardian’s Trail along the cliffs of Upper Park with great views and return on the lower South Side Trail. Bring lunch, water and comfortable shoes with tread. Meet at the trailhead at Chico Canyon Road and Falcon Pointe Drive at 9AM. Rain cancels. Leader: Alan, 530-891-8789 or ajmendoza@prodigy.net

Day Hike (2A) Second and Third Divide Trails Loop (Sierra Nevada Group) 

We will climb the Third Divide trail to the ridge and intersect the Second Divide Trail.  We then will follow Pauley Creek back.  The many spur trails will provide the opportunity to choose the right lunch spot.  Call for meeting location and time.  Carpool to trailhead.  Leader: Rick Ramos 530-478-1454

          November 26, Thursday

Cross Country Ski or Snowshoe (1A) (Yahi Group)

Ski or snowshoe followed by Thanksgiving Dinner at the Mineral Lodge. If there isn’t enough snow cover we’ll take an easy hike. Meet at Chico Park & Ride at 8:30AM. Turkey dinner in Mineral 1:30PM and return to Chico around 4:30-5PM. Cost: @$18 for dinner, plus $ for drivers. Reservations required. Call Larry, 530-342-7998 for more info.

          November 29, Sunday

Day Hike (2A/B) Below the Snow (Sierra Nevada Group)

Join Don Harkin on this 7 mile loop hike in the Salmon Lake/Lock Leven Lake/ 4 Horse Flat area.  We'll visit numerous lakes, meadows and upper montane forest.  Snow will force us into a lower, but similar area.  Meet at the Rood Center at 9:00am or the Highway 20/80 Junction about 9:45am. Carpool to trailhead.  Call about Nov. 25/26 for weather update.  Leader: Don Harkin – 530-265-4048.