BRT Insights - WW Kayaking & Hiking

Lagoon Valley Park hiking trail, Solano County, California, USA.

noreply@blogger.com (brthomas) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:51:00 +0000

JimH & I took a quick morning hike at Lagoon Valley Park near Vacaville, CA. We hiked a trail that begins at very low elevation (220 ft) and gains 750 ft of elevation over the 1.5 mile distance up to Tower 4 (see online map and pdf map below). The trail is totally exposed to the sun. Its a great cool season hike, but in summertime I'd hike there only in the earliest morning hours.

We parked at the lagoon and took the trail that goes south-east up to Tower 4. We got grand views of Lagoon Valley and the Vaca Mountains to the west. We saw a few foolish flowers of star thistle, a purple thistle and mustard still blooming on this winter day, but the scene was mostly a dry, golden brown landscape waiting for the rainy season to begin. Along the way we discovered that hiking with a gps helps ensure that you don't get lost, but suddenly you are on your own if the gps is lost. At the summit we got views of Vacaville to the east and Cement Hill to the south. Fortunately by retracing our steps on the way back we were able to relocate the "escaped" gps unit.

Lagoon Valley Park - Road map, topographic map, satellite map and pdf map.

• The tool on the left zooms in and out. Point on the red markers to see the names.
• Map user instructions. Click and drag to reposition this interactive map.
• Map=roads. Satellite=satellite map. Terrain=3D shaded topo map. Topo=topographic map.
• Full-Screen Maps - Lagoon Valley Park.
• PDF map: Lagoon Valley trail map - monticellocycling.org

Coordinates - landmark (marker).
N 38.33506 W 122.00939 - Parking 1. (A)
N 38.33521 W 122.00766 - Parking 2. (B)
N 38.33260 W 122.00950 - Parking 3. (C) (elevation 220 ft)
N 38.32651 W 122.00904 - Parking 4. (D)
N 38.33726 W 122.00332 - Tower 1. (E)
N 38.32832 W 121.99747 - Tower 2. (F)
N 38.32853 W 121.99646 - Tower 3. (G)
N 38.31907 W 121.99266 - Tower 4. (H) (elevation 968 ft)

• More photos: 2011-12-24 Lagoon Valley Park

Going Back Home.

We made our traditional stop at Betty Lou's Bar & Grill in Vacaville, CA for some dark beer, lasagna and the SF 49ers football game.

More information:
• Hiking in Solano County - Vacaville wiki.
• Hiking, Biking & Camping Trip Reports & Photos - BRT Insights.
• Canon PowerShot A490 camera. Photos edited with IrfanView software. Video edited with Windows Movie Maker and YouTube tools.

Tags: Lagoon Valley Park, hiking, trail, Vacaville CA, Solano County, California.

San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge - hiking the Tolay Creek Tubbs Island Trail

noreply@blogger.com (brthomas) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 05:03:00 +0000

Biking and hiking in Sonoma County, California, USA.

JimH & I got an early start and headed out for some biking, hiking and birding at Tubbs Island in San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The local tide chart said that low tide would be at 6:25 AM and high tide would be at 11:56 AM. Along the way we stopped at Skaggs Island Road (Napa-Sonoma Marshes Wildlife Area) (A) and found lots of ducks and shorebirds feeding on the mud flats and in shallow water. The birds were quite far from the road, so it took binoculars to see anything interesting. There were no birds in sight at the Sonoma Creek vista point (B).

Road map, topographic map and satellite map - San Pablo Bay NWR.

• The tool on the left zooms in and out. Point on the red marker to see the name.
• Click and drag to reposition this interactive map. Map user instructions.
• Map=roads. Satellite=satellite map. Terrain=3D shaded topo map. Topo=topographic map.
• Full-Screen Maps - San Pablo Bay NWR.

Coordinates - landmark.
N 38.15504 W 122.38104 - Napa-Sonoma Marshes Wildlife Area. (A)
N 38.15629 W 122.40641 - Sonoma Creek vista point. (B)
N 38.15328 W 122.43617 - Tolay Ck Tubbs Island trailhead. (C)
N 38.12180 W 122.43370 - San Pablo Bay. (D)

Tolay Ck Tubbs Island trail

We planned to bike the Tolay Ck Tubbs Island trail and stop to observe birds along the way, but that was a total failure. A very small amount of rain the previous day left the trail muddy. The incredibly sticky mud totally clogged up our bikes in less than a mile, so we dragged the bikes back to the trailhead. On a dry day the bikes would be a great way to cruise this trail looking for birds, but don't even think about it if the trail is muddy.

Hiking the trail worked a little better, but we often had globs of mud sticking to our shoes. After a little bit of unintentional wandering off of the trail, we had lunch at the fork in the trail overlooking Tubbs Island Setback. By the time we got there it was high tide and there were not any birds in sight. Then we hiked down to the shore of the bay just for the satisfaction of saying that we made it all the way out there. On our way in we had talked to a guy who was hiking out and he had seen lots of birds earlier in the morning closer to low tide. Apparently the birds come out to feed in the mudflats at low tide, so if you go there wanting to see birds be sure to check the tide tables and plan your biking/hiking accordingly. I was surprised to see the last few foolish flowers still blooming on this cool day in late November. We also saw a few groups of fishermen who were hoping to catch some striped bass in Tolay Creek.

• More photos: 2011-11-25 San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

On the Way Home.

We stopped at La Michoacana Paleteria Y Pasteleria (504 Broadway St, Vallejo, CA) to get some pastries and champurrado. Then we had dinner at Betty Lou's Bar & Grill in Vacaville, CA. The daily special was savory chicken, tamales, tomato olive Feta cheese green salad and some really great Tempranillo wine. We had some walnut pie and decaf for dessert.

For more information:
• Biking, Hiking & Camping Photos & Trip Reports - BRT Insights.
• Canon PowerShot A490 camera. Photos edited with IrfanView software.

Tags: biking, hiking, Sonoma County, San Francisco Bay Area, San Pablo Bay, National Wildlife Refuge, California.

Fall Flowers in the UCD Arboretum - Davis, California (Yolo County).

noreply@blogger.com (brthomas) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 02:17:00 +0000

I took a quick bike ride through the UC Davis Arboretum and got some more practice with my new camera. Fall leaf colors were not yet appearing on the trees, but there were lots of flowers and scenes to photograph. Just like my last trip to UCD Arboretum I started at the Teaching Nursery, Storer Garden and Oak Grove, and then I continued past the Boathouse and Lake Spafford.

Road map, topographic map and satellite map - UCD Arboretum, Davis CA.

• The tool on the left zooms in and out. Point on the red marker to see the name.
• Click and drag to reposition this interactive map. Map user instructions.
• Map=roads. Satellite=satellite map. Terrain=3D shaded topo map. Topo=topographic map.
• Full-Screen Maps - UCD Arboretum, Davis CA.

N 38.53112 W 121.76199 - UC Davis Teaching Arboretum.
N 38.52996 W 121.76259 - Storer Garden.
N 38.52938 W 121.76284 - Shields Oak Grove.
N 38.53015 W 121.75977 - Boathouse.
N 38.53742 W 121.74813 - Lake Spafford.

My new camera is doing a great job on macro setting for flower closeups.

Click on the photos to see the larger image. Use the back button to return.

• More photos: 2011-10-30 UCD Arboretum, Davis CA

I'm quite impressed with my new camera. It is much better for closeup photography than my old camera. Late October is not the peak season for colorful flowers, but the Storer Garden is still a target-rich location for photography.

For more information:
• Biking, Hiking & Camping Photos & Trip Reports - BRT Insights.
• Canon PowerShot A490 camera. Photos edited with IrfanView software. Video edited with Windows Movie Maker and YouTube tools.

Tags: UCD Arboretum, Davis CA, biking, Yolo County, Sacramento Valley, California.

Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve Homestead Trail hiking - Solano County, California USA

noreply@blogger.com (brthomas) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 04:53:00 +0000

I carpooled with WarrenW & LauraW to meet up with a group from Tuleyome. Andrew Fulks led the hike at Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve and explained some of the history of the place along the way. Tuleyome has recently acquired some land in the upper watershed and is doing some great expansions of the trail system in the area. The weather was cool and overcast with occasional light rain. This fall weather was delightful after being too hot and too dry for too many months through the summer. At the end of the long summer dry season Cold Creek was entirely dry. We hiked the Homestead Trail ~1 mile up along Cold Creek to the historic homestead, stopped for a break and then returned. Afterwards we had a great barbecue at Lake Solano County Park.

Road map, topographic map and satellite map - Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve.

Hiking the Homestead Trail at Cold Canyon.

Click on the photos to see the larger image. Use the back button to return.

• Hiking up the Cold Canyon trail.

• Last flowers of the year. California fuchsia - Epilobium canum.

Barbecuing at Lake Solano County Park.

• Barbecue at Lake Solano County Park.

• More photos: 2011-09-25 hiking at Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve.

• Previous trip report: Cold Canyon hiking and wildflowers 11april2010.

For more information:
• Calflora: Epilobium canum
• California fuchsia - calflora.net
• California Fuchsia (Epilobium canum) - ecnca.org
• Hiking, Biking & Camping Trip Reports - BRT Insights.
• California Hiking Trails - Statewide Information.
• California Maps - Atlas & Gazetteer by Delorme, 2008.
• Olympus Stylus 720SW camera. Photos edited with IrfanView software.

Tags: hiking, Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve, Cold Creek, Lake Solano County Park , Solano County, Sacramento Valley, California.
Tags: Homestead Trail, topographic map, hiking trail map.

Late Summer Flowers in the UCD Arboretum - Davis, CA.

noreply@blogger.com (brthomas) — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 06:50:00 +0000

Biking is slow if you stop to photograph all the beauty spots.

Taking a Saturday bike ride through the UCD Arboretum I was pleasantly surprised at all the late summer flowers blooming there. I started at the Teaching Nursery, Storer Garden and Oak Grove. Then I continued past the Boathouse, Lake Spafford and railroad tunnel to Ganesh Works on Olive Drive.

Road map, topographic map and satellite map - UCD Arboretum, Davis CA.

• Click and drag to reposition this interactive map. Map user instructions.
• The tool on the left zooms in and out. Point on the red marker to see the name.
• Map=roads. Satellite=satellite map. Terrain=3D shaded topo map. Topo=topographic map.
• Full-Screen Maps - UCD Arboretum, Davis CA.

N 38.53112 W 121.76199 - UC Davis Teaching Arboretum. (A)
N 38.52996 W 121.76259 - Storer Garden. (B)
N 38.52938 W 121.76284 - Shields Oak Grove. (C)
N 38.53015 W 121.75977 - Boathouse. (D)
N 38.53742 W 121.74813 - Lake Spafford. (E)
N 38.53997 W 121.74106 - Tunnel under railroad. (F)
N 38.54472 W 121.73114 - Ganesh Works. (G)

Click on the photos to see the larger image. Use the back button to return.

More photos: 2011-09-17 UCD Arboretum, Davis CA

For more information:
• Biking, Hiking & Camping Trip Reports - BRT Insights.
• Canon PowerShot A490 camera. Photos edited with IrfanView software.

Tags: biking, UCD Arboretum, Davis CA, Yolo County, Sacramento Valley, California.

Videos vs. Photos for Documenting Outdoor Adventure Trips

noreply@blogger.com (brthomas) — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 23:22:00 +0000

Capturing Landscape and Action in Movies and Photographs.

After years of ignoring the video capability in my digital camera I have started to appreciate how videos can add to the memories preserved from my hiking, kayaking, biking and other outdoor activities. Videos are especially great when the subject is in motion (kayakers, rivers, waterfalls, etc.). Still photos will always be great for still subjects like mountains, trees, lakes, etc. Panoramic photography can capture a wide view of a scene into a still photo, but panning a video camera across a wide scene can also do a nice job of documenting a wide scene. An additional benefit is that the video camera can adjust the exposure when panning across a wide scene that includes very bright areas and very shady areas. Some digital cameras have a microphone that will capture a soundtrack within the video to add even more to the information captured. The short, low quality video clips that our digital cameras can produce are not as good as a videocam could make. The light weight and convenience of getting both photos and videos from one small gadget are especially helpful when choosing how much weight you want to carry around with you on outdoor trips. The videos from the digital camera in your pocket are always better than the videos that cannot be taken using equipment that you left at home!

Tools for Editing and Posting Personal Movie Videos Online

Video Format Conversions. Video files may need to be converted into various formats to satisfy the requirements of the camera hardware, editing software and online hosting system that you decide to use.
• Zamzar - Free online file conversion (e.g. converts .mov or .mp4 to .avi format)

Video Editing. Software and online tools for video editing enable us to cut and splice our videos, and then add titles and soundtracks. Still pictures imported into a video editor can be assembled into slideshow videos.
• Windows Movie Maker (software for PC)
• iMovie (software for Mac)
• YouTube Video Editor - AudioSwap songs library - YouTube Help.
• Animoto - Video Slideshow Maker with Music (online tool)
• Picasa (software for PC/Mac) photos made into slideshow movie.

Video Hosting. To display your videos on the internet upload them to your account at a video hosting service. Video hosts typically provide the html code needed to embed your video in any blog or other website.
• YouTube - enables soundtracks to be added from their library of licensed music.
• vimeo
• Myspace Video
• videos can also be hosted at many of the photo sharing sites (Picasa, flickr, webshots, etc.)

Making DVD movie discs to play in TVs. DVD data discs and video file formats used in the computer are not suitable for playing in the DVD player that may be attached to your TV. Special software is used to convert the video file and create the DVD disc format needed for viewing on a TV.
• DVD Flick (software for PC)
• iDVD (software for Mac)

More video information:
• Reviews - Books, Videos, Websites & Software - BRT Insights.

IceRocket Tags: landscape photography, action photography.
Tags: travel, music, video, movie, outdoors, photography.

Cactus in bloom at Cactus Corner, Davis, California - Yolo County USA.

noreply@blogger.com (brthomas) — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 03:29:00 +0000

I went biking out to Cactus Corner to get some exercise, fresh air and sunshine. Although I thought the cactus bloom would be already finished I brought my camera just in case. And I was lucky to find the last few cactus flowers still blooming. The light at 11 AM was not ideal for photography, so maybe I'll go back there tomorrow at an earlier hour to get more photos.

Road map, topographic map and satellite map - Cactus Corner, Davis CA.

• More photos: 2011-07-03 Cactus Corner, Davis CA

On the way home I biked down the Avenue of Trees on Russell Blvd. I stopped at Trader Joe's to get a watermelon to help me survive the 100 degree weather we are having.

For more information:
• Biking, Hiking & Camping Trip Reports - BRT Insights.
• Olympus Stylus 720SW camera. Photos edited with IrfanView software.

Tags: biking, Davis CA, Sacramento Valley, Yolo County, California.

Battle Creek Salmon and Steelhead Restoration Project update - Shasta County & Tehama County, California USA.

noreply@blogger.com (brthomas) — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 21:19:00 +0000

(updated 26june2011)

Removal of 5 dams and installation of fish ladders on 4 other dams is intended to improve habitat for endangered salmon.

"Here at Battle Creek, an icy stream that tumbles off Mount Lassen, state and federal agencies are spending $128 million to bring endangered salmon back to 48 miles of water blocked by dams for nearly a century. At the same time, another arm of state government is allowing clear-cut logging on thousands of acres just upstream, which some scientists say could jeopardize the costly restoration project." (Troubled waters of Battle Creek - Sacramento Bee 19june2011)

Excessive clear-cut logging results in soil erosion that destroys the fish habitat in Battle Creek.

"By law, the cumulative impacts of similar logging projects in the same area must be analyzed, but this has been circumvented by using a subwatershed system, breaking the part of the watershed that SPI owns into smaller areas using the tributaries of Battle Creek, even though they all flow into Battle Creek. This is the basis of the misuse and avoidance of the laws and rules that, on paper, were supposed to stop excessive clear-cutting from happening." (Marily Woodhouse, Battle Creek Alliance)

"by subdividing the watershed into 9 subwatersheds each of the 16 timber harvest plans has been evaluated as if it were the only project. This is illegal as well as ecologically disastrous." (thebattlecreekalliance.org)

"California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has been allowing Sierra Pacific Industries to clear-cut thousands of acres in the Battle Creek watershed. Scientists have found evidence that logging is contributing to erosion that has degraded spawning grounds in the creek. While Cal Fire officials say they've worked to buffer the creek from any logging sediment, they haven't yet analyzed the cumulative impacts of all the various clear cuts." (Editorial: Governor needs to keep pledge at Battle Creek - Sacramento Bee 21june2011)

" 'It makes no sense to be both restoring and destroying a river all at the same time – and at taxpayer expense,' said Glen Spain, regional director of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermens Associations, a commercial fishing group and longtime supporter of the dam removals. .... The logging, under way mainly on land owned by Sierra Pacific Industries, complies with state law. But it occurs at a time when the state Department of Fish and Game no longer monitors affects on wildlife and aquatic habitat due to budget reductions and job cuts." (Groups ask Jerry Brown to protect Battle Creek watershed - Sacramento Bee 24june2011.)

Road map, topographic map and satellite map - Battle Creek watershed.

• Click and drag to reposition this interactive map. Map user instructions.
• The tool on the left zooms in and out. Point on the red markers to see their names.
• Map=roads. Satellite=satellite map. Terrain=3D shaded topo map. Topo=topographic map.
• Full-Screen Maps - Battle Creek Restoration Project.

Geographic coordinates - landmark name (red marker on map).
N 40.51806 W 121.67667 - Viola, CA (A)
- click on Satellite button and zoom in to see clear cut areas.
N 40.43516 W 121.86999 - Manton, CA (B)
N 40.41977 W 121.96060 - Wildcat Dam (C)
N 40.39572 W 121.88370 - Inskip Dam (D)
N 40.40095 W 121.96884 - Coleman Dam (E)
N 40.40199 W 122.12952 - Dam (F)
N 40.39781 W 122.14600 - Coleman Fish Hatchery (G)

Previous posts at BRT Insights:
• Dam Removal and Salmon Restoration on Battle Creek, California - BRT Insights 30aug2008.
• Dam Removal on Battle Creek could help reverse our salmon crisis - BRT Insights 31march2008.

For more information:
• Battle Creek Watershed Conservancy - Salmon & Steelhead Restoration Project.
• US Bureau of Reclamation - Battle Creek Salmon and Steelhead Restoration Project.
• Battle Creek Alliance.
• California Department of Fish and Game.
• National Marine Fisheries Service Southwest Region - Salmon & Steelhead.
• California River Conservation & Water Supply Policy.
• Battle Creek Directory - Recreation & Conservation. Websites for the Battle Creek watershed. Display options - alphabetical 100. See section 1=kayaking-canoeing, 2=rafting-tubing, 3=environment-conservation, 4=fishing, 5=hiking-camping, 6=other-resources.

Tags: river, dam removal, habitat, environment, river map, river guide, clear-cut, timber harvest.
Tags: salmon, steelhead, dam removal, river restoration, Battle Creek, Shasta County, Tehama County, California.

Muir Woods National Monument - Walk in the Redwood Forest Cathedral - Marin County California USA.

noreply@blogger.com (brthomas) — Sun, 29 May 2011 23:17:00 +0000

Steve Eulberg produced this fabulous music video slideshow with powerful quotes from the writings of John Muir. The elegant mountain dulcimer music soundtrack (Owl Mountain Music) sets the mood for a virtual walk through one of nature's greatest cathedrals.

"In wilderness lies the hope of the world." John Muir.

For more information:
• Muir Woods National Monument - hiking to see the redwood trees - BRT Insights 24dec2010.
• Trailheads and map for Muir Woods National Monument - BRT Insights 26april2011.
• Muir Woods National Monument - San Francisco Wiki.
• Hiking, Camping and Biking Trip Reports - BRT Insights.
• California Hiking Trails - Statewide Information.
• California Maps - Atlas & Gazetteer by Delorme, 2008.

IceRocket Tags: Muir Woods National Monument, hiking, trails, Mill Valley CA, Marin County, San Francisco Bay Area, California.
Tags: redwood trees, travel, music, video, outdoors, photography, landscape photography, mountain dulcimer.

Summer Salmon Institute 2011 - Environmental Education Training Workshop - Marin County, California USA.

noreply@blogger.com (brthomas) — Sat, 28 May 2011 16:19:00 +0000

SPAWN's Second Annual Summer Salmon Institute for K-12 Teachers - July 18 - 22, 2011

• For more information see: Summer Salmon Institute 2011 - organized by SPAWN.

• SPAWN's FREE Summer Salmon Institute Highlights the Connection of Local Watersheds to Ocean Health.

• A continuing professional development program in environmental education for K-12 teachers.

Contact: Carrie Sendak
Watershed Biologist
Salmon Institute Coordinator
(415) 663-8590 ext 109
carrie@spawnusa.org

Salmon Protection And Watershed Network
PO Box 400 . Forest Knolls, CA 94933
Ph. 415.488.0370 . Fax 415.488.0372
(www.SpawnUSA.org)

For Immediate Release: May 25, 2011

Marin County, CA- The Salmon Protection and Watershed Network (SPAWN) is offering a unique professional development training in partnership with NOAA's Bay-Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program to teachers throughout the San Francisco Bay area for a second year. Focused on salmon as the connection between oceans and inland watersheds, the Summer Salmon Institute combines expert instructors with standards-based curriculum to provide teachers the skills and tools to connect students to their watersheds year-round.

A large, threatened Steelhead smolt getting measured before it heads out from Lagunitas Creek to the ocean.

The Summer Salmon Institute consists of a FREE, five-day workshop from July 18-22, 2011. Teachers can also choose to earn up to 3.5 Continuing Education Units (CEU) from an accredited university (Dominican University of California) and stipends are available for educators working in Title One schools.

Classroom and field training are located in beautiful West Marin and include exploring creeks, redwoods, and other wild places within the Lagunitas Creek Watershed. This year the Institute welcomes back several participants from last year to have in-depth discussions about how they implemented watershed experiences for their students. Presentations with natural resource professionals from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Park Service, Marin County Open Space, and Tomales Bay Watershed Council will share expertise in marine and fisheries biology, watershed restoration, and water quality and conservation. Field training in restoration techniques, native plant identification, rainwater harvesting and constructing rain gardens, aquatic invertebrate monitoring, and performing salmon audits at your school will be administered each afternoon. In-depth, standards-based curriculum materials will be distributed daily with a focus on ocean ecology, the natural history of coho salmon, and how water and land-use practices affect the health of inland watershed and coastal marine ecosystems. Last year's Institute was a huge success and brought over 30 teachers and environmental educators from the Klamath to the San Lorenzo Rivers together to learn about salmon conservation. "I was so inspired by the institute leaders and their dedication to such a cause, it's motivating for me to bring the ideas back to my school and community" said John Sierra, high school teacher and one of last year's Institute participants.

2010 Salmon Institute participants learning about water quality on San Geronimo Creek, the only undammed headwaters of Lagunitas creek and home of up to 50% of the Coho spawners found in the watershed.

"The Salmon Institute supports teachers in drawing the connections for students between our watersheds and ocean ecosystems and trains teachers in effective salmon and watershed restoration and monitoring techniques" said Carrie Sendak, SPAWN's Watershed Biologist and Institute coordinator. "It will focus on salmon as the headwaters to sea connection but will also provide educators with the tools to develop their own "Meaningful Watershed Experience" to students in their own watersheds. Between the field training and classroom lectures, the Institute will provide an in-depth experience of the issues and actions needed to improve watersheds, oceans, and salmon."

Salmon populations are in peril throughout the Pacific Coast. Coho salmon along the Central Coast of California are listed as federally endangered under the Endangered Species Act and have become extinct throughout the majority of coastal streams. The Institute will take place in the Lagunitas Creek Watershed in Marin County, just 25 miles from San Francisco, which supports the largest remaining population of the endangered Coho. "Teachers will have an opportunity to view first-hand healthy habitat the salmon need, and also the real threats that are threatening their survival, while learning ways to create experiential learning opportunities for their students in their own watersheds, said Sendak.

The Lagunitas Creek watershed in Marin County contains some of the best remaining spawning and rearing habitat for coho salmon and is just 20 miles north of San Francisco. SPAWN has led habitat restoration, watershed monitoring, environmental education, and grassroots action in this watershed for over ten years.

To receive registration information for the Summer Salmon Institute or get involved with any of the many volunteer activities, contact Carrie Sendak at (415) 663-8590 x109 during weekday business hours or visit Salmon Institute 2011.

* There is a fee for continuing education credits and is paid directly to Dominican University.

"I am an anadromous fish, I only have the wish, To swim with the whales,
Come back with my scales, And still have a tail to swish!"
- By Brandon, Quail Hollow Elementary

Carrie Sendak
Watershed Biologist
Salmon Protection and Watershed Network, SPAWN
9255 Sir Frances Drake Blvd.
Olema, CA 94950
phone: 415-663-8590, ext.109

More about:
• Salmon Spawning in Lagunitas Creek, Marin County CA - BRT Insights.
• Coho Salmon at Samuel P. Taylor State Park - SF Wiki.

IceRocket Tags: environment, education, conservation, Lagunitas CA, Marin County, California.
Tags: teacher, training, workshop, k-12, coho salmon, Lagunitas Creek, San Geronimo Creek.

Hot Therapy vs. Cold Therapy for Treating Minor Injuries from Kayaking, Hiking and Other Sports Activities.

noreply@blogger.com (brthomas) — Mon, 23 May 2011 20:17:00 +0000

Effective treatment of the minor injuries that occur occasionally in any sport is critical to allow us to continue enjoying our favorite activities.

"In general, a new injury will cause inflammation and possibly swelling. Ice will decrease the blood flow to the injury, thereby decreasing inflammation and swelling. Pain that recurs can be treated with heat, which will bring blood to the area and promote healing." When to Use Hot and Cold Therapy - CNN Health 04mar2011.

It is also important to listen to your body and make good decisions about when to rest, when to resume fitness training after an injury, when to use anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain, and when to seek advanced help from a doctor or a physical therapist.

For more information:
• Fitness for kayaking, hiking and outdoor sports activities - BRT Insights.

Tags: fitness, outdoor sports, endurance sports.
IceRocket Tags: sports injury, cold therapy, hot therapy, promote healing.

Alamere Falls, Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, California USA

noreply@blogger.com (brthomas) — Sat, 14 May 2011 19:57:00 +0000

Driving to Palomarin Trailhead at Point Reyes National Seashore.

Point Reyes National Seashore is a great place to hike for coastal scenery and brisk coastal fresh air. (Map, driving directions, driving time.) (Hiking map.) Bolinas, CA is hiding in plain sight in a vortex of the time-space continuum. Its a hard place to find unless you know exactly where to look. The nice lady's voice in the dashboard gps directed us unerringly through Bolinas, CA and on to the trailhead. Driving along Mesa Road we passed the trailhead for the Ridge Trail and the Point Reyes Bird Observatory on our way to the Palomarin Trailhead. Considering it was a Friday, I was quite surprised to see about a dozen cars parked at the trailhead when we got there.

Hiking & Driving Map - Point Reyes National Seashore.

Hiking the Coast Trail from the Palomarin Trailhead to see wildflowers and waterfalls.

Palomarin Trailhead is the starting point for hiking an excellent section of the Coast Trail at Point Reyes National Seashore. The trail starts along the coast, cuts inland and passes through the Lake Ranch area and beautiful Bass Lake. This trail goes through a delightful variety of terrain. There are sunny sections and long distant views of the scenery interspersed with many sections in deep dark forests of eucalyptus, conifers, etc. Along the trail we passed various people including some horseback riders and a nudist, possibly hiking out to skinny dip at Bass Lake. The trail is wide enough for 2 or 3 people to walk side-by-side most of the way. Beware of poison oak which is common all along the trail.

• Southerly view to Bolinas Point.

• More BRT photos from Point Reyes National Seashore, Coast Trail & Alamere Falls.

• Point Reyes Coast Trail to Alamere Falls - map, photos & trip report by ElRemaro.

Click on Statistics Mode to see our hiking speed, elevation and distance traveled.

We had ideal hiking weather that was brisk and breezy with temperatures in the 50s. See below for the current weather and forecast:

Alamere Falls is a beauty spot !!

Then we turned off the Coast Trail and followed the official sign pointing us to an "unmaintained trail" down to the coast at Alamere Falls. The final rocky scramble to get down to the beach has a couple of tricky spots. Good shoes and careful climbing technique will be sufficient to enable most people to reach the beach to get the best views of the waterfall. At high tide there will be little or no beach for walking below the falls. If possible plan your hike to arrive at Alamere Falls at or near a period of low tide. (Tides at Bolinas Lagoon.)

• Upper cascades on Alamere Creek.

• Alamere Falls.

Food & Drink.

To stay hydrated while hiking I drank my homemade sports drink recipe made with Northlands Superfruits juice. We tested competing brands of granola bars (FiberPlus vs. Fiber One) and found them both quite good.

On the way home we had some lowfat chocolate milk muscle recovery drink. What a fine excuse to drink something that tastes pretty great! We stopped at Betty Lou's, our favorite sports bar in Vacaville, CA. We got the daily special which was an excellent baked chicken with rosemary garlic potatoes. We also sampled some handcrafted microbrews and watched the basketball playoffs on the big screen HDTV.

For more information:
• Waterfall Hiking Trails in California - websites.
• Hiking Trails in California - Statewide Information.
• Hiking Trails Trip Reports - BRT Insights.
• California Maps - Atlas & Gazetteer by Delorme, 2008.

IceRocket Tags: Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, Bolinas CA, California, northern California, hiking, trail.
Tags: topographic map, wildflowers, waterfalls, photography, landscape photography.

Coho Salmon Winter Spawning Run in Lagunitas Creek at Samuel P. Taylor State Park, Marin County, California USA.

noreply@blogger.com (brthomas) — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 05:46:00 +0000

The winter spawning run of coho salmon can be viewed at Samuel P. Taylor State Park.

The largest remaining run of Central California Coho Salmon

"The largest remaining run of Central California coho is found in the Bay Area, in Marin County's Lagunitas watershed." Coho Salmon in West Marin County - Bay Nature Institute

Coho Salmon jumping up Inkwells Falls on San Geronimo Creek. Picture by Paola Bouley.

"SPAWN, the Salmon Protection And Watershed Network works to protect (the) endangered salmon in the Lagunitas Watershed and the environment on which we all depend." Salmon Protection And Watershed Network

"The Lagunitas Creek Watershed (LCW), located in west Marin County, California currently supports California's largest wild population of Central Coast coho salmon and at least its second largest population of steelhead trout. It has been identified as one of the most important waterways left for wild California coho, federally listed as endangered." The Coho of Lagunitas Creek Watershed - SPAWN

Plan your trip to see the Coho Salmon Run in Lagunitas Creek

Carrie Sendak, Watershed Biologist at Salmon Protection and Watershed Network, said that the Coho Salmon run in Lagunitas Creek goes from "mid-November to mid-January typically, with peak two weeks (during the) last week of December (through the) first week of January."

1. At the start of our winter rainy season it takes a few rainstorms to get enough water flowing in Lagunitas Creek to enable the fish to make their way upstream to the spawning grounds.

Real-time flow data for Lagunitas Creek.
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USGS Real-Time Water Data for Lagunitas Ck at SPTaylor St Pk

2. During and immediately after a rainstorm the creek will be cloudy with silt. The best time for fish viewing is 2 or more days after the last significant rainstorm. Check the recent local rainfall at Lagunitas, CA and the local weather forecast to help decide when to plan your trip to see the salmon run.

3. Call the SPAWN office (415-663-8590) for up-to-date information about when the salmon spawning run is occurring.

Map of Locations for Viewing the Salmon Run

• Instructions for online interactive topographic river maps & road maps.
• Click on Map button for road map, Topo button for topographic map.
• Full-Screen Lagunitas Creek Map - landmarks in and near Samuel P. Taylor State Park.
• Names of landmarks (A, B, etc.) - DoubleClick or point on the red markers.

Geographic coordinates - Landmark name (marker on map above)
N 38.08485 W 122.82887 - salmon leave Tomales Bay and enter Lagunitas Creek (A)
N 38.02981 W 122.73612 - Devil's Gulch Trail in Samuel P. Taylor State Park (B)
N 38.01899 W 122.73316 - North Creek Trail in Samuel P. Taylor State Park (C)
N 38.00450 W 122.70875 - Shafter Bridge over Lagunitas Creek (D)
N 38.00479 W 122.70868 - Inkwells Falls - entrance to San Geronimo Creek (E)

More about:
• California Coho Salmon at risk of Extinction - Bay Nature 23dec2010.
• Viewing Coho Salmon at Samuel P. Taylor State Park - nps.gov.
• Summer Salmon Institute 2011 - Environmental Education Training Workshop.
• Samuel P. Taylor State Park
• Samuel P. Taylor State Park - KQED QUEST Defective website - must be viewed with Internet Explorer.
• Samuel P. Taylor State Park hiking - BRT Insights
• California Hiking Trails Directory.
• Hiking & Camping Trip Reports - BRT Insights.
• California Maps - Atlas & Gazetteer by Delorme, 2008.

IceRocket Tags: hiking, trail, Samuel P Taylor State Park, Lagunitas CA, Marin County, California.
Tags: coho salmon, Lagunitas Creek, San Geronimo Creek.

Trailheads for Muir Woods National Monument - Marin County, northern California USA.

noreply@blogger.com (brthomas) — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 21:29:00 +0000

Road maps, driving directions, & trail maps for planning your trip to Muir Woods.

Most visitors to Muir Woods National Monument enter via the main entrance at the Visitor Center (near Mill Valley, CA). See my trip report: Hiking to see the redwood trees at Muir Woods National Monument 24dec2010 and Steve Eulberg's music video Muir Woods Redwood Forest Cathedral.

Muir Woods is entirely surrounded by Mount Tamalpais State Park, so State Park trailheads can also be used as alternate starting points for access to Muir Woods.

Map of trailheads in and around Muir Woods National Monument.

• Map user FAQ. The map is interactive. Click and drag to reposition map.
• The tool on the left zooms in and out. Point at the red markers to see their names.
• Buttons: Map = road map. Terrain = 3D shaded topo map. Topo = topographic map.
• Full-Screen Map: Muir Woods National Monument and Mount Tamalpais State Park.

Geographic coordinates - Landmarks (elevation)
N 37.89392 W 122.57313 - Muir Woods Visitor Center (elevation 200 ft.)
N 37.90999 W 122.57721 - Mountain Home trailhead (elevation 925 ft.)
N 37.90845 W 122.60292 - Bootjack Picnic Area (elevation 1460 ft.)
N 37.90364 W 122.60425 - Pantoll Ranger Station (elevation 1500 ft.)

• "The Mountain Home Trailhead is one of the back doors to Muir Woods, as well as one of the easiest trailheads to reach on Mount Tam." (Bay Area Hiker: Mountain Home-Muir Woods Loop)

• Muir Woods via the Bootjack Trail - tommangan everytrail "The out-and-back hike along the Bootjack Trail, plus a couple miles of wandering at the Monument, should yield about six miles of heaven under the big trees."

• "There are two drive-in picnic areas on Mt. Tam: Bootjack Picnic Area and East Peak Picnic Area. Both sites have picnic tables, rest rooms, and running water." (Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy :: Mount Tamalpais)

• "Maps available (for a fee) at the Pantoll Ranger Station. Restrooms, water, and pay phone next to ranger station." (Bay Area Hiker: Pantoll Trailhead, Mount Tamalpais)

• Muir Woods Trail Map pdf - National Park Service. This simple map may be helpful for planning your trip and guiding you along the trails as you hike.

• Mapquest - Muir Woods National Monument. Road map and driving directions.

More about hiking trails in California:
• California Hiking Trails Directory - Statewide Information.
• California Maps - Atlas & Gazetteer by Delorme, 2008.

IceRocket Tags: Muir Woods National Monument, Mount Tamalpais State Park, hiking, Marin County, Mill Valley CA, California.
Tags: travel, outdoors, redwood trees, photography, landscape photography.

American River Canyon Hikes - trail guides for Auburn State Recreation Area - book review.

noreply@blogger.com (brthomas) — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 03:30:00 +0000

Hiking in the Canyons of the North Fork and Middle Fork American River - Placer County, El Dorado County, California, USA

"Our objective is to help the reader select a route for hiking, cycling or riding among those included in this volume. We provide specific directions to the trailhead and parking and what you may expect to encounter in terms of trail length (distance and time), difficulty and slope. A graphic profile of the elevation change for each trail, along with an easy to read map, allow the reader to easily orient himself or herself. .... A brief trail description is followed by a more detailed account of the notable features of each trail in terms of history, flora and other features."

This great little booklet provides very thorough descriptions of 21 hiking trails in Auburn State Recreation Area north-east of Auburn, CA. Purchase the booklet from any of the local stores listed on the ASRA Canyon Keepers website. Overall, I rate "American River Canyon Hikes" as an excellent resource for hiking in Auburn State Recreation Area (SRA) (**** 4 stars out of 5).

Trailheads in the American River Canyon - Driving & Hiking Map.

• The map is interactive. Click and drag to reposition map. Map user FAQ.
• Point on the red markers to see their names. Use the tool on the left to zoom in and out.
• Map=roads. Satellite=satellite map. Terrain=3D shaded topo. Topo=topographic map.
• Full-Screen Road and Hiking Map: Auburn State Recreation Area.

Geographic coordinates - Hiking Trail name.
N 38.91428 W 120.92821 - American Canyon Trail (A)
N 38.98250 W 120.98436 - Applegate to Lake Clementine Trail (B)
N 38.91685 W 121.03655 - Clarks Hole Trail (C)
N 39.00006 W 120.94020 - Codfish Falls Trail (D)
N 38.92283 W 121.01320 - Culvert Trail (E)
N 38.95464 W 120.96831 - Foresthill Divide Loop Trail (F)
N 38.93291 W 121.01174 - Fuel Break Trail (G)
N 39.04052 W 120.90231 - Indian Creek Trail (H)
N 38.93498 W 121.00342 - Lake Clementine Access Trail (I)
N 38.91655 W 121.03526 - Lake Clementine Trail (J)
N 38.93331 W 121.01106 - Lakeview Connector Trail (K)
N 38.88695 W 121.01613 - Olmstead Loop Trail (L)
N 38.90969 W 121.04984 - Park HQ to Confluence Trail (M)
N 38.91516 W 121.04043 - Pointed Rocks Trail (N)
N 38.91222 W 121.03505 - Quarry Road Trail (O)
N 38.90733 W 121.04874 - Robie Point Firebreak Trail (P)
N 38.91692 W 121.03622 - Stagecoach Trail (Q)
N 39.10485 W 120.94782 - Stevens Trail (R)
N 38.91648 W 121.03964 - Tinkers Cut Off Trail (S)
N 38.91638 W 121.04354 - Upper Stagecoach Trail (T)
N 39.09025 W 120.92104 - Windy Point Trail (U)

American River Canyon Recreation & Conservation.

• American River NF & MF Conservation & Recreation Directory. (Set display options alphabetical 100. 1=whitewater, 2=rafting, 3=conservation, 4=fishing, 5=camping-hiking, 6=local-info)
• Some sections of American River NF are protected within the USA National Wild & Scenic Rivers Program.

See also:
• The American River: North, Middle & South Forks, 1989 - book review. More hiking trail information.
• Reviews - Books, Videos, and Websites - BRT Insights.
• California Maps - Atlas & Gazetteer by Delorme, 2008.
• California Hiking Trails Directory - BRT Insights.

IceRocket Tags: Auburn State Recreation Area, Auburn SRA, northern California, American River, hiking, trail, Auburn CA, Placer County, El Dorado County, California.
Tags: travel, walking, hiking, book, book review.

Hidden Falls Regional Park hiking trails, Placer County, California USA.

noreply@blogger.com (brthomas) — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 19:23:00 +0000

Multiuse trails near Auburn, CA for hiking, mountainbiking, horseback riding and dog walking.

Jim & I went hiking at Hidden Falls Regional Park to see what this little local park has to offer. (Map, driving directions, driving time.) (Hiking map.) The trails were well designed and well maintained except for a few mushy spots that need some regrading to drain water off the trail more efficiently. The trails are multiuse and on this weekday we saw one horse and a few dogs taking their owners out for walks, but no mountainbikers. The trail system winds and loops throughout the property with signs and maps posted at every junction. There are enough ups and downs to make the trails interesting, but nothing was more than moderately strenuous.

Hiking & Driving Map - Hidden Falls Regional Park.

• The map is interactive. Click and drag to reposition map. Map user FAQ.
• Use the tool on the left to zoom in and out. Point on the red markers to see their names.
• Map=roads. Satellite=satellite map. Terrain=3D shaded topo. Topo=topographic map.
• Full-Screen Road and Hiking Map: Hidden Falls Regional Park.

Geographic coordinates - landmark name.
N 38.95826 W 121.16620 - Trailhead (elevation 1080 ft)
N 38.96438 W 121.16871 - Dead Man Creek bridge (elevation 690 ft)
N 38.96602 W 121.17804 - Hidden Falls (elevation 580 ft)
N 38.96919 W 121.16549 - Seven Pools vista point (elevation 740 ft)

After a period of rain the plants were green with new growth, wildflowers were blooming and the creeks were flowing nicely. We found edible plants such as miner's lettuce and manzanita blossoms.

Doubleclick on the photos to see the large version; use the back button to return.

• Wildflowers along the trail.

Hidden Falls waterfall on Dead Man Creek is the main attraction !!

• Hiking along Coon Creek near the Seven Pools Area was also very nice.

More photos:
• 2011-03-29 Hidden Falls Regional Park photos by BRT & JH.
• GPS track, photos and trip report from Hidden Falls Regional Park by JH.

My new hiking boots were cheap on sale at Big 5 Sporting Goods. They passed the day 1 test, but only time will tell if they last long enough to make the cheap price really a bargain.

On the way home we stopped for some good food & drink at Auburn Alehouse in the old town section of Auburn, CA. We got glasses of Imperial IPA and Irish Dry Stout, both excellent and unique beers!

For more information:
• Waterfall Hiking Trails in California - websites.
• Hiking, Camping and Biking Trip Reports - BRT Insights.
• California Hiking Trails - Statewide Information.
• California Maps - Atlas & Gazetteer by Delorme, 2008.

IceRocket Tags: Hidden Falls Regional Park, Placer County, Auburn CA, California, northern California, hiking, mountainbiking, dog walking, horseback riding.
Tags: photography, landscape photography, wildflowers, waterfalls.

Return to North Table Mountain to see Coal Canyon Falls, Butte County, California USA.

noreply@blogger.com (brthomas) — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 23:20:00 +0000

Coal Canyon is gorgeous and the waterfall is breathtaking!!

(27feb2011) It was necessary to go right back! We were on a mission because our previous hike to Table Mountain was cut short by the shocking failure of my not-so-old hiking boots.

Hiking Map - North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve, Butte County, near Oroville, California.

• Map user instructions. The map is interactive. Click and drag to reposition map.
• Point on the red markers to see their names. Use the tool on the left to zoom in and out.
• Map=roads. Satellite=satellite map. Terrain=3D shaded topo. Topo=topographic map.
• Full-Screen Map: North Table Mountain access road and hiking area.

Geographic coordinates - landmark name.
N 39.52409 W 121.55865 - Cherokee Rd, Oroville, California (elevation 342 ft) (A)
N 39.59555 W 121.54164 - DFG Public Parking (elevation 1320 ft) (B)
N 39.60379 W 121.55756 - Ravine Twin Falls (C)
N 39.61055 W 121.56067 - Coal Canyon Fall (D)
N 39.60870 W 121.56115 - Little Coal Canyon Falls (E)

N 39.20582 W 121.82057 - Sutter Buttes (elevation 2117 ft) (F)
N 39.38334 W 122.75213 - Snow Mountain (elevation 7056 ft) (G)
N 39.43447 W 122.69347 - St John Mountain (elevation 6746 ft) (H)
N 40.18611 W 121.37556 - Ruffa Ridge (elevation 7000 ft) (I)

There were noticeably more wildflowers blooming than we had seen at
Table Mountain the previous week.

• JimH at Coal Canyon. View of Snow Mountain and St John Mountain to the west.

Coal Canyon Falls is the star attraction !!

• To better appreciate the size of the waterfall notice the hikers on the rim to the right of the falls. (DoubleClick on the photo to see the large version - use the back button to return.)

More photos, map and video:
• Table Mountain 2 - Hiking trip - EveryTrail - ElRemaro 27feb2011.
• 2011-02-27 Table Mountain photos by BRT.
• Coal Canyon Falls, Table Mountain video.

The high-top gym shoes that I wore as temporary replacements for hiking boots felt fine at the start of the day, but my feet were suffering long before the end of our hike on this rocky, rugged terrain.

On the way home we stopped in Marysville, CA to eat. The dashboard navigation failed to hook us up with any good looking restaurants. We ended up making a quick stop at Jimboy's Tacos. The food there was pretty good, pretty fast and we got back on the road.

For more information:
• Wildflowers of Table Mountain, Butte County, California - book report.
• Waterfalls of North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve, Butte County, CA.
• North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve hiking to see waterfalls and wildflowers 20feb2011.
• Waterfall Hiking Trails in California - websites.
• Hiking, Camping and Biking Trip Reports - BRT Insights.
• California Hiking Trails - Statewide Information.
• California Maps - Atlas & Gazetteer by Delorme, 2008.

IceRocket Tags: North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve, hiking, Butte County, Oroville CA, California, northern California.
Tags: wildflowers, waterfalls, photography, landscape photography.

Wildflowers of Table Mountain, Butte County, California - book report.

noreply@blogger.com (brthomas) — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 20:08:00 +0000

Samantha Mackey and Albin Bills describe the wildflowers and waterfalls that make North Table Mountain such a special place!

"Table Mountain is a prominent landmark in Butte County, located on the eastern margin of the Sacramento Valley between the towns of Oroville to the south, and Chico to the north. Its distinctive form catches the eye - and elevated tabletop with steep cliffs, set against the rounded hills of the northern Sierra Nevada".

"To the uninitiated, a flower walk on Table Mountain can be an overwhelming experience. There are so many flowers! We seek to ease the burden by profiling approximately 60 of the common, showy species in bloom during the popular springtime viewing season. To broaden your view, we also describe the mountain's geologic and cultural history, ecology, and wildlife you might encounter along the way."

Wildflowers of Table Mountain is a great little book to increase your enjoyment of any trip to North Table Mountain (near Oroville, CA). Brief descriptions of the geology and ecology help explain why North Table Mountain is so great for viewing waterfalls and wildflowers. The wildflower identification main section of the is divided by blossom color, but the illustrations are in black and white. This keeps down the cost of the book, but I'll have to see if the b-w drawings are sufficient for flower identification on my next trip there. The book shows locations of three main waterfalls at Table Mountain. Coal Canyon Falls is especially awesome, so be sure to see it!!

There are no trails, so bring your map, compass and cross-country hiking skills. The rolling hills and valleys that cut into the top of Table Mountain provide lots of opportunites to get temporarily lost and bewildered if you don't pay attention to where you are and where you are going.

• Wildflowers of Table Mountain book - csuchico.edu. Order the book directly from Herbarium, California State University, Chico or from local booksellers.

• North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve hiking to see waterfalls and wildflowers 23feb2011.
• Waterfalls of North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve 26feb2011.

See also:
• Return to North Table Mountain to see Coal Canyon Falls 27feb2011.
• Waterfalls of North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve, Butte County, CA.
• North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve hiking to see waterfalls and wildflowers 20feb2011.
• Waterfall Hiking Trails in California - websites.
• Hiking to Waterfalls in California - books.
• Waterfall Trails in Northern California USA.
• Reviews - Books, Videos, and Websites - BRT Insights.

IceRocket Tags: North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve, northern California, hiking, trail, wildflowers, waterfall, Oroville CA, Butte County, California.
Tags: travel, walking, hiking, photography, landscape photography.

Waterfalls of North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve, Butte County, California USA.

noreply@blogger.com (brthomas) — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 04:57:00 +0000

Plot your own cross-country hiking route to see the waterfalls.

North Table Mountain Waterfall Map (near Oroville, CA).

• The map is interactive. Click and drag to reposition map. Map user instructions.
• Use the tool on the left to zoom in and out. Point on the red markers to see their names.
• Map=roads. Satellite=satellite map. Terrain=3D shaded topo map. Topo=topographic map.
• Full-Screen Waterfall Map: North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve.

Geographic coordinates - landmark name (marker on map).
N 39.59555 W 121.54164 - DFG Public Parking (A)
N 39.61056 W 121.56067 - Phantom Falls (aka Coal Canyon Falls) (B)
N 39.60858 W 121.56145 - Little Phantom Falls (C)
N 39.60379 W 121.55756 - Ravine Twin Falls (D)
N 39.60367 W 121.55810 - Ravine Falls (aka Fern Falls) (E)
N 39.59469 W 121.55271 - Hollow Falls (F)
N 39.59081 W 121.58136 - Beatson Falls (G)
N 39.58100 W 121.58310 - Crevice Falls (H)
N 39.57711 W 121.58559 - Ranch Falls (I)
N 39.57711 W 121.56368 - Coon Falls (J)

References:
• Phantom Falls hike - Chico Hiking Assoc.
• Many Waterfalls hike - Chico Hiking Assoc.
• North Table Mountain Summit - mountainzone.
• North Table Mountain : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost

For more information:
• Return to North Table Mountain to see Coal Canyon Falls 27feb2011.
• Wildflowers of Table Mountain, Butte County, California - book report.
• Hiking to see waterfalls and wildflowers at North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve 20feb2011.
• Waterfall Hiking in California - websites.
• California Hiking Trails - Statewide Information.
• California Maps - Atlas & Gazetteer by Delorme, 2008.

IceRocket Tags: North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve, Oroville CA, Butte County, California,northern California.
Tags: hiking, waterfalls.

North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve hiking to see waterfalls and wildflowers.

noreply@blogger.com (brthomas) — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 17:13:00 +0000

Cross-country hiking on not-so-flat Table Mountain in Butte County, California USA.

(20feb2011) North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve is a great place for hiking to see waterfalls and wildflowers. We drove to Oroville, CA and drove north on Cherokee Rd to the Dept. Fish & Game public access parking. There are no official trails here. Jim's portable gps (Garmin GPSMap 76S) was a handy tool for this kind of cross-country hiking. The rolling hills and limited visual landmarks make it a tricky place to hike cross-country. If you wander around on top of Table Mountain you will eventually get where you are going and see lots of interesting things along the way. Under these conditions a portable gps is helpful to know where you are and to plot an efficient route to your desired hiking destinations.

Hiking Map - North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve, near Oroville, California.

Beatson Falls and Twin Ravine Falls - Waterfalls at Table Mountain.

We hiked cross-country to Beatson Falls and Twin Ravine Falls. Along the way we got distant views of Sutter Buttes to the south-west, snowy mountaintops like Snow Mountain & St John Mountain to the west, and possibly Ruffa Ridge to the north.

More BRT videos:
• BRT hiking and kayaking videos.
• Video taken with Pentax Optio W10 waterproof camera, edited with Windows Movie Maker.

• Twin Ravine Falls.

More BRT & JH waterfall and wildflower photos from Table Mountain:
• BRT & JH Table Mountain photos 20feb2011.
• Olympus Stylus 720SW camera. Photos edited with IrfanView software.

• Table Mountain photos - ElRemaro 20feb2011. Linked to gps track and topo map.
• Pentax Optio W10 waterproof camera.

Wildflower season begins at Table Mountain.

We saw some of the first few wildflowers blooming at Table Mountain this year. Hopefully we can go back there later in the spring to see additional types of flowers that bloom later in the season.

• Owl's Clover and California Poppy wildflowers.

Unfortunately our hiking was interrupted by equipment malfunction. The rubber sole came off one of my hiking boots came off as we were hiking away from Beatson Falls. All of the spare rope and string we could find in our backpacks could not secure that rubber sole on my boot despite repeated attempts to retie and rearrange the strings. After Ravine Twin Falls I reluctantly agreed to hike out. This was a remarkably good decision because shortly after the rubber sole on the other boot started separating from the shoe. Fortunately we got back to the car before either of my boots completely disintegrated.

We stopped at Taco Bell in Oroville on the way home. I was disappointed that their Cantina Tacos have been rotated out of the menu. I really like their new Smoke Flavored Taco Sauce.

For more information:
• Return to North Table Mountain to see Coal Canyon Falls 27feb2011.
• Wildflowers of Table Mountain, Butte County, California - book report.
• Waterfalls of North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve, Butte County, CA.
• Waterfall Hiking in California - websites.
• Hiking, Camping and Biking Trip Reports - BRT Insights.
• California Hiking Trails - Statewide Information.
• California Maps - Atlas & Gazetteer by Delorme, 2008.

IceRocket Tags: hiking, North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve, Butte County, California, northern California, Oroville CA.
Tags: photography, landscape photography, wildflowers, waterfalls.

Waterfall Trails in Northern California USA.

noreply@blogger.com (brthomas) — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 23:26:00 +0000

Map locations and hiking trails to some favorite cascades.

7x7.com published this list of Favorite Waterfalls in Northern California. "Who doesn't love waterfalls? There are a bunch of places within driving distance where you can get your feet wet. Here are our favorites."

Here is some additional information about where these waterfalls are located and the trails you can hike to see them.

Waterfalls in Northern California - Road Map, Terrain Map, Topographic Map.

• Interactive map. Click and drag to reposition map. Map user instructions.
• Point on the red markers to see their names. Use the tool on the left to zoom in and out.
• Map=road map. Satellite=satellite map. Terrain=3D shaded topo map. Topo=topographic map.
• Full-Screen Road and Trail Map: Waterfalls in Northern California.

Geographic coordinates - Waterfall, Location. (Marker on map)
N 37.16969 W 122.26470 - Berry Creek Falls, Big Basin State Park, Santa Cruz County. (A)
N 38.30718 W 119.61914 - Sardine Falls, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Mono County. (B)
N 39.41657 W 122.79445 - Stony Creek Falls, Waterfall Loop Trail, Lake County. (C)
N 37.92436 W 122.62944 - Cataract Falls, Marin County. (D)
N 40.62640 W 122.66922 - Whiskeytown Falls, Whiskeytown NRA, Shasta County. (E)
N 39.64312 W 121.27441 - Feather Falls, Plumas National Forest, Butte County. (F)
N 36.15860 W 121.67165 - McWay Fall, Julia Pfeiffer State Park, Monterey County. (G)
N 37.08418 W 121.79250 - Basin Falls, Uvas Canyon Park, Santa Clara County. (H)
N 37.89782 W 121.91627 - Donner Creek Falls, Mt. Diablo State Park, Contra Costa County. (I)
N 37.17783 W 122.27783 - Golden Cascade Fall, Big Basin State Park, Santa Cruz County. (J)

See more about:
• Waterfall Hiking in California - websites.
• Hiking to Waterfalls in California - Books.
• Reviews - Books, Videos, and Websites - BRT Insights.
• California Hiking Trails Directory - BRT Insights.

IceRocket Tags: waterfall, hiking, trail, California, northern California.
Tags: travel, photography, landscape photography, hiking, walking.

Sunol Regional Wilderness hiking trip report - Alameda County, California USA.

noreply@blogger.com (brthomas) — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 19:02:00 +0000

(13feb2011) Sunol Regional Wilderness is east of San Francisco Bay and north of San Jose. Its a good place to go hiking, especially on a cool day in fall, winter or spring. Its a very good place for hiking with your dog because its on the short list of places that permit dogs to run off leash in undeveloped areas under voice command.

DoubleClick on the photos to see the large version - use the back button to return.

Hiking Trail Map - Sunol Regional Wilderness.

• The map is interactive. Click and drag to reposition map. Map user instructions.
• Use the tool on the left to zoom in and out. Point on the red markers to see their names.
• Map button = road map. Satellite=satellite map. Terrain = 3D shaded topo map. Topo = topographic map.
• Full-Screen Road and Trail Map: Sunol Regional Wilderness.

Geographic coordinates - landmark name.
N 37.51608 W 121.83188 - Sunol Visitor Center.
N 37.50993 W 121.82867 - end of Geary Rd.
N 37.50885 W 121.82889 - bridge 1 over Alameda Creek.
N 37.50482 W 121.81838 - Little Yosemite Area.
N 37.51847 W 121.81014 - Cerro Este Overlook.
N 37.52662 W 121.81600 - Indian Joe Creek.
N 37.51596 W 121.83045 - bridge 2 over Alameda Creek.

We drove past the Sunol Visitor Center and parked at the end of the pavement on Geary Road. The Google road map (Map button - see above) shows Geary Road continuing, but public access ends at the gate. This is clearly visible on the satellite view of the map (Satellite button - see above). Trails at Sunol Regional Wilderness are not marked on the USGS topographic map provided at mapper.acme.com (Topo button), but in this open grassland area most of the trails we hiked can be followed easily in the satellite view on the map.

We hiked the bridge over Alameda Creek and down the Camp Ohlone Road. Alameda Creek flows for a short distance through a narrow, rocky gorge called the Little Yosemite Area. It wasn't too impressive when we were there because there was very little flow in the creek and it was too dark and shady for photography. We continued on Camp Ohlone Road past the confluences with Calaveras Creek and "W" Tree Rock Scramble Creek. Then we headed uphill on Backpack Road and McCorkle Trail, and stopped for a break where the trail crosses "W" Tree Rock Scramble Creek. (Trail map in pdf format)

The last sunny day before a rainstorm is a really great time to go hiking. Throughout the day the skies were filled with the most beautiful feathery clouds.

More BRT photos:
• Sunol Regional Wilderness hiking photos - brthomas 14feb2011.
• Olympus Stylus 720SW camera. Photos edited with IrfanView software.

Cerro Este Overlook, Sunol Regional Wilderness.

We continued on McCorkle Trail and Cerro Este Road to the Cerro Este Overlook, stopping there for a while to enjoy the most excellent view.

More BRT videos:
• BRT hiking and kayaking videos.
• Video taken with Olympus Stylus 850SW waterproof camera.
• Video edited with Windows Movie Maker.

We continued on Cave Rocks Road, turning downhill on Indian Joe Creek Trail and Indian Joe Nature Trail. We crossed another bridge over Alameda Creek, took a look at Sunol Visitor Center, then hiked Geary Road back to the car.

Sri Thai Restaurant, Dublin CA.

On the way home we stopped for an excellent dinner at Sri Thai Restaurant in Dublin CA. We got Mieng Kum, an appetizer made of toasted coconut with ginger chutney wrapped in a spinach leaf. Som-Tum salad was a spicy salad made with shredded green papaya, shrimp, tomato, etc. Bankok Pepper Steak and Salmon Curry entrees were spicy, complex and wonderful dishes.

For more information:
• Hiking, Camping and Biking Trip Reports - BRT Insights.
• California Hiking Trails - Statewide Information.
• California Maps - Atlas & Gazetteer by Delorme, 2008.

IceRocket Tags: hiking, trails, Sunol Regional Wilderness, Alameda County, California, northern California.
Tags: photography, landscape photography, hiking with dogs.

Fresno River and Coarsegold Creek Paddle Boating Guide and Map - Whitewater California USA.

noreply@blogger.com (brthomas) — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 19:25:00 +0000

Kayaking, Rafting, Canoeing and Innertubing Paddlesports - Madera County.

Coarsegold Creek is a tributary of the Fresno River, which is a tributary of the San Joaquin River.

Fresno River and Coarsegold Creek Whitewater Boating Runs.

1. Fresno River, Oakhurst to Goldside Dr ??, class ??, miles ??.
2. Fresno River, Goldside Drive to Road 600, class III-V, 3 miles.
3. Fresno River, Road 600 to Road 415, class IV-V(V+), 11 miles.
4. Fresno River, Road 415 to Lake Hensley, class IV-V+, 12 miles.
5. Fresno River, below Lake Hensley ??, class ??, miles ??.
6. Coarsegold Creek, Highway 41 to Spinelli Rd, class IV-V, 5 miles.
7. Coarsegold Creek, Spinelli Rd to Yosemite Springs Parkway ??, class ??, miles ??.
8. Coarsegold Creek, Yosemite Springs Parkway to Rd. 400, class II-III(IV), 7 Miles.

Real-time Flow - Fresno River whitewater.

• Fresno River real-time flow data - cdec.water.ca.gov. Hensley Lake reservoir inflow data for runs 1-4 and 6-8 above. Reservoir outflow data for run 4 above?? Hidden Dam impounds Hensley Lake Reservoir on the Fresno River.

River Map - access locations for Fresno River paddle boating.

• Interactive map. Click and drag to reposition map. Map user instructions.
• Zoom in and out using tool on the left. Point on the red markers to see their names.
• Map button = road map. Terrain = 3D shaded topo map. Topo = topographic map.
• Full-Screen Road and River Map: Fresno River access locations.

Geographic coordinates - Landmark names (markers on map above)
1. Fresno River, Oakhurst to Goldside Dr ??, class ??, miles ??.
N 37.32973 W 119.65575 - Oakhurst (A)
N 37.33475 W 119.70695 - Goldside Dr (B)

2. Fresno River, Goldside Dr to Road 600, class III-V, 3 miles.
N 37.33475 W 119.70695 - Goldside Dr (B)
N 37.34846 W 119.75153 - Road 600 (C)

3. Fresno River, Road 600 to Road 415, class IV-V(V+), 11 miles.
N 37.34846 W 119.75153 - Road 600 (C)
N 37.30386 W 119.76106 - Dupty Fire Rd 8084 ?? (D)
N 37.23709 W 119.77514 - Road 415 (E) (access in this area is problematic)

4. Fresno River, Road 415 to Lake Hensley, class IV-V+, 12 miles.
N 37.23709 W 119.77514 - Road 415 (E) (access in this area is problematic)
N 37.12159 W 119.88833 - Lake Hensley (F)

5. Fresno River, below Lake Hensley ??, class ??, miles ??.
N 37.10455 W 119.88899 - below Lake Hensley ?? (G)
N 37.07045 W 119.90783 - below Lake Hensley ??

6. Coarsegold Creek, Highway 41 to Spinelli Rd, class IV-V, 5 miles.
N 37.26012 W 119.70253 - Hwy 41 (H)
N 37.20658 W 119.72733 - Spinelli Rd (I)

7. Coarsegold Creek, Spinelli Rd to Yosemite Springs Parkway ??, class ??, miles ??.
N 37.20658 W 119.72733 - Spinelli Rd (I)
N 37.15584 W 119.73703 - Yosemite Springs Parkway (J)

8. Coarsegold Creek, Yosemite Springs Parkway to Rd. 400, class II-III(IV), 7 Miles.
N 37.15584 W 119.73703 - Yosemite Springs Parkway (J)
N 37.16835 W 119.83543 - Rd. 400 - near confluence with Fresno River (K)

Driving Directions, Map, Distance, Estimated Time & Road Conditions.

Mapquest provides directions, distance & time from your house to the river.
• For example: Davis, CA to Madera, CA - driving time 2 hrs 43 mins - 163 miles.

California Road Conditions (Delays or closures due to weather, construction, etc.)
• California Travel Information - highwayconditions.com.
• Road Conditions - California Dept Transportation.

Local weather in Coarsegold, CA (elevation 2,218 feet).

• Weather, Yosemite Lakes Park, Coarsegold CA.

Local weather in Madera, CA (elevation at Hensley Lake 540 feet).

Online River Guides for Paddle Boaters.

• Guide for Paddlesports on Fresno River - Guide for Coarsegold Creek (See section 1.)

Guidebooks and Printed Maps - Fresno River whitewater.

• None.

Fresno River Boating Stories REQUESTED !!

Contact me to submit your Fresno River and Coarsegold Creek trip reports. I am interested to post or link to your trip reports. Guest authors are encouraged to send in their whitewater boating trip stories, pictures & videos.

Whitewater River Recreation, Conservation & Environment.

• Fresno River Watershed Conservation and Recreation Directory. Coarsegold Creek Directory. Websites for the Fresno River valley. Display options - alphabetical 100. See section 1=kayaking-canoeing, 2=rafting-tubing, 3=environment-conservation, 4=fishing, 5=hiking-camping, 6=other-resources)

More information:
• Creeks and rivers nearby: Chowchilla River, San Joaquin River.
• San Joaquin Valley Region - California Paddleboating Guides.
• California Statewide Paddleboating Guides for Whitewater Rivers.
• California Road Maps and River Maps - Atlas and Gazetteer by Delorme, 2008.

Tags: rafting, canoeing, kayaking, tubing, river map, river guide.
Tags: Fresno River, Coarsegold Creek, California, Madera County, river, whitewater, paddle boating.

Chowchilla River Whitewater Paddle Boating Guide and Map - California USA.

noreply@blogger.com (brthomas) — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 22:52:00 +0000

Rafting, Kayaking, Innertubing and Canoeing Paddlesport - Madera County.

The Chowchilla River is a tributary of the San Joaquin River.

Chowchilla River Whitewater Boating Runs.

1. EF Chowchilla River, Bailey Flats to Road 800, class III-IV, 7 miles.
2. Chowchilla River, Road 800 to Eastman Lake, class ??, ~6 miles.
3. Chowchilla River, Buchanan Dam to Buchanan Hollow Rd, class ??, ~5 miles.

Real-time Flow - Chowchilla River whitewater.

• Chowchilla River real-time flow data - cdec.water.ca.gov. Buchanan Dam reservoir inflow data for runs 1 and 2 above. Reservoir outflow data for run 3 above. Buchanan Dam impounds Eastman Lake Reservoir on the Chowchilla River.

River Map - access locations for Chowchilla River paddle boating.

• Interactive map. Click and drag to reposition map. Map user instructions.
• The tool on the left zooms in and out. Point on the red markers to see their names.
• Map button = road map. Terrain = 3D shaded topo map. Topo = topographic map.
• Full-Screen Road and River Map: Chowchilla River access locations.

Geographic coordinates - Landmark names (markers on map above)
1. EF Chowchilla River, Bailey Flats to Road 800, class III-IV, 7 miles.
N 37.33696 W 119.82024 - Bailey Flats put-in (A)
N 37.28805 W 119.86917 - Road 800 take-out (B)

2. Chowchilla River, Road 800 to Eastman Lake, class ??, ~6 miles.
N 37.28805 W 119.86917 - Road 800 put-in (B)
N 37.26026 W 119.94633 - Eastman Lake take-out (C)

3. Chowchilla River, Buchanan Dam to Buchanan Hollow Rd, class ??, ~5 miles.
N 37.21666 W 119.98564 - Buchanan Dam put-in (D)
N 37.18754 W 120.04435 - Buchanan Hollow Rd take-out (E)

Driving Directions, Map, Distance, Estimated Time & Road Conditions.

Mapquest provides directions, distance & time from your house to the river.
• For example: Davis, CA to Raymond, CA - driving time 2 hrs 59 mins / 173 miles.

California Road Conditions (Delays or closures due to weather, construction, etc.)
• California Travel Information - highwayconditions.com.
• Road Conditions - California Dept Transportation.

Local weather in Raymond, CA (elevation 540 feet).

Online River Guides for Paddle Boaters.

• Directory for Paddlesports on Chowchilla River. (See section 1.)

Printed Maps and Guidebooks - Chowchilla River whitewater.

• None.

Chowchilla River Boating Stories REQUESTED !!

Contact me to submit your Chowchilla River trip report. I am interested to post or link to your trip reports. I welcome whitewater boating trip stories, pictures & videos from guest authors.

Whitewater River Recreation, Conservation & Environment.

• Chowchilla River Watershed Conservation and Recreation Directory. Websites for the Chowchilla River valley. Display options - alphabetical 100. See section 1=kayaking-canoeing, 2=rafting-tubing, 3=environment-conservation, 4=fishing, 5=hiking-camping, 6=other-resources)

More about:
• Rivers & creeks nearby: Merced River, (Fresno River, Coarsegold Creek), San Joaquin River.
• San Joaquin Valley Region - California Paddleboating Guides.
• California Statewide Boating Guides for Whitewater Rivers - Canoeing, Tubing, Rowing, Rafting, and Kayaking.
• California Road Maps and River Maps - Atlas and Gazetteer by Delorme, 2008.

Tags: kayaking, tubing, rafting, canoeing, river map, river guide.
Tags: Chowchilla River, California, Madera County, whitewater, paddle boating, river.

San Antonio Creek Map and Paddleboating Guide - Whitewater California USA.

noreply@blogger.com (brthomas) — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 01:21:00 +0000

Kayaking, Canoeing and Rafting Paddlesport - Los Angeles County.

Every bit of runnable whitewater should be treasured in an area like southern California where there is so little precipitation for so many months of the year.

San Antonio Creek Whitewater Boating Run.

1. San Antonio Creek, Mt. Baldy Road to San Antonio Dam, class IV, 1 mile.

Real-time Flow - San Antonio Creek whitewater.

• The tiny San Antonio Creek watershed produces boatable flows only during and shortly after large rainstorms.

River Map - access location for San Antonio Creek paddle boating.

Driving Directions, Map, Distance, Estimated Time & Road Conditions.

Mapquest provides directions, distance & time from your house to the river.
• From Davis, CA to Rancho Cucamonga, CA - driving time 6 hrs 43 mins - 433 miles.

California Road Conditions (Delays or closures due to weather, construction, etc.)
• California Travel Information - highwayconditions.com.
• Road Conditions - California Dept Transportation.

Local weather in Rancho Cucamonga, CA (elevation 1555 feet).

Online River Guides for Paddleboaters.

• Directory for Paddleboating on San Antonio Creek. (See section 1.)

Printed Maps and Guidebooks - San Antonio Creek whitewater.

• None.

San Antonio Creek Boating Stories REQUESTED !!

Contact me to submit your San Antonio Creek trip report. I am interested to post or link to your trip reports. I welcome whitewater boating trip stories, pictures & videos from guest authors.

Whitewater River Recreation & Environment.

• San Antonio Creek Valley Conservation and Recreation Directory. Web sites for the San Antonio Creek watershed. Set display options - alphabetical 100. Section 1=kayaking-canoeing, 2=rafting-tubing, 3=environment-conservation, 4=fishing, 5=hiking-camping, 6=other-resources)

More about:
• Rivers & creeks nearby: San Gabriel River, Santa Margarita River.
• Similar name that is not nearby: San Antonio River Paddleboating Guide - Salinas River tributary - Monterey County.
• Coastal Rivers of Central & Southern California Paddleboating Guides.
• Statewide Paddleboating Guides for California Whitewater Rivers - Rowing, Rafting, Canoeing, Tubing and Kayaking.
• California Road Maps and River Maps - Atlas and Gazetteer by Delorme, 2008.

Tags: kayaking, rafting, canoeing, river map.
Tags: San Antonio Creek, California, southern California, socal, Los Angeles County, whitewater, paddle boating, river.