News Release Archive

New Melones Lake Sponsors Ranger-Led Hikes

Media Contact: Jeffrey McCracken, 916-978-5100, 01/22/2007 20:22

For Release: January 22, 2007

Saturday, February 3, 2007, 10 a.m., "Norwegian Gulch - Gold Mining and Mark Twain"

Join Park Ranger Pattie Guida for a 1-hour walk on the Norwegian Gulch Trail.  Learn about the historical significance of the area, and hear about the lasting influence of Mark Twain s stay on nearby Jack Ass Hill.  This is an easy 1-mile walk.  Participants can meet at the New Melones Lake Visitor Center.

Sunday, February 4, 2007, 1 p.m., "The Wonders of Natural Bridges"

Join Park Ranger Alex Encoyand for a 2-hour hike to Coyote Creek and the Upper Natural Bridge.  Along the way you will learn about the plant and wildlife communities of the area, and the unique geology of Natural Bridges.   Hear about old-timer and prospector L.A. "Old Bach" Barnes who set up a mining claim in the area.  This is a moderate 1½-mile hike.  Participants can meet Ranger Encoyand at the trailhead to Natural Bridges on Parrotts Ferry Road, three miles north of Columbia.

Saturday, February 17, 2007, 10 a.m., "Angels Creek - Italian Immigrants and their Outdoor Stone Ovens"

Join Park Ranger Pattie Guida for this 2-hour hike to learn about the mining history of the area and the various groups of miners that came to the area to seek their riches.  Learn about historic sites and stone ovens once used by early prospectors.  This is a moderate 2¼-mile hike.  Participants can meet at the Angels Creek boat launch parking lot in Glory Hole Recreation Area.

Sunday, February 18, 2007, 1 p.m., "The Life Zones of Heron Point"

Join Park Ranger Alex Encoyand for a 1½-hour walk on the Heron Point Trail.  Learn about the various communities of animals and plants that live around New Melones Lake.  What trees are found on north sloping hills versus south sloping hills?  What animal left those tracks in the mud?  Ranger Encoyand will describe how to identify local flora and fauna species and the unique characteristics that enable them to live here.  This is an easy 2-mile walk.  The Heron Point Trail is located near the end of Reynolds Ferry Road in Tuttletown Recreation Area.

Saturday, February 24, 2007, 10 a.m., "Carson Creek Loop - Late Winter in Oak Woodlands"

Join Park Ranger Pattie Guida on this hike to learn about the identification of area flora and fauna.  Along the way participants may glimpse one of the Bald Eagles that spend the winter at New Melones Lake.  Ranger Guida will explore the various plants used by Me-Wuk Indians.  This is a moderate to challenging 3½-mile hike.  Participants can meet at the upper Carson Creek Trailhead, located a quarter mile west of the Glory Hole Recreation Area entrance station.

Programs may be cancelled due to inclement weather.  Pre-registration is requested by calling the New Melones Lake Visitor Center at 209-536-9543.  Participants should wear good hiking shoes, clothing appropriate for the weather, and bring trail snacks and water.  The Visitor Center"s operating hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday and closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

For more information, please call Park Ranger Brian Buttazoni at the New Melones Lake Visitor Center at 209-536-9094, extension 233, or stop by and tour the museum and bookstore, located on Highway 49 midway between the historic gold rush towns of Sonora and Angels Camp.

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