HIKING FOR GOOD and OUTLANDISH EXPERIENCES OFFERS FULL CALENDAR OF HIKES
​This weekend, nature and history lovers have two excuses to get outdoors. Hiking For Good and Outlandish Experience will offer two guided outings on local trails. (Fairy Falls. Photo Hank Meals)
The first outing at Purdon Crossing on Saturday, Feb. 2 is part of an ongoing monthly “Sauntering” Series with Certified California Naturalist Steve Roddy. On Sunday, Feb. 3, archeologist and celebrated trails author Hank Meals will begin his first in a year-long Yuba Trails and Tales series by venturing to Spenceville Wildlife Area.

With a vision to build a healthy community through connections to people, place and nature, Hiking For Good offers a full calendar of guided hikes, saunters and backpacking trips for folks of all ages, abilities and interests.
Started in the summer of 2018 with an overnight Backpacking Basics Series, Hiking For Good in partnership with Outlandish Experiences offers a variety of monthly outings for people who want to explore the trails of Nevada County. Besides the obvious good that comes from regular walks in the outdoors, learning about the natural world, spending time away from screens and meeting new friends in beautiful environments, Hiking For Good gives back a percentage of proceeds throughout the year to organizations and agencies that protect public access to nature, and/ or promotes environmental and social justice causes.

This summer look for a Beginning Backpacking overnighter in Grouse Ridge, an adventure on the Pacific Crest Trail for experienced backpackers from Donner Summit to the Sierra Buttes and a three-night trip into the heart of Desolation Wilderness.

Learn more about these and other outings, gear swaps, outdoor resources, and more by following Hiking For Good on Facebook and Instagram or visiting OutlandishExperiences.com.

1. WHAT: Purdon Crossing
WHEN: 10 am to noonish, Saturday, Feb. 2
LENGTH: 2 – 3 miles, out and back
DIFFICULTY: easy to moderate
COST: $25
REGISTER: OutlandishExperiences.com
Ready for a Walking Series that leaves no one behind? Join Laura Petersen of Hiking For Good and California Naturalist Steve Roddy for some of the best trails of the season on these outings designed for folks who, like John Muir, enjoy the act of taking it slow and “sauntering” in the outdoors.

The first saunter of the new year takes place at Purdon Crossing on the Yuba River. The elegant truss bridge at Purdon Crossing (1895) spans the South Yuba River and has a unique half trough design which makes this the only bridge of its kind in California. On our walk through a forest of madrone, cedar, Douglas fir and oak we’ll follow the gentle South Yuba Trail where we’ll learn about the people, history, and natural wonders of this beautiful stretch of Wild & Scenic River.
Held once a month, these shorter saunters are meant to immerse participants in nature to practice awareness and observation skills. Field guides, journals, cameras and binoculars are welcome and encouraged. Connect with nature, get healthy exercise, and make new friends. Look for future saunters at Table Mountain, the Sutter Buttes, and the little town of Washington.

2.  WHAT: Exploring Spenceville: A Yuba Trails & Tales Series with Hank Meals
WHEN: 9 am to 3 pm Sunday, Feb. 3
LENGTH: 6 miles
DIFFICULTY: Moderate to Challenging (depending on skill level)
Elevation: 300 – 600 feet
COST: $50

Photo Hank MealsJoin passionate pedestrian Hank Meals on this Yuba Trails and Tales adventure into the heart of Spenceville Wildlife and Recreation Area, the first of a monthly series offered by Hiking For Good and Outlandish Experiences.
Spenceville Recreation Area is the largest publicly owned tract of blue oak – gray pine woodland habitat in the North Central Sierra foothills. It contains 11,942 acres, extending 10 miles from north to south and up to 4.5 miles east to west. Straddling the western boundary of Nevada County and the eastern boundary of Yuba County, the wildlife area is bordered on the west by Beale Air Force Base and on the north, south, and east by privately owned ranches and parcels.
Managed by the Department of Fish and Wildlife, Spenceville is located within the Dry Creek drainage, which joins the Bear River near Wheatland. There are numerous ponds, creeks, trails and riparian zones. This special place of rolling hills under a big sky offers lots of trails with little climbing.

“We are very fortunate to have access to low elevation blue oak habitat in rolling hills, especially beautiful in late winter and spring. Most of this kind of landscape has been converted into housing tracts,” said Meals.

The recreation area is rich with evidence of human history – Nisenan, early townsites, important transportation corridors and the Beale legacy. Plan on getting away from it all with wild viewsheds that resemble what California used to look like.

Hank Meal’s Yuba Trails & Tales Series, exclusive to Hiking For Good & Outlandish Experiences, will explore different cultural landscapes at different elevations within the Yuba, Bear and American River Watersheds each month in 2019. Other trips to watch for include: Black Swan, Long Point, Blue Lake, Fordyce Creek, Canyon Creek, Lakes Basin, Mt. Lola (the highest peak in Nevada County), Chimney Rock, the Doolittle Trail and Hall’s Ranch.

Hank Meals is known for his extensive and intimate knowledge of his habitat. A prolific writer and author of several books on hiking trails in the Yuba Watershed, Hank shares information, stories and discoveries about the topography, natural history and culture of the Yuba River basin in the Sierra Nevada of California. He is a capable researcher, an experienced photographer, an avid hiker and a treasured trail guide. Read his blog at: yubatreadhead.blogspot.com

Laura Petersen is a Northern California journalist who has spent nearly two decades chronicling the people and landscapes of remote corners of The West. Fascinated by folk who make a rustic livelihood from the land, her writing and guided hikes examine the complexity of human relationships with nature. She is Wilderness First Aid Certified and completed the 170+ mile Tahoe Rim Trail in 2018. Contact her for more information about regularly scheduled and custom guided outdoor adventures at laura@hiking4good.com

To see the original article and photo in YubaNet, CLICK HERE

ASRA - Wendel T Robie Trail  Trail Alert: Tree Down Tree Down on Wendell T Robie Trail Tree is down on Wendell T. Robie trail blocking the trail completely. The tree can be found shortly after Olmsteaf Loop Trail hits Wendell T. Robie as you come from the top of Training Hill or K2.

Always the third Thursday of the month, Folks Trails Hiking Club has free adventure walks through Historic Nevada City and its outlying neighborhoods. (Photo by Erin Thiem)
Folks Trails Hiking Club and Outside Inn/Inn Town Campground invites history and nature lovers of all ages to join them on a series of urban hikes through historic Nevada City and its outlying neighborhoods. Led by Jesse Locks, a California Naturalist, founder of Folk Trails Hiking Club and certified in Wilderness First Aid, these hikes are perfect for both residents and visitors looking for a deeper understanding and connection to this beautiful and unique corner of the world.  
This is the third year that the organizations have teamed up to organize these "micro adventures." Over the last two years the hikes have attracted hundreds of locals and visitors.
"The hikes bring out locals, guests from the motel and the campground, and visitors to the area who are all interested in learning more about Nevada City's rich history," explained Erin Thiem, owner of the Outside Inn and Inn Town Campground, and curator of Visit Nevada City on Instagram. "Because of the variety of hikes over the year, we've had repeat guests as well as a range of folks who join us just once."
A micro adventure is an adventure that is short, simple, local, cheap — yet still fun, exciting, challenging, refreshing and rewarding. Each hike varies in distance from two to four miles, but would be considered easy to moderate (Nevada City is known for its seven hills). Each hike is organized around the time of year to showcase the very best of what Nevada City has to offer. The hikes focus on subjects such as fall colors, architecture, historic figures, cemeteries, bird watching, Deer Creek and the Tribute Trail, and much more.
"The hiking series is a great collaboration of all things Nevada City, both for locals and visitors," said Thiem. "It forces you to stop and appreciate the small details around town that you might otherwise miss."
To prepare for each hike, Locks spends countless hours reading and researching books, websites, and libraries, along with interviewing local old timers.​
"It's a lot of fun for me to do the research and because so many people come back every month, I'm always trying to keep it fresh and new," said Locks. "It's important to both Erin and I, that people learn the history of our community, but it's more important to us that they get outside, meet new people, and build relationships with their neighbors and community. We want people to care about and love Nevada City as much as we do."
From October to April the hikes start at the Outside Inn, 575 Broad Street, in Nevada City. May to September they begin at the Inn Town Campground, 9 Kidder Court, Nevada City. Non-guests of both the Outside Inn and Inn Town Campground should park off-site at either a public parking lot or on a nearby street.
Hikers are suggested to bring water, snacks if needed, and proper footwear, dress in layers and of course, their camera. Each hike happens during the day's "magic hour" when the light is filtered and beautiful, making for perfect photos. The hike is free and open to anyone who's interested in joining. 

2019 Folk Trails & Outside Inn/Inn Town Campground Hikes (Always the third Thursday of the month unless noted otherwise):
Jan. 10, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. – Tribute Trail along Deer Creek (winter on the trail)
Feb. 14, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. – The Hills of Nevada City
March 14, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Hirschman's Pond
April 11, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m – Architecture of Nevada City 
May 9, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m – Trees of Nevada City 
June 13, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Prospect Hill, Pioneer Park & Pine Grove Cemetery 
July 11, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Tribute Trail along Deer Creek (summer on the trail)
Aug. 8, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Forged at the Foundry
Sept. 12, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. – Forest Bathing with special guest leader Wander Pathways
Oct. 10, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Fall Colors Walk
Nov. 1, 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Day of the Dead Hike to Historic Cemeteries co-led with Nevada County Cemetery District's Matt Melugin
Dec. 12, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Holiday Lights Tour and Stories of Christmas' Past in Nevada County

To see the original article in The Union newspaper, CLICK HERE.

More information: http://www.outsideinn.com or http://www.folkstrail.org

Bear Yuba Land Trust is going to be busy, with YOUR help!
​With all this weather we've been receiving, the trails need some extra TLC! Save the Dates for upcoming Trail Workdays -
Wolf Creek Trail on January 9, 2019 9:00 am
Independence Trail on January 10, 2019 9:00 am 
Wolf Creek Trail on January 16, 2019 9:00 am 
Snowdrop Trail on January 17, 2019 9:00 am
CLICK HERE for more information.
BYLT will provide the tools and expertise needed to complete the work. If you have any questions, email Shaun Clark.