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Avalanche warnings for all trails and roads in the central Sierra - Feb. 27, 2023

2/27/2023

Wind slabs will continue to grow in size and extent as the gale-force SW winds keep piling wind-blown snow onto slopes near ridges, on open wind-exposed areas, and in gullies. The wind-blown snow will combine with the new snow that falls during this storm, making some of these wind slabs very thick, and the resulting avalanches could be deep.

Triggering wind slabs will be very likely today, and natural wind slab avalanches will become very likely by this afternoon. The largest, most fragile wind slabs will form on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects in near and above treeline terrain, but some wind slabs may also develop in open areas below treeline due to the strength of the wind. These avalanches could be very large and travel down into below-treeline areas.

THE BOTTOM LINE

The avalanche danger will rise quickly as a strong winter storm brings new snow and continued gale-force winds. Slabs of wind-blown snow and storm snow will avalanche on steep slopes during this blizzard. Avalanches will be very likely by this afternoon, and traveling on, near, or below steep slopes is not recommended during this storm.
During this storm, traveling in, around, or below avalanche terrain is not recommended.

CLICK HERE to see updates on the avalanche forecasts from the Sierra Avalanche Center

Your participation is needed on Empire Mine survey

2/25/2023

From California State Parks Sierra District:
"Help us shape the future of interpretation at Empire Mine State Historic Park with this Visitor Survey!
Empire Mine SHP is developing a new Interpretation Master Plan that will guide the planning process for future programs, exhibits and events at the park. We want to learn about your park visits, and hear your ideas for improving the visitor experience. "

There may be things you would like to have considered and added, such as toilets at Penn Gate, bans on electric motorized bikes, make yourself heard!

We need all all trail users! The survey is quick and easy.

Go here:
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=31177

OR SCAN: just scan the QR code above.

West side of Empire Mine SHP

East side of Empire Mine SHP

Snow hazards for trail riders

2/24/2023

Winter trail riding can be fun if you’re prepare with these tips. Of course, you try to avoid the trail riding hazards that might get you and your horse into real trouble, such as blizzards and ice storms. But Mother Nature has a wicked sense of humor. A nice winter day can turn nasty in minutes. You might find yourself riding in snow far deeper than you’d anticipated or suddenly sliding downhill on an icy trail.

Keep in mind that moving through deep snow will tire your horse, especially if the snow is wet and heavy. Scale back your ride, especially if he isn’t in top shape. Otherwise, he may become worn out and sore, and/or develop muscle cramps.

Here, we give you tips on how to negotiate seven winter riding hazards:

Hazard #1: Deep snow
Why it’s hazardous: Your horse may panic in a deep snow bank and flounder about, possibly pulling a muscle, or straining tendons and ligaments. Deep snow can also cover underlying trail hazards, such as holes and sharp objects.
What you should do: Find and stick to trails and roadways where the snow isn’t as deep. Keep your horse well collected, with his weight back over his hindquarters. A collected horse usually has a “spare leg” to catch himself, because his weight is more evenly distributed in relationship to his center of gravity; he’ll be more agile with less effort than if he carries his weight on his forehand. At the same time, give him enough rein so that he can use his head and neck for balance.
Keep in mind that moving through deep snow will tire your horse, especially if the snow is wet and heavy. (Fine, powdery, dry snow is much easier for him to step through.) Scale back your ride, especially if he isn’t in top shape. Otherwise, he may become worn out and sore, and/or develop muscle cramps.
Avoid brushing against snow-covered trees and bushes. You can get chilled if a load of snow falls down your neck, and onto your bare hands and saddle seat. Your horse may also spook at the falling snow.

Hazard #2: Snowdrifts
Why they’re hazardous: Blowing, drifting snow can fill ditches and gullies, leaving a smooth landscape. You won’t know your horse is walking into a hole or deep gully until the ground drops out from under him, and he’s floundering or falling down.
What you should do: Stick to familiar trails; don’t travel cross-country, where the terrain is rougher. Avoid riding through the drifted areas, if possible. You may not be able to gauge drift depth until your horse is up to his belly and struggling to wallow through.

Hazard #3: Frozen ground
Why it’s hazardous: Frozen ground is second only to sheer ice in slickness. Even grass is slippery when frozen. Your horse’s feet are designed to cut into the ground a little with each step, for traction. If he can’t dig into the hard, frozen surface, his feet will slip at every step. And he may go down so quickly that you won’t have time to pull your foot out of the stirrup and get out of harm’s way.
What you should do: Take it slow.Travel at a walk, and avoid sudden turns
or stops. Try to stay on flat terrain. Especially try to avoid going downhill; horses usually have better traction going up than down.
Never go around the side of a hill; instead, ride straight up or straight down the hill. When you get to a more level area, you can continue in the direction you wish to go. When going downhill, a surefooted horse that’s going straight can slip and slide all the way to the bottom and still keep his feet underneath himself. Even if he slides down on his haunches, he won’t fall. However, if he’s traveling at an angle to the hill, his feet may slip out from under him, causing a bad fall.
If your horse is reasonably surefooted, don’t dismount, unless you can get well away from him as you lead him. It’s safer to stay on him than to risk slipping and falling. Once you go down, your horse may then inadvertently slide into or run over you. If the footing is that treacherous, you won’t have any better traction than your horse, especially if you’re wearing smooth-soled riding boots. He has four legs for balance; you have only two.
If you do need to dismount, stay well out of your horse’s way and off to the side, in case he slides or falls. Dismount off his right side, if it seems safer.
Even if you’re traveling on dry, safe terrain, beware of shaded areas and north-facing slopes that don’t get much winter sun. These areas may still be frozen and treacherous.

Hazard #4: Ice
Why it’s hazardous: All ice is treacherous, from frozen puddles and ice-covered streams to melted snow that’s re-frozen. A heavy, wet snow that then freezes to the ice can provide a little traction, but a wet snow or rain that freezes over ice will just make it even more slippery. A fine, powdery snow on ice may also make it more slippery.
On ice, your horse can easily lose his footing, scramble, and fall down, then have trouble getting up again. If your horse does the “splits,” he may seriously injure himself, as well as put you at risk as he struggles and falls.
What you should do: Avoid riding across patches of ice, if at all possible. Watch for ice hidden under fresh snow, which is especially treacherous. If you suspect there’s ice under the snow in a certain spot, go around it.

Hazard #5: Packed snow
Why it’s hazardous: Packed snow can be just as slippery as ice. A polished trail or road, packed by hoof traffic or vehicles, is ice, and very slippery indeed.
What you should do: Try to find a path through undisturbed snow, which is much less slippery than a packed track. Ride to the side of the trail if you need to. If you’re traveling with a group, keep in mind that while the ride leader may be gaining traction in fresh, undisturbed snow, the horses who follow will be on slippery, packed snow.
The ride leader should go slowly to allow for this hazard.
Hazard #6: Freezing rain/ice stormWhy they’re hazardous: Your horse is at great risk for an injury-inducing fall. Unlike other hazards, which you might be able to go around, ice coats every surface. Preparing for a ride, or if you dismount, you’re likely to slip and fall.
What you should do: If all surfaces are coated with ice, choose a better day for a ride. If you’re on a long ride and get caught in freezing rain or an ice storm, choose the safest route home possible. Keep to a walk, and avoid sloping ground, even if it means going a longer way around an area of risky footing.

Hazard #7: Slippery mud/deep mud
Why they’re hazardous: Wet, slippery mud puts your horse at risk for a fall. Deep mud also increases your horse’s risk of falling, as he may not be able to pull his feet up quickly enough to catch himself, especially if he hits mud unexpectedly.
Also in deep mud, your horse may struggle and flounder, possibly pulling muscles, tendons, or ligaments, or damaging joints. As he struggles, he may kick off a shoe. The mud itself can pull off a shoe.
What you should do: In slippery mud, see the precautions for negotiating frozen ground (Hazard #3), especially on hills. If the trail is dry, still watch out for shaded areas, such as timbered slopes, where the ground may still be wet and muddy. Also watch for wet soil over frozen ground, especially as spring approaches.
In deep mud, keep your horse calm, and go slow; it takes extra effort for him to pull his feet out at each step. If he moves faster than a walk (or tries to jump over or through a muddy area) and becomes mired, his momentum may throw him down head over heels, taking you with him.
If you must dismount in mud, scrape the mud off the bottom of your boots before you remount. Muddy boots can slide out of the stirrups, impeding your balance. Use a rock, sagebrush—whatever is available—to remove the mud.

Article written by seasoned equine journalist Heather Smith Thomas, a lifelong horsewoman and cattle rancher, is based in eastern Idaho.

CLICK HERE to see the original article and photos in Horse and Rider magazine

Where to find wildflowers in Northern California

2/22/2023

Feb. 22, 2023. Here’s what to expect this season. A generous amount of water dropped over Northern California this winter, and rolling green hills adorned with wildflower blooms are anticipated throughout the Golden State.

Previous superblooms, or an unusually high number of wildflowers, have drawn large crowds to California state parks. This year “the wildflower bloom is expected to be good to better-than-average” in parts of California, said Jorge Moreno, a spokesman for the California Department of Parks and Recreation. Wildflower season typically starts at the end of February and lasts until early May. In the Sierra foothills, you’re more likely to spot the colorful flowers starting in March.

Where to spot wildflowers in Northern California
It’s still too early to tell how big the blooms will be this year, but there have already been some sightings of flowers. Here are some parks to consider as wildflower season gets rolling. You’ll want to double check to see if flowers have bloomed yet before heading out:

South Yuba River State Park, in Nevada County, is hosting wildflower walks.
Stevens Trailhead, in Colfax, is another popular location for flower sightings, however the park doesn’t start seeing flowers until around May, according to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.
North Table Mountain near Oroville.
Jepson Prairie near Vacaville.
Hidden Falls, known for its California poppies, in Auburn.
Russian Ridge Preserve, in San Mateo County.
Sagehen Creek Loop near Truckee in Tahoe National Forest.

CLICK HERE to read the original article in the Sacramento Bee newspaper

Washoe Tribe signs agreement to co-manage State Parks lands

2/18/2023

TAHOE CITY, Calif. – Sierra State Parks Foundation announced this week an agreement between the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California and the Sierra District of California State Parks. Chairman of the Washoe Tribe Serrell Smokey and California State Parks Director Armando Quintero signed a memorandum of understanding between the Sierra District and the Tribe on a brisk, sunny morning at Donner Memorial State Park on Saturday, Jan. 28.

This five-year agreement formalizes the government-to-government relationship between the two entities, establishes a protocol for open discussions, and outlines the responsibilities of State Parks and the Tribe to promote successful cooperation, co-management, and collaboration for the mutual benefit of the Washoe Tribe and State Parks.

PHOTO: Standing (left to right): State Park Interpreter I Kaytlen Jackson; Tribal Affairs Program Analyst Dena Mitchell; Sierra District Natural Resources Chief Rich Adams; Sierra District Cultural Resources Chief Alexandra Neeb; Department Tribal Liaison/Cultural Resources Division Chief Leslie L. Hartzell, Ph.D.; Sierra District Superintendent Dan Canfield; State Park Interpreter II Jeremy Lin; Woodfords Colony Tribal Chairman Irvin Jim; Carson Colony Tribal Council Representative Everett Osorio; Sierra District Tribal Liaison/Archaeologist Scott Green; and Off-Reservation Tribal Council Representative Lydell Wyatt. Seated (left to right): State Park Director Armando Quintero, Washoe Tribal Member Jonathon Jim and Washoe Tribal Chairman Serrel Smokey. Photo from Ben Griswold, Sierra District.
Provided/Sierra State Parks Foundation

The MOU introduces Traditional Management Practices and Ecological Knowledge to the management of 12 State Park Units ted in the Washoe people’s traditional homeland. The mutually beneficial activities outlined in the MOU include:

Washoe Tribal access.
Co-management of Tribal traditional and cultural areas.
Partnering on forestry and natural resource projects.
Collaborating on interpretive themes, educational programs, public outreach, and collections management.

The 12 Sierra District state park units included are Burton Creek State Park, Cascade Creek Unit, D.L. Bliss SP, Donner Memorial SP, Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point SP, Emerald Bay SP, Grover Hot Springs SP, Kings Beach State Recreation Area, Lake Valley SRA, Tahoe SRA, Ward Creek Unit, and Washoe Meadows SP. The Sierra District and the Sierra State Parks Foundation look forward to working together with the Washoe Tribe as good stewards of the land and providing memorable experiences to future generations.

Quintero remarked that by creating these MOU agreements with Tribal entities, the department is meeting the goals of Gov. Jerry Brown’s Executive Order B-10-11, which requires the governor’s Tribal Advisor and the Administration to engage in government-to-government consultation with California Native American Tribes regarding policies that may affect Tribal communities, and also Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Executive Order N-15-19, which established the Truth and Healing Council.

Woodfords Community Tribal Chairman, Irvin Jim, spoke of how working with his late mother, Washoe elder Linda Shoshone, as a Tribal monitor in California State Parks, allowed him to immerse himself in the land and water where his people originated. Reflecting on the MOU, Chairman Jim said that “it is a beautiful thing for this to happen, my mother is smiling.”

“This proves to other states this can be done” and can serve as a template for “other Tribes to be able to access their lands across the nation,” Chairman Smokey added.

CLICK HERE to see original article and photo in the Tahoe Daily Tribune newspaper.

Several vehicle break ins at Hidden Falls Wednesday

2/16/2023

According to a trail user whose items were stolen, several cars and one horse rig was broken into in the middle of the day at the Hidden Falls trail head main parking lot yesterday, February 15, 2023. All items stolen were grabbed by breaking the door glass.

What was surprising was the boldness of the thieves. The kiosk attendant was present and there were several maintenance workers close by. Regardless, the thieves slipped out unnoticed.

Placer County Sheriff was called and the crimes were reported. Cameras will be checked and with luck they will catch the criminals.

Be aware that this type of crime usually comes in waves and we most likely will see break ins at other trail heads. Leave nothing of value in your vehicles when hiking or riding.

Truckee-Donner Land Trust to open reservations for Webber Camp March 1, 2023, 8:00 AM

2/14/2023

Mark your calendars and bookmark the reservations page (link below) to book your Webber Lake campsite on March 1 at 8 a.m.! The Land Trust will be opening June 16 through October 15 at that time, with the possibility of opening more dates depending on conditions in the future. Reservations go fast, so don't miss out!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Legal action started against Folsom Lake SRA Trails Plan

2/13/2023

PRESS RELEASE - Ace 4 Safe Trails formally objecting to Claim of Negative Declaration for Folsom Lake SRA Road and Trail Management Plan
Sent February 13, 2023
Contact: Ace 4 Safe Trails, PO Box 2025, Granite Bay, CA 95746
http://www.ace4safetrails.org

Hello Friends, neighbors and fellow trail users,
During the past 6 months Ace 4 Safe Trails has been hard at work on behalf of trail users.
We have been raising awareness of State Park trail managers and State Park and Recreation Commissioners about the serious safety concerns we have over Folsom Lake State Park manager's plans to add speeding mountain and E-bikes to existing trails at Folsom Lake SRA.

Ace 4 Safe Trails has spoken at several California State Park's and Park Commissioner's meetings, and we have sent them letters expressing our concerns with State Park's plan to implement "multi-use trails". Their multi-use trails plan, which combines all fast moving and slow moving trail users on the same single track trails is dangerous and it ruins the enjoyable experience in nature all trail users seek. Instead of creating stressful, unsafe multi-use trails, Ace 4 Safe Trails has been urging State Parks to provide separate high speed and low speed trails, which would be far safer and more enjoyable for Park visitors.

Due to State Park official's lack of response and their refusal to meet with us to discuss the issues, Ace 4 Safe Trails has concluded we must take legal action to stop State Park's ill-conceived Change-In-Use trail plans. We found an attorney who has the knowledge and experience, and who has successfully challenged State Parks in the past.

At the direction of Ace 4 Safe Trails, attorney Don Mooney recently informed State Parks we are formally objecting to their claim of a Negative Declaration for their Road and Trail Management Plan at Folsom Lake SRA. A Negative Declaration by State Parks is an attempt by them to avoid the scrutiny associated with an EIR (Environmental Impact Report) required under CEQA environmental and safety regulations.

Ace 4 Safe Trails is a small but dedicated group of concerned trail users with limited resources, and any contribution you could make to our legal fund will help us with our challenge to State Park's RTMP. Since Ace 4 Safe Trails is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, your contribution is tax deductible! (Our web site is new and still under construction, but is operational.)

To make it easy for you to donate, please visit http://www.ace4safetrails.org, and click on the "Donate" button. Or ACE 4 Safe Trails, PO Box 2025, Granite Bay, CA 95746

We greatly appreciate your support for the important work we are doing on behalf of our friends, neighbors and fellow trail users.

Mt. Bike races for regular and e-bikes take over Folsom Lake trails on many weekends this year

2/12/2023

Photos credit: Total Body Fitness (TBF)

Folsom Lake SRA administration warned other trail users that Total Body Fitness (TBF) will have many mt. bike races this year on their multi-use trails. For safety, it is advised that walkers, runners, horseback riders, dog walkers, seniors and children use other trails!

This weekend (Feb. 12, 2023) is the MTB Challenge, the third of six MTB Races in the TBF Spring MTB Series. This race will feature a seven-mile lap course held at Granite Beach, Folsom Lake SRA.
Back in 2023: E-Bike divisions for Men and Women.
For more information on this series, go here:
https://totalbodyfitness.com/site/race/mtb-challenge-2023

You can see the full 2023 Race Calendar here: https://totalbodyfitness.com/site/races/

BYLT NatureFest on four local trails in Grass Valley

2/11/2023

On SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2023 AT 9:30 AM join Bear Yuba Land Trust and Nevada County Library for the 3nd annual NatureFest in Grass Valley! Grab the family and head outside for a day full of self-guided fun and activities!

We’ll be set up at four local trailheads in Grass Valley to share activities and ideas to help you explore nature and enjoy the outdoors! With a special appearance by Woodsy Owl! Event day drop-ins welcome.

Participate at any of these four community trails:
Wildflower Ridge Trail (near downtown Grass Valley): Meet us at Twin Cities Church parking lot off of Rough & Ready HWY. Look for the BYLT Booth at the start of the trail.
Wolf Creek Trail (near downtown Grass Valley): Meet us at the Northstar Mining Museum parking lot at the corner of Mill St. and Allison Ranch Rd. in Grass Valley. Look for the BYLT Booth located near Wolf Creek.
Hirschman Trail (near the Rood Center in Nevada City): Meet us at the Cement Hill Road Trailhead, off Highway 49 past the Nevada County Government Center. Turn left into the unpaved driveway at 115 Cement Hill Road and look for the BYLT Booth in the small parking area on the left.
Cascade Canal Trail (on Banner Mountain in Nevada City): Meet us at the Cascade Canal Access Trail Parking Lot located off of Gracie Road in Nevada City. Park in the main parking lot and look for the BYLT Booth.

Come early to receive a NatureFest Goodie Bag! (quantities limited). All participants will receive a Nature Journal, pencil, and scavenger hunt as well as additional goodies for self-guided nature fun!
Everyone who RSVPs in advance for the event is automatically entered to win a free raffle prize! Additional raffle tickets will be awarded with completion and submission of the NatureFest activity card.

For more information, please contact us at info@bylt.org or (530) 272-5994.

CLICK HERE for the Facebook Event page.

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