Blog Archives

Rattlesnakes are out early this year

3/28/2024

It just hasn't been that cold this year and the rattlesnakes are taking advantage of it. Saturday, one was seen at Hidden Falls Saturday, and today one was in the middle of the lower trail at Folsom Lake SRA. Rattlesnakes are coming out of of their dens, basking in the sun, and then becoming more active - this is a full month early.

Keep an eye out on the trails below 1500 feet, especially at Cronan Ranch, Folsom Lake SRA, Auburn SRA. In our area, rattlesnakes bite hikers, bikers, runners, dogs, and horses every year, usually starting in mid-April. This year, starting now, in March.

- Keep your dogs ON LEASH so they don't get bitten. Rattlesnake avoidance training is available all year round. See trainers online, such as "Get Rattled."
- Many horses will alert you to snakes - equestrians should really listen to their horses who can hear and smell them way before their riders can.
- When hiking wear long loose pants and high boots.
- STAY on the trails. It's almost impossible to see the snakes in high grass.
- Mt. bikers, slow down, so you don't run over them (and get bit in the process).

SNAKE FACTS
Most people bitten by rattlesnakes have inadvertently stepped or ridden over them. Snakes detect movement by sensing vibrations in the ground. Their eyes see well even in low light. Rattlesnake bites can be dangerous but are rarely fatal to humans. With proper medical treatment, including antivenin, bites are usually not serious. Rattlesnakes can strike 2/3rds their length, and they are wonderfully camouflaged in the same color grass.

NOT ALL RATTLE!
Young rattlesnakes do not yet have their rattles, though they are as dangerous as adults, according to the National Park Service at Yosemite. Furthermore, some adults may lose their rattles, so it is a good idea look out for the triangular head. (In Folsom Lake, for example, rattlesnakes that rattle get killed, those that don't...don't. Meaning that after several generations, we have many families of silent snakes.)
After the rattle, rattlesnakes’ most distinctive physical feature is their triangular head. Also, they have vertical pupils, like cat’s eyes.

RATTLESNAKES ARE LOCAL
Generation after generation of rattlesnake will use the same dens, sometimes the same den for more than 100 years. Upon leaving their dens, they like to sun themselves on rocks, trails, and other open places. Though they are not nocturnal, in the hot summer months they may be more active at night.

CALIFORNIA KING SNAKES ARE GOOD SNAKES!
Despite their venom, rattlesnakes are no match for California King snakes, which are fond of putting them on their dinner menus. DON'T KILL CALIFORNIA KING SNAKES! (pictures below)

Spenceville Wildlife Area closed for turkey hunt March 30 through April 7, 2024

3/17/2024

Every year, the Spenceville Wildlife Area is CLOSED for the official CA Fish and Game turkey hunt. It will be closed from March 30, the opening day of turkey season, to April 7 this year. This means no hiking, no horse back riding, nothing but hunting to licensed hunters who have won the lottery picks.

BCHA and trails community thanks Congress for not cutting trails-related budgets

3/15/2024

Press Release: Tahoe National Forest developing multi-use trail connecting Nevada City and Truckee

3/14/2024

Release Date: Mar 14, 2024

Tahoe National Forest’s Pines to Mines Trail will welcome equestrians, pedestrians, bicyclists and Class 1 e-bike users on the new 72-mile trail network. The trail’s development aims to increase national forest recreation access for multiple user groups and abilities while supporting local economic development. Pines to Mines will include approximately 50 miles of existing trail with 22 miles of new trail planned to begin construction this year.

“The Tahoe National Forest strives to offer diverse and accessible recreation opportunities for all ages and abilities,” said acting Tahoe National Forest Supervisor Matt Jedra. “Pines to Mines will be an asset to our region and we are happy to offer another recreation destination that not only promotes increased public access to our national forest, but also has the potential to support and grow our local economy.”

The trail will boast miles of stunning vistas and guide users past remote lakes, canyons and meadows. The Pines to Mines Trail will include one end of the trail at the existing Pioneer Trail in Nevada City, Calif. and the other at the east end of the Donner Lake Rim Trail in Truckee, Calif. There are several existing trailheads for entrance/exit along the planned 72-mile course with the potential for additional trailheads in the future if there is a need.

The inclusion of Class 1 e-bikes as an approved use on the trail expands access to individuals that may not be able to walk or ride a traditional bicycle as far or long. E-bike technology has the potential to include user groups of all ages and attract more diverse users to explore their public land in a socially and ecologically responsible way. Class 1 e-bikes are equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the e-bike reaches the speed of 20 mph. Studies completed during project analysis indicated that Class 1 e-bikes are similar to traditional mountain bikes in terms of components, relative speeds and impacts to trails.
(Many public comment letters contradicted this statement.)

“Tahoe National Forest has allowed e-bike use on over 2,000 miles of motorized forest roads and 35 miles of recently designated multi-use trails on the Truckee Ranger District,” said Tahoe National Forest Truckee District Ranger Jonathan Cook-Fisher. “This expansion of trail open to Class 1 e-bikes further improves recreation access for users of all cycling abilities. As always, users on any trail are reminded to make trail etiquette and safety a priority.”

Trail etiquette is the polite way to use trails and allows everyone to enjoy the outdoors and have a good time while being safe and courteous. It is every trail user's responsibility and right to ensure their own safety and expect safe practice from other trail users. When traveling multi-use trails, users may encounter many different forms of trail use, such as hikers, bikers, horseback riders or off-road vehicles on motorized routes. Therefore, the user must adjust to different regulations—who passes first, who slows down, who gets the right of way. A basic etiquette rule is “Wheels Yield to Heels.” Bicyclists and e-bikers yield to all other users while hikers and walkers yield to horseback riders.

Completion of new Pines to Mines trail construction is contingent on available funding and resources. Tahoe National Forest will continue to work with partner groups to identify grant opportunities and funding sources to complete trail construction and recreation facility improvements such as increased signage and trailhead infrastructure. Trail proponents and partners that have assisted the forest in project development, funding and implementation include Bear Yuba Land Trust, Bicyclists of Nevada County, County of Nevada, Gold Country Trails Council, Truckee Donner Land Trust, Truckee Trails Foundation and Trust for Public Land.

The Pines to Mines Trail Project began analysis in 2022. Extensive public outreach and comment opportunities were provided by the forest to gather insight from interested parties and organizations. Tahoe National Forest incorporated public feedback into the project’s decision notice published today, March 14, 2024. To read the decision notice and Pines to Mines project documents visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/tahoe/?project=61221.

Release Date: Mar 14, 2024
Contact(s): Lauren Faulkenberry

Supervisor's Office
Nevada City, CA
(530) 265-4531
American River Ranger District
Foresthill, CA
(530) 492-5631

Sierraville Ranger District
Sierraville, CA
(530) 994-3401

Truckee Ranger District
Truckee, CA
(530) 587-3558

Yuba River Ranger District
Camptonville, CA
(530) 362-8259

CLICK HERE to see the original Press Release from Tahoe National Forest

Buttermilk Trail is closed, but there is lots to do in the Yuba River State Park at Bridgeport

3/14/2024

“The grass is green, the oaks are beginning to show their fresh new leaves, and the wildflowers are beginning to bloom along the South Yuba River State Park at Bridgeport.

A washout of the trail along the popular Buttermilk Bend trail has that area closed beyond a clearly marked sign, but the area just before the closure is still open and also contains a wildflower viewing area.

Park officials have assessed the damage to the trail and are now deciding on what route to take in order to repair it. Rough estimates of when the trail and that portion of the park can become accessible again ranged from, possibly by the summer time, to possibly next year.

Also for wildflower displays at the park, Sierra Gold Parks Foundation volunteer Syd Brown recommends the Point Defiance loop trail during this time of year. It follows the South Yuba River towards Point Defiance and Englebright Reservoir before looping back for a total of about three miles. “It’s a little bit of a scramble. Not wide and flat like Buttermilk,” Brown said, and warned of poison oak, which is already showing itself off of most trails there.

A Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) work crew is continuing their work on improving ADA accessible trails along the Kneebone Family Cemetery loop trail. Though they are expected work on certain days through the course of the next months, they have already completed much work improving trails and reinforcing a picnic area that was damaged during previous high water events.

Spring Fest at Bridgeport is also an upcoming event that folks can plan for on Saturday April 6th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. where there will be music, games and activities, keynote speakers, and of course, the wildflowers.”

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

Public Invited to Comment on Nevada County Recreation Master Plan Recommendations

3/12/2024

Nevada County needs your input on recommendations for the draft Recreation & Resiliency Master Plan (Master Plan), which is now available for public feedback.

The County is hosting a virtual meeting on March 20th from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., during which the public can learn more about the Master Plan recommendations, ask questions, and provide feedback. (Virtual meeting information is posted on the Nevada County Recreation website at NevadaCountyCA.gov/Recreation.)

Throughout 2023, community input was received on recreation needs and opportunities through a variety of surveys and outreach. The Master Plan is a summary of ideas and information provided by community and agency stakeholders, residents and visitors along with recommendations that may enhance recreation access, support health and safety, preserve natural resources, and increase economic vitality.

The Master Plan, led by the Nevada County Community Development Agency and consultant Design Workshop, identifies eight focus areas, or initiatives, to address and improve recreation throughout Nevada County.

The focus areas include:

Community & Regional Park System
Recreation Outposts
Towns to Towns Trail System
Recreation & Resiliency Hub Network
River Access Management
Destination Donner Summit
Sustainable Recreation & Communications
One Centralized Hub for Recreation Resources & Programming

Details on the need, goals, and purpose for each focus area can be reviewed at NevadaCountyRecreation.com/plan. The Story Map at the website will be available for review starting March 12, 2024.

Your feedback is essential to the integrity and success of Master Plan goals as the process nears completion. To provide your feedback, visit the website and click on the “Take Final Survey” button. All are invited to participate! After receiving your feedback in March, the full plan will be made available for public review and comment in April.

Submit your feedback via the survey here or visit any Nevada County library branch.
For residents in Western Nevada County, the survey also provides an opportunity to determine the future of parks and recreation in your area. Additional input will be gathered for identifying specific localized needs for recreation facilities such as fields, play space, skate or bike parks, sports leagues, programming, and community events that are closer to household residences.

To see the original press release, CLICK HERE.

To receive notifications and the latest news, sign up at NevadaCountyCA.gov/Recreation

Future trails connecting Truckee to Nevada City in planning stages making Tahoe forests more accessible

3/2/2024

March 1, 2024 - The Pines to Mines Trail Project proposes development of a multi-use native surface trail system connecting Nevada City to Truckee. The system would be approximately 68 miles in length and would include existing Forest Service trails and new trail construction.

The project is currently under analysis, however; the latest milestone was the Forest Plan Amendment Decision Document made available on January 1, 2024, according to the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA).

The proposed trail would run along Highway 20 and north of Interstate Highway 80 through the Yuba River Ranger District, Sierraville Ranger District, and Truckee Ranger District.

Residents, community organizations, and local businesses have expressed a need to expand public access to trails and open space, support economic development, improve sustainable recreation opportunities, and connect the western and eastern portions of Nevada County with a multi-use trail.
The initial public scoping action has been revised to include corrections based on updated data and map information, refinements to provide additional resource protections, and modifications to address public comments received during scoping.

A 30-day scoping period was completed in January of 2022 where a scoping letter and map was distributed to approximately 60 individuals, entities, groups, and Tribes disclosing information and seeking public comment on the Project, according to the Draft EA.

As a result of scoping, written timely comments were received from 159 individuals.
Comments included a desire to make the trail accessible for individuals with disabilities.
“It is an amazing project for recreational purposes that increases access for many more people who are not equestrians, strong hikers, or experienced outdoor enthusiasts,” Lauren Faulkenberry, public affairs officer for the U.S. Forest Service, said.

"Opposition to allowing e-bikes was identified in 73 of the public comment letters, according to the Draft EA, while 45 of the public comment letters supported the use of e-bikes on the trails. Concerns about allowing motorized vehicles on the trails were mentioned in four of the public comment letters, others requested more information regarding the management and maintenance of the trails, and the speeds of travel among the various groups of users."

The potential for bicyclists to create jumps and ramps were also noted in public comments.
“It is proposed as a multi-use trail, but the specific classes of that are to be determined. The next steps will be to coordinate the objectives of all the comments,” Faulkenberry said.

The construction and completion of the Pines to Mines Trail Project will depend on funding.
There are several alternatives, such as rerouting, allowing or not allowing motorized vehicles on the trails, and how each phase of the Project will be implemented.

Environmental mitigations for various species have also been considered. “The Project would not affect species listed by the United States Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service as threatened or endangered that do not occur or have no suitable habitat within the analysis area. This includes California red-legged frog, Foothill yellow-legged frog, Yosemite toad, winter run chinook, Sacramento River Central Valley spring-run chinook, Central Valley steelhead, Lahontan cutthroat trout, and Delta smelt,” according to page 27 of the Draft EA.

To contact Staff Writer Marianne Boll-See, email [email protected]

To see the complete article in The Union newspaper, click HERE.

Way Too Cool run cancelled due to high winds

3/1/2024

Post from Way Too Cool Run:
Friends, it is with a very heavy heart that we have to cancel this years Way Too Cool. Please know this is not a decision we came to lightly.

The creeks are running too fast, too cold, and too deep to risk people’s safety in crossing them. The winds will gust up to 60 mph, which guarantees trees will come down—it’s not a possibility, it’s a certainty. A man in San Jose died after being struck by a falling tree in the big storm on February 4. It happens. We can be a rough and tumble lot, but there’s a level of risk that passes from YOLO into reckless irresponsibility, and the conditions on Saturday promise to pass that threshold. We tried moving the race to Sunday, but the conditions will continue to be unambiguously dangerous.

Registered runners, please check your email for more details

With love,
The Way Too Sad NorCalUltras team
See less
— in Cool, CA.

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