Blog Archives

It's ground wasp time again...look out on the Ditch Trail, Tahoe National Forest

7/29/2020

UPDATE 8/6/2020
Wasp traps were put up, and they are working, but the nest is still very active. Two hikers were stung yesterday, Wednesday 8/5/2020. Be careful.

Posted 7/29/2020
Two Tahoe National Forest Mounted Patrol members riding on the Ditch Trail out of the Gold Country Equestrian Trail Head identified this ground wasp nest where wasps have recently attacked horses and humans this past week.
Look for them on the south-west side of Ditch Trail, not far from the Meyer Trail intersection.
GPS coordinates are 39.31466, -120.91878
Best for hikers, bikers and equestrians to avoid this section of the trail.

Late July and early August starts the ground wasp attack season in the Sierra. The nests increase in size and population throughout the summer and attacks are usually the worst in September. The wasps continue to be a problem until the cold weather puts them back to sleep.

If you are allergic to stings, it is best to carry two Epi-pens with you.

Take action! CEQA under attack again, our last stand against development of our public lands in California. NO on AB 3279

7/27/2020

From the Sierra Nevada Alliance:
Thank you for your past efforts to oppose bills that threatened to weaken the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). CEQA protects not only our environment but also public health and the livability of low-income communities. Unfortunately, CEQA is under attack yet again.

We need your help to defeat AB 3279, a new anti-CEQA bill that is expected to come up for a vote in the state Senate Environmental Quality committee in the next couple of weeks.
AB 3279 seeks to undermine the public’s ability to use CEQA to bring and win a legal challenge against proposed development projects. The bill would effectively prevent many community groups and nonprofits from challenging polluting projects. If you have 1-3 minutes to spare today, please tweet, call and write letters to the following Senators to let them know you oppose AB 3279 (and let us know when you take action)! See below for sample tweets and a phone script, key messages to include in your letters, and contact information. Please also forward this alert to your members and networks.

Contact the Senators below:

1. Senator Ben Allen (Chair, Environmental Quality Committee): 26th District, including Westside, Hollywood, South Bay of Los Angeles County
           Call: 916-651-4026
Tweet: @BenAllenCA
Submit a letter online: https://sd26.senate.ca.gov/contact/message

2. Senator Nancy Skinner, 9th District, including Richmond, Berkeley, Oakland, San Leandro
           Call: 916-651-4009
Tweet: @NancySkinnerCA
           Submit a letter online: https://sd09.senate.ca.gov/email-senator

3. Senator Jerry Hill, 13th District, including Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Pacifica, part of South San Francisco
           Call: 916-651-4013
           (no public Twitter account)
           Submit a letter online: https://sd13.senate.ca.gov/send-e-mail
Sample phone script:
“Hi, my name is ______, I live in ___(city, if in district)___ and I’m from __(org)__. I am calling to respectfully urge the Senator to vote NO on AB 3279 when it is heard in the Environmental Quality Committee.
I oppose AB 3279 because it… [DRAW FROM SUGGESTED POINTS BELOW OR FILL IN YOUR OWN REASON HERE].
Thank you for your time.

Key points to emphasize in your calls and letters:

AB 3279 will prevent community groups and nonprofits from challenging polluting projects at all, by taking away their ability to prepare the administrative record and minimize record costs.
AB 3279 will allow developers to pollute our air and water and harm the health and safety of low-income communities and communities of color without consequence. Communities must be able to fairly access the courts and enforce CEQA to protect their health.
AB 3279 proposes to make it more difficult for groups to enforce CEQA in the name of housing, but weakening CEQA will not increase affordable housing. Independent studies show that CEQA is not a direct contributor to California’s housing crisis. Factors other than CEQA, including local land-use zoning rules and under-resourced planning agencies, pose the greatest barriers to development.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, now is absolutely not the time to weaken public health protections, including environmental protections designed to reduce the public’s exposure to pollutants.

To read a bit more, CLICK HERE: https://sierranevadaalliance.org/actions/no-on-ab3279/

Western States Trail impassable close to Ford's Bar

7/13/2020

The following is from Nicole Wertz, WSTF Board of Governors Trails Committee Leader...
"I got a report late yesterday afternoon that a horse and rider were riding about one mile east of Fords Bar on the Western States Trail. The trail gave way beneath them and the trail bed that sloughed away is now not passable by horses.

Stay off of this section of trail until we can get an assessment and a fix for this piece."

Mountain Biking, 1992. Despite education, trail conflicts are getting worse

7/11/2020

Can you be part of the solution? Hikers, equestrians, and other foot traffic trail users continue to complain about speeding and disrespectful bikers. More bikes on the trail during the COVID-19 pandemic, STRAVA, jumps and "flow" features has made conflicts even worse. This brochure is one of the most comprehensive concerning solutions and how to eliminate trail conflicts. It was written 28 years ago by the New England Mountain Biking Association. Do you see any progress?

A Mountain Bicyclist's Guide to Responsible Riding
Your mountain bike will bring you a great deal of fun and adventure. Woodlands, meadows, rolling hills, woods roads, single and double-tracks; some of these experiences are as close as our local state forests, parks and reservations. Be aware that not all properties are open to mountain biking, but in those that are, remember that you'll be sharing these lands with hikers, runners, equestrians and nature lovers.

It is our responsibility to insure that our use of the trails does not spoil that of other trail users, or spoil the trails themselves.
The actions of a few individuals often speak for a whole group, and mountain bikes are no exception. We ALL must engage in a public relations and education effort to counter and eliminate any negative image which can cause us to be excluded from using public lands. It is quite possible to have fun and be responsible at the same time (without much effort!). Remember that the future of the sport is in YOUR hands.

All Encounters Should be Positive
Remember we are the new folks in the woods. We must go out of our way to make a good impression on everyone we meet. Showing off, doing stunts, or riding fast can tarnish that good impression quickly. Your finely-honed riding skills can look dangerous, crazy and irresponsible to everyone else.

When Encountering Hikers
Hikers have the right of way, so slow down, stop or pull to the side of the trail. Remember that they are there for a quiet, peaceful experience, but say hi, be friendly. When approaching from the rear, slow to their speed, and let them know you're there (before you're right behind them). You cannot imagine how much of a shock it can be to meet up with or be passed by a quiet, swift bicycle. Expect that children or dogs will walk right in front of you as you pass. They are curious.

When Encountering Equestrians (and their Hoofed Friends)
Horses have the right of way. Being surprised by bicycles can be a frightening and unpleasant experience for some equestrians. Give both the horse and the rider a chance to get used to meeting bicycles in the woods. A horse's instinct is to run when confronted with the unfamiliar. Never assume that an equestrian is aware of your presence or in control of the horse. If approaching from the front, ALWAYS stop and let them pass unless the rider indicates otherwise. If from the rear, slow to their speed, and from 50 to 100 feet away, ask if it safe to pass slowly or walk your bike around them. Say hi, be friendly, admire the horses. The spoken word is the first indication to the horse that you are a person and not a threat.

Slow DownExcessive speed is the single most common complaint that other trail users have about us.
Slow down if you don't have absolutely unrestricted vision of the trail ahead. Assume that someone else is just out of sight, and be prepared to stop (in control) when you turn the corner. The most important and most difficult thing to remember when riding with your buddies is to save racing for organized races when you know that you'll be the only one involved in a crash.

Ride "Softly"
The most objectionable sign of our presence is a degraded trail.
Conservationists love to point to bicycle ruts and use them as a reason or justification for banning use from suitable riding areas, so never ride when and where you will leave ruts. This means carrying your bike across soft spots and walking around mud puddles so you don't widen them. This means not riding on rainy days, especially during the spring mud season. It is temping to get out on that first beautiful spring day, but this is a time when the trails are fragile. Some trails are especially soft and wet when thawing. Damage can be done this time of year, and can take a lot of time to repair.
Don't hesitate to walk or carry your bike in technical or muddy sections. Learn cyclocross dismounts, mounts and carrying techniques if you are concerned with efficiency. Carry your bike through streams. The silt stirred up can smother water critters and their eggs. The cross-ruts can also divert the stream to create a puddle.
Be careful to not widen trails by riding over vegetation alongside the trail. Stay in the middle of the trail, and don't be too concerned about avoiding rocks. Your mountain bike is designed to go over rough terrain, and sometimes the "line" over rocks is the easier one. Keeping your weight on the saddle or over the rear wheel helps lighten the front of the bike so it will roll over rocks more easily, and with a strategic pull on the handlebars, larger rocks won't be an obstacle.

Don't skid. Don't brake slide.
Locking up the brakes in not only an inefficient way to ride, but can degrade hills by forming gullies that water funnels down, can rut sensitive trails, and always indicates a lack of control to others. Modulating brakes - both front and back - will prevent skidding and increase control. Slow, even pedal stokes prevent "spinning-out" up hills (which can cause ruts), as well as increasing the chance that you'll make it over the top. Finesse is often more successful than brute strength. Don't be embarrassed to walk or run your bike up or down steep hills.

Keep in mind that a lot of work goes into building and maintaining trails.
Go easy on bridges and stone or wood steps. Respect water bars, which are logs or piles of dirt or rocks placed across trails to prevent erosion. Ride them in such a way that you will not degrade them. This can be done by riding perpendicular to the bar, lifting first the front wheel, then the read wheel over them. The key to lifting the front wheel is to first push down, then pull up. Use the pedals to lift the rear wheel.

Riding Habits for All Times

Never take shortcuts or cut corners on tight turns or switchbacks.
Ride only on existing trails, don't make new ones, including "turn-outs" around fallen logs.
Don't make "eye brows."
Respect private property.
Respect nordic ski tracks by staying off of snow-covered cross-county ski trails.
Never litter. Try to pack out more than you bring in.
Learn to fix a flat, repair a chain, etc. and carry tools that you will need to get yourself out of the woods.
Wear a helmet.

Get Involved!
Make some new friends - get to know the staff in the public land areas in which you ride. Help them manage the area by informing them of fallen trees, large litter sites or illicit behavior. Volunteer for trail maintenance or clean-up days. A day or two a year is a small price to pay for the privilege of riding in the woods. Showing land managers that you are willing to give something back to the land that you use makes a huge impression. When they know they can count on us for assistance, policy makers are likely to decide in our favor.

So, happy trails! but remember, the future of mountain biking is in YOUR hands.

https://www.nemba.org/news/share-trails-brochure

Closing extended to July 27, Empire Mine Penn Gate staging now closed from July 20 - 27, 2020

7/11/2020

UPDATE July 11, 2020
State Parks has extended the closure until July 27, 2020.

Previous post
June 30, 2020
Grass Valley, CA - There will be trail maintenance and work on the sand dam at Empire Mine SHP from July 20 to July 24. Penn Gate will be used for heavy equipment and maintenance crews. There will be no access to the parking or the Hard Rock Trail and both the vehicle and horse trailer areas will be closed.

Omega Scenic Overlook on Highway 20 to close through July 27

7/9/2020

The Omega Scenic Overlook and trailhead parking along Highway 20 between Nevada City and Interstate 80 will be closed from July 9-27 while Caltrans crews remove the aging vault toilet, picnic table and shade structure.
The vault toilet and infrastructure are being removed upon agreement between Caltrans and the US Forest Service, according to a Tahoe National Forest news release. With no electricity and running water, and due to other factors such as accessibility compliance, it is not cost effective for Caltrans to improve and/or transition the site to an official State Rest Area. Nor is it cost effective for the US Forest Service to maintain the site in its current state.
After the removal, the US Forest Service will continue to maintain the parking area and short trail leading to the Omega Scenic Overlook, a supported platform where visitors can observe the massive South Yuba River drainage and beyond.
Omega Diggings and nearby Alpha Diggings display remnants of historic hydrological mining that occurred throughout the region in the mid-1800s. The Sawyer Decision of 1883 ended the practice of hydrological mining and its harmful effects to watershed health and water quality.
The parking area will be utilized by Caltrans, under special-use permit, as a vehicle turnaround/chain control staging area during the winter months.

For complete article in Gold Country Media, click here.

Hidden Falls no longer requiring reservations during weekdays

7/7/2020

Reservations Information: We are not requiring weekday reservations anymore at this time. Reservations are required on weekends and holidays only. This can be subject to change based on COVID-19 restrictions. Please keep checking this page for updates on reservation status. You may make reservations below.

NOTICE:
Hidden Falls Regional Park COVID-19 response
To the extent we safely can, we are pleased to keep this facility open as a place for essential outdoor exercise for local residents during these challenging times subject to the following protocols:
Stay Local – our intent is to keep Hidden Falls open to local residents for essential outdoor time and exercise. In accordance with the Governor’s directives, please do not travel outside of your community to visit Hidden Falls during this Covid-19 crisis. While our reservation system does not screen for the origin of visitors, our ability to keep Hidden Falls open depends on your honesty and adherence to the social distancing guidelines below.
Reservations Information: We are not requiring weekday reservations anymore at this time. Reservations are required on weekends and holidays only. This can be subject to change based on COVID-19 restrictions. Please keep checking this page for updates on reservation status. You may make reservations below.
Social Distancing Measures:

Stay at least 6 feet away from non-household members
Face coverings are recommended when outside your home in Placer County
Overlook decks, picnic areas and benches are closed.
Portable toilets are open but please provide your own hand sanitizer.
Check status before beginning your trip. As conditions surrounding the Covid-19 response change rapidly, please check status before you begin your trip. Reservations and open status are subject to change with short notice.

Please be considerate of people around you and neighbors in the rural surroundings. The park can only remain open if visitors conduct themselves in an orderly and safe manner. Vehicles attempting to park along roadways outside designated parking areas are subject to ticketing.
During wet weather, trails are subject to use restrictions by horses and bicycles.
Thank you for your patience as we all learn to cope with the threat of Covid-19 together.
For more general inquiries around COVID-19 and Placer County’s directives, view current information at www.placer.ca.gov/coronavirus. Public hotline also available at 530-886-5310.

Tree across Pioneer Trail out of Skillman Horse Camp

7/5/2020

One of the alert campers at Skillman Horse Camp, posted this today. "Tree across the path on Pioneer Trail that heads out above campsite #4."
This has been sent to Gold Country Trails Council who will work with the Tahoe National Forest maintenance folks to clear this tree.

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