From an equestrian today: "'Warning! About 50 feet past the base of the Training Hill Trail on your way to Cool, there is a wasp/hornet nest in the ground on the uphill side of the trail, about shoulder height to a horse. Easy to see if you are looking, and easy to pass if you aren't. We got swarmed in a big way on our way out today, and it's not the widest of trails to deal with that on. Be on the lookout!"
From Folsom Lake SRA calendar change: TBF Racing was holding their mountain bike race on Sunday the 24th, now will be run on Saturday the 23rd, after the XTERRA Gold Rush 10 Mile Trail Run & 5K.
Both events will be using the Granite Beach, Oak Point, Doton's Point and Beeks Bight multiuse trails. Start Time: 10:00 am End Time: 3:00 pm Distances:
CLICK HERE to see the changes on the mt. bike race web site. The season is open Sept. 23 - Oct. 29 in areas D3, D4 and D5. CLICK HERE for the California deer hunting map. Wearing vivid orange prevents hunters from mistaking a person or their horse for a game animal. Studies have shown that since people have been wearing orange, hunting accidents have decreased tremendously. Since it’s clear that that this high contrast color makes us more visible, we should wear as much of it as we can.
Make noise. Talk to your buddy, put bells on your horse. Bear bells work extremely well at alerting hunters of your presence. Stick to main trails and open fields, and avoid denser areas where it is harder for hunters to identify you. Avoid riding during low visibility parts of the day such as dawn and dusk. It's going to be super busy on the Folsom Lake SRA trails around Granite Beach this weekend! The annual Folsom Lake Trails Patrol Benefit Poker Ride is happening this Sunday, with camping Saturday night. TBF Racing is having two big events, the XTERRA Gold Rush 10 Mile Trail Run & 5K and the Gold Rush 40 mile MTB Race (mt. bikes), both take place on Saturday. So, if you like to ride horses, race bikes, or run...there is something for you! Big mama bear with cub was encountered on an Empire Mine SHP multiuse trail yesterday at about 4:40 pm. Two runners came around a corner and saw a big bear on her hind legs. She most likely heard running sounds coming toward her in the trail and stood up (common bear behavior) to see what the noise was. The runners turned around and went back on the trail, she didn't follow or threaten them, and they reported the encounter to the Rangers. Bears are being seen all over the Sierra, even in busy parks like Empire Mine. They are busy fattening up for the winter and are going into areas where more people might see them. Here is the bear safety information from Yellowstone National Park...a park famous for bears: Reacting to bears Distant Bears If a bear doesn't see you, keep out of sight and detour as far as possible behind and downwind of the bear. If the bear sees you, retreat slowly and leave the area. If possible, slowly walk upwind to let your scent reach the bear. Regardless of the distance, never approach the bear. If a bear stands up on two legs, it’s probably trying to gather information about you rather than being aggressive. Don't panic: just slowly back away. Surprise Encounters If the bear clacks its teeth, sticks out its lips, huffs, woofs, or slaps the ground with its paws, it is warning you that you are too close and are making it nervous. Heed this warning and slowly back away. Do not drop to the ground and “play dead.” Do not run, shout, or make sudden movements: you don't want to startle the bear. Running may trigger a chase response in the bear and you can't outrun a bear. Bears in Yellowstone chase down elk calves all the time. You do not want to look like a slow elk calf. Slowly putting distance between yourself and the bear may defuse the situation. In most cases, climbing a tree is a poor decision. Bears can climb trees (especially if there is something up the tree that the bear wants). Running to a tree or frantically climbing a tree may provoke a bear to chase you. People have been pulled from trees before they can get high enough to get away. Also, when was the last time you climbed a tree? It's probably harder than you remember. Charging Bears If a bear charges you after a surprise encounter, stay still and stand your ground. Most of the time, the bear is likely to break off the charge or veer away. If you run, you're likely to trigger a chase response from the bear. If have bear spray, this is the time to use it. Start spraying the charging bear when it is about 60 feet away or less. If the bear continues to charge, it's important not to drop to the ground and "play dead" until the bear makes contact, or the second before the bear makes contact. Drop to the ground; keep your pack on to protect your back. Lie on your stomach and clasp your hands over the back of your neck with your elbows protecting the sides of your face. Remain still and stay silent to convince the bear that you are not a threat. After the bear leaves, wait several minutes before moving. Listen and look around cautiously before you get up to make certain the bear is no longer nearby. If the bear is gone, get up and walk (don't run) out of the area. Remember, a sow grizzly needs time to gather up her cubs which may have climbed trees or hidden in nearby brush. If you get up too soon, she may attack again. During a surprise encounter where the bear is reacting defensively, you should not fight back. Fighting back will only prolong the attack and will likely result in more serious injuries. Since 1970, people who played dead when attacked by a bear during a surprise encounter in Yellowstone received only minor injuries 75% of the time. However, those that fought back during surprise encounters received very severe injuries 80% of the time. Curious or Predatory Bears Unlike a defensive bear that charges with its head low and ears laid back, a curious or predatory bear may slowly but persistently approach with its head up and ears erect. It may not use threat displays like huffing, blowing, barking, jaw-popping, hop charging, ground slapping, or bluff charging. If you're approached by a curious or predatory bear, grab your stuff, especially food, and move to the safety of a car or building. Do not run. Food can also be safety stored in bear boxes. If retreat is not an option, group up with other people and yell at the bear: it may retreat once it realizes you're human. If you have bear spray, get ready to use it. If the bear is moving slowly, you’ll have to wait until it’s 20 to 30 feet away before deploying bear spray. If you’re attacked by a curious or predatory bear, fight back using any available weapon (bear spray, rocks, sticks) to stop the bear's aggression. Fight back as if your life depends on it, because it does. Predatory attacks usually persist until the bear is scared away, overpowered, injured, or killed. Report Conflicts If you’re involved in a conflict with a bear, regardless of how minor, contact us or report it to a park ranger as soon as possible. If cell service is available, dial 911. The lives of other people, and the bear, may depend on it. Hikers Tips Be alert. See the bear before you surprise it. Watch for fresh tracks, scat, and feeding sites (signs of digging, rolled rocks, torn up logs, ripped open ant hills). Don't hike alone. Hike in groups of three or more people, bears rarely attack groups. Don't hike at dawn, dusk, or at night. Avoid hiking at dawn, dusk, or at night: during summer, that's when grizzly bears are most active. Make noise. When hiking, periodically yell "Hey bear!" to alert bears to your presence, especially when walking through dense vegetation/blind spots, traveling upwind, near loud streams, or on windy days. Avoid thick brush whenever possible. Carry bear spray and know how to use it. Bear spray is proven to be highly successful at stopping aggressive behavior in bears. Don't expect bears to see you first. In Yellowstone, bears hibernate for approximately five months each year and have only seven months of active time to obtain all of their nutritional needs. A bear that's feeding may not see you as quickly as you would think. Pay attention, and see the bear before it sees you...and before you surprise it. Stay on maintained trails. Research in Yellowstone has shown that people are more likely to be attacked by a bear when hiking off-trail. Avoid carcasses. Bears will guard and defend carcasses against other scavengers or humans. Dead ungulates will attract and hold many bears near the carcass site. It is risky to approach a carcass; many bears may be bedded nearby just out of sight. If you find a fresh carcass, leave the area immediately by the same route you approached. Report all carcasses to the nearest ranger station or visitor center. Stay with your stuff. Do not leave packs or bags containing food unattended, even for a few minutes. Bears learn new food sources quickly. Report Conflicts If you’re involved in a conflict with a bear, regardless of how minor, contact us or report it to a park ranger as soon as possible. If cell service is available, dial 911. The lives of other people, and the bear, may depend on it. This is a letter to the editor from Randy Rasmussen and Mark Larabee
Rasmussen is director of Public Lands & Recreation, Back Country Horsemen of America, and Larabee is associate director of communications for the Pacific Crest Trail Association. FUNDING FOR HEALTHY TRAILS: LETTER TO THE EDITOR "Oregonians increasingly seek outdoor adventure and renewal on public land--and trails provide ready access. Trails are the passport to beautiful vistas, streams and lakes, hiking, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, mountain biking and so much more. Photo Credit: Terry Richard Trail-based recreation creates jobs and is an economic boon to towns that serve as gateways to public land. Trails also enhance our health and quality of life. Yet Congress continues to cut funding for trails maintained by the U.S. Forest Service and other agencies. In the Pacific Northwest, trails can grow over or be blocked by downed timber. Wildfires obliterate them. Access to public land becomes diminished or lost. Profits from recreation-based tourism go unrealized. We represent nonprofit organizations with robust volunteer trail maintenance programs that partner with federal agencies to ensure safe and well maintained trails. Yet volunteers alone should not be expected to shoulder the workload when Congress cuts agency budgets. Agency expertise is essential to quality management and healthy partnerships. Volunteers become stretched thin. Then what? The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed a 2018 budget that again cuts the Forest Service's trails program. This trend needs to be reversed. It's fiscally irresponsible not to maintain beloved trails built over decades through taxpayer and volunteer support. U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley understands this. He is on the Senate Appropriations Committee that negotiates federal agency budgets. We are optimistic that he will carry the message that the 2018 budget should support our land managers and respect the benefits that safe and well-maintained trails provide. Randy Rasmussen and Mark Larabee Rasmussen is director of Public Lands & Recreation, Back Country Horsemen of America and Larabee is associate director of communications for the Pacific Crest Trail Association. To see the original article and photos, CLICK HERE. ============================================ Write to your California Senator! Sen. Kamela Harris <https://www.harris.senate.gov/content/contact-senator> 501 I Street Suite 7-600 Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone (916) 448 - 2787 Sen. Diane Feinstein <https://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact> One Post Street, Suite 2450 San Francisco, CA 94104 Phone: (415) 393-0707 http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2017/09/funding_for_healthy_trails_let.html Photo is of the Folsom Bike Pump Park.
From ARD District Administrator Kahl Muscott: "We will be hosting a walk of the proposed Bike (Pump) Park site on Thursday, September 21st from 6 – 7pm. This will be an opportunity to walk the site with ARD staff and see what is proposed. Please meet at the old building pad area, hear the “Notice of Project” sign. Please wear shoes or boots suitable for walking on uneven surfaces. Please also wear pants and shirts appropriate for such a setting. Thank you, Kahl Muscott, District Administrator Auburn Area Recreation and Park District (530) 885-8461 ext. 102 www.auburnrec.com " Copies of the environmental documents can be found on the front page of the ARD website CLICK HERE. ================================================== POSTED 8/29/2017: Proposed Auburn Bike Pump Park hearing postponed to Sept. 28, 2017 Photo of the Folsom Bike Pump Park. The Auburn Recreation District meeting regarding the Bike Pump Park has been rescheduled due to the amount of responses and comments made to their environmental document. Here is the note from ARD: From: Kahl Muscott <[email protected]> Subject: Proposed Auburn Bike Park - Hearing Reschedule Good morning all – The date of the Auburn Area Recreation and Park District (ARD) Board hearing to consider the proposed Maidu Bike Park project and environmental document has been changed to September 28, 2017. This change was made to allow additional time for ARD and the Bureau of Reclamation to review and consider all comments received on the environmental document. You are encouraged to attend the Board hearing at which verbal comments on the project will be received. The hearing will take place at the Canyon View Community Center (471 Maidu Dr., Auburn, CA 95603). The meeting will start at 6:00pm. Copies of the environmental documents can be found on the front page of the ARD website CLICK HERE. Please share this message with anyone who may be interested in attending. Thank you, Kahl Muscott, District Administrator Auburn Area Recreation and Park District (530) 885-8461 ext. 102 www.auburnrec.com Wildfires and smoke right now - OES California Wildfire Situation Awareness website and more9/4/2017
Wildfires are ablaze all over California and western Nevada, the areas we hike and ride. Before you go, to see all local wild fires affecting public lands, CLICK HERE. for the California Wildfire Situation Awareness map. CalFire also hosts an informative web map site CLICK HERE.
SMOKE, TOO! It's not just fire that is danger for you and your pets, smoke inhalation is dangerous, especially for athletic people and animals, and and can affect lungs for a lifetime. To see the smoke plumes, CLICK HERE. Everyone, be safe and don't take chances in areas of fire or smoke! During the past few years, Hidden Falls Regional Park has experienced overflow parking conditions on weekends and holidays. In an effort to assure visitors of a parking space when they arrive, and to reduce the traffic impact on the surrounding neighbors, the County will be implementing an online, reservation-based system of entry beginning on September 1, 2017.
For parking reservations: https://secure.rec1.com/CA/placer-ca/catalog Patrons may begin going online starting August 30th to reserve parking spots for September 1st – October 14th. Since the reservation system will be new to patrons of the park, we want to provide ample time for users to become familiar with the system prior to charging for reservations. Starting October 15th, we will begin collecting fees for reservations made for peak times. For parking reservations: https://secure.rec1.com/CA/placer-ca/catalog During high volume days (weekends, holidays, and some Fridays) during mild weather seasons (spring, early summer and fall) users will be required to pay $8.00 per vehicle for a full day reservation. Except for some holiday times, there will not be a charge Mondays through Thursdays, nor will a reservation be required on those days. Patrons need to obtain reservations before arriving at the park via an online calendar linked to our web site. At the end of the reservation process, a parking reservation pass will be issued. Please bring this pass to the park with you, as you will need to place it on the dashboard of your vehicle during your stay at the park. The website will allow you to see which days require a reservation fee and will allow you to purchase multiple reservations in advance. With a full day reservation, you can arrive and leave any time you please (sunrise to sunset). From experience, we know that the parking lot tends to thin out after about 2:30 in the afternoon, even during days that experience overcrowded conditions earlier in the day. So in order to allow people to take advantage of space left after the parking lot naturally thins out, we are prepared to issue a set number of partial day passes for $4.00 to people wishing to arrive later in the day. We will adjust the number of passes available as we observe parking trends once the new system is up and running, trying to allow as many visitors as the parking lot can comfortably hold. The horse trailer area will be reserved in the same way as the automobile area (same prices during the same peak days), but it will have its own separate quota of reservations to make sure the full gravel horse trailer area is kept just for trailered vehicles. We have high expectations that the net result of the new system will be a happier experience for everyone who comes to the park, as well as those who live around the entrance to the park, and that the overcrowding problems will become the exception, few and far between. For parking reservations: https://secure.rec1.com/CA/placer-ca/catalog To see the original information from the Placer County Parks and Grounds webpages, go HERE. |
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