Enjoy the Beauty of California All Year Long with a 2019 Planner. The Bureau of Land Management manages 15 million acres of public lands in California - nearly 15 percent of the state - and 1.6 million acres in northwestern Nevada. This year's monthly planner features stunning public lands across the state with impressive employee photography.
​Get your FREE planner while supplies last. (BLM website) https://www.blm.gov/ca/forms/offers/index.php?issueReq=833

Fall, before the snow, is a lovely time to hike or ride our foothills and Sierra trails. And to be thankful that for all trail users there are lovely public trails to experience. We thank and support the all the volunteer trail maintenance groups and our public land managers and hard working staff. Happy thanksgiving from Mother Lode Trails! 

SACRAMENTO, Calif.— California State Parks closed a number of state parks as a result of the Camp, Hill and Woolsey fires. Some parks were closed out of precaution, while others were impacted such as Lake Oroville State Recreation Area, and Leo Carrillo and Malibu Creek state parks. All department employees are accounted for and safe.
Camp Fire Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park: Closed, not on fire.
Clay Pit State Vehicular Recreation Area: Was closed, but is now open. 
Lake Oroville State Recreation Area: Partially closed. Active fires remain at Lime Saddle Campground, Nelson Bar day-use area, Dark Canyon and Vinton Gulch cartop launch areas. The marina is currently safe, but fire is burning north of it. Thermalito North Forebay remains closed for fire operations. The South Forebay and the visitor center have reopened. Bidwell Canyon is open only to allow residents to check on their houseboats, but no boats are allowed on the water due to fire suppression activities. Lake Oroville webcams are back up, but may be intermittent due to heavy smoke affecting the solar batteries. 
Wildfire conditions are continually shifting, therefore California State Parks advises the public to avoid the closed state parks and any other areas that are closed. 
Individuals with camping reservations are being contacted directly by California State Park’s reservation system, ReserveCalifornia™. Refunds are being provided.
Our hearts go out to all those affected by the wildfires. Thank you to all of the firefighters and first responders, including California State Park’s Rangers, Lifeguards and staff members, for their help. For the latest fire conditions and evacuations, please visit www.fire.ca.gov/current_incidents. 
Recent wildfires have impacted air quality in many regions statewide. Please check air quality before visiting state parks at airnow.gov.
Jorge Moreno  I   Information Officer   I   (916) 661-2598

CLICK HERE to see the original Press Release.

There is a dense smoke advisory over most of the Mother Lode Trails coverage area. If you are hiking or riding and can see and smell the smoke, particulates can be drawn into your lungs when your exercise. The same for your dogs and horses.
​
To see where the smoke is now, check out the California Smoke Info page.

In honor of Veterans Day, California State Parks will give military members a free day at more than half of its parks.
Veterans, active duty and reserve military members will get free admission to 144 state parks Monday, as announced in a news release by the state Department of Parks and Recreation. The participating parks are the 134 on the “California Explorer” annual pass list, (this link is for a clear PDF of all State Parks) eight vehicular recreation areas.
Other sites near Sacramento include include Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park, Prairie City State Vehicular Recreation Area and Auburn State Recreation area.
Qualifying military members must show a valid military ID to get free admission.
California State Parks have been allowed to offer free or reduced-price admission to veterans and military personnel thanks to Assembly Bill 150, signed by Gov. Jerry Brown in 2013.
California is home to 280 state parks.

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

It has been reported that several horse trailers and vehicles have been broken into at Spenceville Wildlife Area. In one incident, the thieves cut out the trailer's lock and stole tack and tools. In others, saddles, tools and other items were stolen. So far, these incidents were when the victims were away on the trail and parked at the cattle chutes area.

When you  are hiking or riding,  leave nothing of value in your vehicle or trailer.