The San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE) has acquired the Sky Mountain Outdoor Education Center.
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​Sky Mountain is 28 miles west of Truckee at an approximate elevation range of 5,500-6,000 feet. The parcel encompasses many scenic lakes in the high elevation mountains of the Sierra.  It is surrounded by National Forest System lands managed by the Tahoe National Forest and private property. The parcel is accessible via Lake Valley Road, which is accessed from the Yuba Gap exit off of Interstate 80.

It will serve as science camp for sixth graders in the Manteca and Ripon unified school districts as well as other students in the county and throughout the San Joaquin Valley starting in the 2011-2012 school year.
Situated at the top of the North Fork of the American River in the Sierra in Tahoe National Forest in Placer County, the property will become the new home for Science Camp for San Joaquin Valley students.
Sky Mountain includes cabins, a gymnasium, lodge, and other facilities surrounded by acres of forest alongside a pristine mountain lake. The 62.68-acre parcel was donated by the Pacific Gas & Electric to SJCOE.  Preexisting infrastructure, capital assets, and $2.5 million to support code compliance and infrastructure reinforcement were donated by the Pacific Forest and Watershed Lands Stewardship Council.  In 2016, the SJCOE applied to become a grantee of the property through the Stewardship Council, which oversees more than 140,000 acres of watershed lands owned by PG&E to ensure they are used to benefit the residents of California.

Sky Mountain is located 45 miles northeast of Auburn and 28 miles west of Truckee at an approximate elevation range of 5,500-6,000 feet. The parcel encompasses many scenic lakes in the high elevation mountains of the Sierra.  It is surrounded by National Forest System lands managed by the Tahoe National Forest and private property. The parcel is accessible via Lake Valley Road, which is accessed from the Yuba Gap exit off of Interstate 80.

As part of the transaction, the SJCOE will work closely with the Wildlife Heritage Foundation (WHF), a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and enhancing wildlife habitat and connecting Californians to the outdoors. As the holder of the conservation easement, the WHF will oversee the protection of the ecological habitat and ensure the appropriate use of this natural open space.

Sky Mountain will be the new location of Science Camp, as the SJCOE outdoor education program has been known to students for over 60 years who have come to the Santa Cruz Mountains through a contract with the YMCA at Camp Jones Gulch. 

“We are grateful for the long-standing partnership we have had with the YMCA and Camp Jones Gulch. The memories and traditions created there are shared by generations of our county’s residents,” San Joaquin County Superintendent of Schools James Mousalimas said. “It is difficult to close this chapter in our history, but Sky Mountain allows us more opportunities to provide outdoor education experiences to students year-round We are excited to offer Science Camp at Sky Mountain beginning in the 2021-2022 school year as we develop the next generation of innovative, ecologically literate community stewards and leaders. The possibilities are endless.”

By owning Sky Mountain, the SJCOE will have the flexibility to offer year-round programs to students of all ages and provide other opportunities for educators and community partners.

Peter Ottesen, the former director of science camp for 35 years, believes the new site at Sky Mountain will allow the award-winning resident outdoor school to flourish in the years to come. 
"The opportunity to acquire Sky Mountain, complete with modern living spaces and food service facilities and a travel time not encumbered by dense traffic, provides assurances that the popular program will continue well into the future,” said Ottesen.  “The change of sites couldn't happen at a better time."

Since 1976, the Sky Mountain property has been leased from PG&E for a camp and conference center.  During the planning phase of this new project, the SJCOE is working on renovating the preexisting facilities and designing a new curriculum specific to the unique ecosystem that aligns with the Next Generation Science Standards and makes connections with California’s Environmental Principles and Concepts. 

“Students will learn about different ecosystems and how watersheds are connected.  Snow is connected to rivers, rivers are connected to the Delta in San Joaquin County, and the Delta is connected to the ocean,” SJCOE STEM Director Annie Cunial said.  “And year-round activities will range from canoeing and archery in the summer to snowshoeing in the winter,” she said.  “These activities will enhance students’ experiences as they learn about the history of the land from the Native American tribes to early California explorers, as well as flora, hydroelectric dams, conifer forests, wildlife, industries, careers, and more.”

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has changed how field trips can be offered, programming information for the new center will not be available until the 2021-2022 school year.  The SJCOE will provide an update once programming begins. 

CLICK HERE to see the original article in the Manteca Bulletin Newspaper.

During the festival, normally held at Grass Valley and Nevada City, there are many events other than just films. This year, in addition to a virtual festival, there are local hikes with "help." These self-guided excursions are to help you keep the “Wild” in Wild & Scenic. While these hikes are for Nevada County, CA we encourage you to go get outside and explore wherever you may be!

1. Scenic Highway 49 from Nevada City to Sierra City

• Heading toward Sierra City on Highway 49, you will cross the stunning, emerald south fork of the Yuba, a state-designated Wild & Scenic river canyon.
• Continuing on to cross the middle fork at Oregon Creek Day-Use Area.
• As you slowly climb in elevation, Highway 49 catches up to the north fork of the Yuba River, where you’ll find plenty of small parks and pull-offs along the way with breathtaking views of the river canyon where you can be sure to stay socially distant.

2. Hiking for Good presents Connect with Nature on the Hirschman Trail 

• Just a short one-mile walk from downtown Nevada City, Hirschman Trail is an easy to moderate forested adventure found in the Deer Creek Watershed.
• Now teeming with wildlife, the trail’s showpiece is Hirschman Pond, created by hydraulic mining during the Gold Rush.

CLICK HERE for the PDF file guide


3. Explore Tahoe National Forest

• If you head up Highway 20, just past Harmony Ridge you’ll enter the Tahoe National Forest.
• The Pioneer Trail runs parallel along Highway 20 through a beautiful canopy of trees. Look for pull outs on the left side of the highway all the way to Conservation Camp Road. There’s plenty of flat space to stretch your legs and find solitude in the forest. Continue upward to find parks with 180-degree scenic views of the Sierra Nevadas.

4. It’s All Newt to Me: A Self-Guided Orientation to Amphibians of the Yuba

• While most people spend their hikes facing forward, look down for a change and discover the world of amphibians.
• Explore the Yuba Watershed from the eyes of frogs and salamanders on easy trails near Nevada City.
• This self-guided excursion is supplemented by materials from avid herper Shannon Hedge to teach you about the wonders of these animals at your feet.

Click Here for the PDF guide

​5. Importance of Nisenan Voice in Our CommunityThe Deer Creek Tribute Trail is a great opportunity for community education and outreach. The Nisenan Cultural Reclamation Corridor along Deer Creek will connect two points of the Tribute Trail. Wolf Creek in Grass Valley also offers educational opportunities through interpretive signage. Nevada City Rancheria Tribal Spokesperson Shelly Covert will discuss the visibility the trails have brought to the Tribe as well as the critical importance of connecting people with nature.

CLICK HERE to see the Wild and Scenic Film Festival Excursions webpage.

Now is the time to check out the trails that are either too crowded or too hot later in spring and summer. Hidden Falls Regional Park in Placer County is not a spur of the moment trip. Hidden Falls requires a reservation you can get online.

The green meadows and flowing creeks make this regional park a gem in Placer County in winter. The trails are well maintained, the bridges and decks are handsome and sturdy. The variety of trails will keep you going back again and again.

You may have heard parking is difficult. Yes, if you go after 10 a.m. the parking lot fills up quickly. I suggest going early or late. On my last trek, I went in the afternoon and I was able to park in the middle of the main lot and the light for photography was amazing.

I would encourage you to choose a hike while the weather is still mild. I have hiked the area several times and in the heat of summer. The grasses are dry and much of the trail is exposed to direct sun, making for a hot day. The payoff is finding a nice swimming hole along Coon creek.

This is a heavily trafficked area. The easy to moderate trails make it great for families and those who are looking for a shorter outing. If you get beyond the inner trails that lead to the falls, such as River Otter Loop, you leave the crowds and have more of the trail to yourself.

These are multi-use trails so expect to share the path with mountain bikes and horses. And don’t be surprised if you see grazing cattle or sheep too.

To get to Hidden Falls from Interstate 80, head north on Highway 49 toward Grass Valley. Turn left on Palm Ave to Mount Vernon to 7587 Mears Place, Auburn. If you are coming from Grass Valley you could take Joeger or Atwood Roads to Mount Vernon to Mears Place.

With 1,200-acres to wander, follow a route that looks like fun and enjoy.

Mary West is author of the book series Day Hiker – Gold Country Trail Guide I, II and III (Available on Amazon). The books are a collection of the Day Hiker columns where West shares her longtime love of the outdoors, favorite hikes in Northern California’s Gold Country and beyond. West was the recipient of the 2017 and 2019 CRAFT Award for Best Outdoor Column and the 2020 Craft Award for her second book in the series-Day Hiker Gold Country Trail Guide by the Outdoor Writers of California. You can follow West on Facebook and Instagram.

CLICK HERE to see complete article and more photos in The Union newspaper.
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