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Our Hike and Class Schedule for
September 2009-June 2010
will be available here by late August.
Members will receive a printed copy with the next newsletter.
Hikes
&
Classes
&
Special Events
Schedule
September
2008— June 2009
Hikes & Classes are open to the
public. Reservations are required.
Classes are $10 for members or $20 for
their family & $15 for non-members or
$30 for their family. For hikes, SFC suggests a $5 donation from
non-members. Bring lunch and water for daytime hikes and classes.
Click here to
register or call us at 855-3473.
Annual Member Barbeque—Sunday October 5,
2008
Cost—$7 - Gates will open at 9:00 - Lunch will be served at about 2:00.
Children under 12 and your friends who are not yet members are free.
Email jeannette.tuitele@sierrafoothill.org or call 855-3473 for
reservations and to let us know your choice of chicken or beef or a
vegetarian entrée.
This popular event will be held as usual on the McKenzie Table Mountain
Preserve, a great example of SFC’s conservation and land management
efforts. You may stroll around the preserve on your own starting at
9:00, enjoying the self-guided Discovery Trail or hiking to the top of
the tables. Then join us for a delicious barbeque at our picnic area by
the creek, after which SFC staff and board members will bring you up to
speed on exciting new projects. |
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Harvest Arts Festival
October 11-12,
2008 - Sat. 10-5 & Sun. 10-4
SFC will again have a booth at this community event featuring local
crafts and food at the Intermountain Nursery on Auberry Road east of
Prather. This will be a good opportunity to talk to SFC board & staff
members and buy a new SFC t-shirt & hat! |
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Oaks of the Sierra
Sunday October 19, 2008
9:00 am to 4:30 pm - $10/15
Eight species of oak grow in the central Sierra Nevada. During this
class Chuck Peck will show you at least 7 (maybe all 8) of those species
in the field. You will learn what the various oaks look like and the
critical role they play in providing food and shelter for our wildlife.
Meet at 9 am at the Park & Ride where Auberry Road leaves
Highway 168, just up the
road from Intermountain Nursery. Try to arrive early so we can arrange
for carpools and set off on our Journey Through the Oaks on time.
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Biotic Communities
& Geology of the Sierra
Saturday November
1, 2008—8 am to 7 pm—$10/15
Geologist Craig Poole and Biologist Rodney Olsen will discuss
connections between geology and biotic communities as we caravan up the
western slope of the Sierra to Courtright reservoir. Meet at the Friant
Cove Park at the junction of Friant Road and Road 206. Bring lunch and
water. |
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McKenzie Table
Mountain Open House
Saturday, March 14,
2009 - 9 am to 5 pm
March is a beautiful time of the
year on the McKenzie Preserve. Bring your family and friends to the Open
House to explore on your own, enjoy the wildflowers and bring a picnic
lunch if you wish. You may pick up a Discovery Trail guide and walk this
interesting loop trail on the lower part of the preserve or hike to the
table top to see the beautiful view. No reservation is needed.
Art and Science on the McKenzie Preserve
Saturday, March 21, 2009—9am to
2pm—$10/15
People of all ages can enjoy the springtime environment of McKenzie
Preserve with instruction in art techniques for drawing and watercolor,
with time for creative expression, and an exploration of the creek and
its aquatic life.
Megan
and Ron Bohigian
will lead this class. Bring water & your lunch, extra shoes or water
shoes, a pad to sit on if it’s been wet, binoculars if you have them,
and art materials of your own if you prefer to use them. We will
provide pencils, charcoal and watercolors for the day. Meet at the
McKenzie Preserve.
Geology & Wildflowers of the Tivy
Mountain Area
Sunday, March 22, 2009—8am to 3pm—$10/15
Biologist
Rodney Olsen
and
Geologist
Craig Poole
will lead you in an investigation of interactions between the geology,
soils, and plants in the lower Kings River area near Tivy Mt. Meet at
the Tivy Mountain Preserve. Bring lunch and water.
Fine Gold
Open House
Sunday, March 22, 2009
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vernal pool on Table Mountain |
Wildflowers on the McKenzie Preserve -
This class is full.
Saturday, March 28, 2009—9am to 3pm—$10/15
This class will be taught by
John Stebbins,
botanist and local wildflower authority. Your will see beautiful spring
flowers, including vernal pool species, and spectacular scenery. Be
prepared for a fairly strenuous 6 mile round trip hike, which includes a
1000 foot elevation gain, to the top of McKenzie Table.
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Writing About Nature in the Sierra
Foothills
Saturday, April 18, 2009—9am to 2
pm—$10/15
Explore in writing your place in the natural world with nature writer
John Hales,
a teacher of creative nonfiction in CSU-Fresno’s MFA Program, and author
of many published essays on nature, and the book,
Shooting Polaris: A Personal Survey in the American West.
We’ll discuss the nature writing genre, talk about some favorite nature
writers, observe and record our impressions of the inspiring spring
landscape of the McKenzie Preserve, and discuss future writing projects.
Beginners & more experienced writers are welcome. Bring lunch, writing
materials, and a few pages of published nature writing you especially
like.
Natural History of the McKenzie Preserve
Sunday, April 19, 2009—9am to 3pm—$10/15
- This class is full.
Join Anthropologist
Allen Beck,
Biologist
Rodney Olsen
and
Geologist
Craig Poole
as
we explore the Natural History of the McKenzie Preserve. We will look at
plants, animals, rocks and archeological sites on the preserve. This
includes a 5 mile round-trip hike to the top of Table Mountain. Bring
lunch and water. |
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Birds on Black Mountain—
Saturday, April 25, 2009—8am to 12
noon—$10/15
Join Biologists
Jeff Davis and Rodney Olsen
for
a bird walk and talk on Black Mountain. We plan to take a leisurely walk
to the top of Black Mountain during the height of the migratory season.
On our walk we will discuss bird migration, natural history and bird
identification. Black Mountain is known for its migratory bird activity,
so be prepared to be impressed. Birders of all skill levels and
children are welcome. We will meet at the Black Mountain office. Bring
binoculars, lunch, water and sun protection. |
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Wildflowers on Black Mountain—Saturday,
May 9, 2009—9am to 3pm—$10/15
John Stebbins
will lead a moderate hike to the top of the mountain looking at the many
wildflowers and shrubs that will be in bloom. Included will be
carpenteria in all its glory and the orange (yellow) lupine, as well as
many other species.
Black Mountain Open House—Sunday May 10,
2009—9 am to 5 pm
Mother’s Day on Black Mountain has become a tradition for many families.
Come celebrate this special day with a pleasant 3 mile round trip
hike up to the top of Black Mountain, with an optional
added mile if you’d also like to hike along the ridge and back. The
beautiful display of wildflowers along the trail will be identified with
informative signs and the rare shrub
Carpenteria californica
will also be decorating the mountain with its showy, snow-white
blossoms. |
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ladyslipper orchids at Nelder Grove |
Wildflowers of Nelder Grove
Sat., May 30, 2009—10am to 3pm
There is no charge for this class, however registration is required as
class size is limited to 25. (This class is full.)
Nelder Grove is one of two giant sequoia groves in the Sierra National
Forest. It is located about 7 miles due north of Oakhurst, south of
Yosemite National Park. At 5600 feet elevation, the grove is a cool,
shady respite from the heat of the Central Valley and foothills. Stroll
with Forest Service Botanist Joanna Clines through the ancient
Big Trees and enjoy a unique mix of wildflowers, lichens, and mosses.
See the beautiful and rare mountain lady’s slipper orchid in bloom and
learn about its ecology. The group will meet at a convenient spot north
of Oakhurst to caravan/carpool to the grove. Details of meeting place
will be provided to participants upon confirmation of registration.
Bring lunch, water, sturdy hiking shoes, sunscreen and sunglasses.
(Binoculars, camera and 10x hand lens are optional). Hiking level:
easy (about 1 mile of gentle terrain). |
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Bats at McKenzie Preserve—Friday, June
12, 2009—6:30 pm—$10/15
- This class is full.
Local bat expert
Burleigh Lockwood
will share her wealth of knowledge about these fascinating winged
mammals on a
full-moon lit night. Bring a picnic supper, lawn chair and flashlight.
Using bat detectors, you will hear the bats as they swoop overhead. This
is a good event for families with children. |
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Wildflowers of Grand Bluffs
Saturday, June 13, 2009—8am to 2pm—$10/15
Enjoy the cool mountain air at 6000 ft. while taking a moderately paced
hike with
Bonnie Bladen
to
view and identify the extensive wildflower occurrences at the Grand
Bluffs Demonstration Forest near Dinkey Creek. Meet at the Dinkey Creek
Road Rest Stop, about 1/2 mile off of Highway 168 on Dinkey Creek Road,
and carpool to the site. Bring a sack lunch and drinking water and wear
your hiking boots and long pants. |
Grand Bluffs Demonstration Forest |
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Mariposa Special Event
Fall Photography at the Merced River Canyon
Saturday Nov
8th 2008—8am to
2pm
(New Date)
$35
for members, $50 for non-members
Workshop limited to 12 participants
Explore the world of landscape photography with
nature photographer Mike Osborne. Learn to capture
beautiful fall images of the celebrated Merced River Canyon.
This class will be geared primarily toward inexperienced
photographers although all experience levels and all types of
cameras are welcome. We will concentrate mostly on looking at
light, composition and exposure--those elements that contribute
to taking better photos. Photoshop and other post capture
computer processing programs will not be covered in this class.
You are encouraged to bring your camera manuals with you as
there are a bewildering number of camera models and they all
work somewhat differently. Please review your camera manuals
before the class. If you have (or can borrow) a tripod bring
that as well. Sturdy shoes should be worn--we will be walking
over loose rocks from the road down to the riverbank and walking
on wet & slippery rocks . This class will not be strenuous but
it will require walking over unstable and slippery terrain. If
it is raining, bring rain gear and umbrellas.
Lunch will be included at this very special
event. Meet at the Briceburg
Information
Center parking area located approximately 12 miles north of
Mariposa off of Hwy 140 along the Merced River. We will leave
shortly after 8:00 am so if you are late you will probably be
able to find us somewhere between Briceburg and the first
(lower) bridge at the Ferguson Slide.
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Mariposa Classes
For
more information about these classes call our Mariposa office at (209)
742-5556
Changing Uses of the Land: Bear Valley,
Bagby and the Pine Tree Mine
Saturday Nov 29th
2008—10am to 2pm—$10/15
Join local historian
Ralph Mendershausen
and conservation easement landowner
Steve Kellenberg
for this timely tour of history and place in the Bear Valley area of
Mariposa. We shall carpool to the three different locations listed
above (including SFC’s Trabucco Ranch conservation easement in Bear
Valley) taking a short walk at each site. Meet at the corner of Hwy 49
N. and Trabucco Ranch Rd, approximately 10 miles east of the junction of
Highways 140 and 49 in Mariposa. Bring your lunch, water, and walking
shoes.
Snow Shoe Clarks Valley—Saturday Jan 17th
2009—9am to 3pm—$10/15
Outdoorswomen
Alison Tudor and Kim Marcis
will take you on a snow shoeing adventure on the Clarks Valley
Conservation Easement in Mariposa. Wear your snow gear and bring along
lunch and water. Snow shoes will be borrowed from the Yosemite
Institute. Meet at the Darrah School House on the corner of Darrah and
Triangle Rds, approximately 5 miles off Hwy 49 in Mariposa County.
Wildflowers of the Merced River Canyon—Saturday April 4th
2009—9am to 3pm—$10/15
Meet at the Hite’s Cove trailhead, about 22 miles above Mariposa on
Highway 140 near Savage’s Trading Post for this moderate 4.5 mile round
trip hike along the South Fork of the Merced River. Known for its
spectacular diversity of native plants, particularly wildflowers, this
trail passes through foothill oak woodland, lush riparian areas & native
rock gardens. Local wildflower expert and biologist
Wendy Fisher
will teach you about some new plants and you will have lunch on the
river. Don’t forget your sunscreen, lunch and water. |
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Birding and Native Plants of Striped Rock
Sunday April 12th
2009—8am to1pm—$10/15
Join expert naturalists
Len McKenzie and Kris Randal
for a day exploring the native flora and birds of the Mariposa
Foothills. Bring the family or a group of friends for this 3 mile hike
on Sierra Foothill Conservancy’s Striped Rock Conservation Easement.
Owned by Steven and Toni Kellenberg, the Striped Rock property is a
haven for wild life and a unique geologic feature of the Mariposa
landscape. Meet at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds parking lot off of
Hwy 49. |
Striped Rock - David Imhoff photo |
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Long
Ranch Nature Walk—Sat. April 18th
2009—9am to 2pm—$10/15
Take a nature walk with renowned naturalist, author and educator
Michael Ross
on the Mariposa Long Ranch Conservation Easement. Embark on a spring
discovery of the native wildflowers and natural history of this
beautiful rolling oak woodland. Bring your lunch, water, and guide
books. Meet at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds parking lot off of Hwy
49.
Natural
History of the Lodge Easement—Sunday April 26th
2009—9am to 2pm—$10/15
People of all ages are welcome to join this day of learning about the
diverse flora of the foothills with UC Merced
Professor Benoit Dayrat.
Join us for an easy hike on SFC’s Lodge conservation easement. Learn
about the native plants of the foothills and the interesting history of
plant names. Bring water and lunch. Meet at The Bootjack Market on
Darrah Rd off of Hwy 49 for a 9am departure.
Birding Clarks Valley—Saturday May 16,
2009—8am to1pm—$10/15
Discover a diverse array of spring birds in foothill habitats. Join
Yosemite Area Audubon President
Kris Randal
and retired Yosemite Chief Naturalist
Len McKenzie
for a walk on SFC’s Clark’s Valley conservation easement. Bring along
your lunch to enjoy while overlooking the pond. Meet at the corner of
Darrah, Triangle and Jerserydale Rds. approximately 5 miles off Hwy 49
in Mariposa County. Boots are recommended. Bring binoculars, field
guides, lunch, water and wet-weather gear. |
Hikes are led by experienced
volunteers and are free to members.
Hikers will explore SFC’s McKenzie Table Mt.
Preserve, Mary Elizabeth Miller Preserve at Black Mt., Tivy Mt.
Preserve or the Austin & Mary Ewell Preserve on Fine Gold Creek. All
hikes begin at 9:00 am except for those at the Tivy Mt. Preserve
which begin at 8:00 am. Bring a lunch & water.
No dogs please. Reservations are now required for
hikes and we suggest a $5 donation from non-members. We are now limiting each hike to 25 people, so be
sure to reserve a place ahead of time!
You may sign up by
clicking here
and filling out the on-line form
or call us at 855-3473.
For directions see
maps
below.
Table Mt.
Discovery Trail—This
is an easy mostly level hike of about 3.7 miles, with an interpretive
guide to the flora and history along the trail. It takes about 3 hours
with stops for interpretation. Meet at the corrals.
Table Mt.
Table Top—There
is a trail for most of the hike, which is about a 6 mile round trip with
some level walking then a climb on a good trail to the top; elevation
gain is 1000 feet. It takes about 5 hours allowing for lunch at the top.
Table Mt.
Smith Basin—This
is a strenuous hike, about 8 miles round trip with a 1000 ft. elevation
gain to the table top & 800 ft. down into the basin (on a lightly used
cow trail). With lunch in Smith Basin this hike takes a good 6 hours.
Table Mt.
Loop—This is a
strenuous hike, about 8 miles round trip with quite a bit of
cross-country (no trail). With a 1000 ft. cross-country climb, a 700 ft.
drop to the SJR River, then an 800 ft. climb up to the table top and
back, it takes about 7 hours.
Black Mt.
Summit—It’s about
a 4 mile round trip along a dirt road with an elevation gain of 800 ft.
and takes about 3 hours. This is a fairly easy hike with good footing.
If the group wishes, the hike may go another mile out onto the ridge.
Tivy Mt.
Peak—This is a
very strenuous hike of about 6 miles with a 2000 ft. elevation gain and
all cross-country, with poison oak along the way which is sometimes hard
to avoid. With lunch at the peak, the hike takes about 6 hours.
Tivy Mt.
Wildflower Hike—This
is an easy walk, usually not more than 1-2 miles round trip, to observe
wildflowers on the lower flank of the mountain (including Keck’s
Checkerbloom when it’s in bloom). This hike can take 2-4 hours.
Fine Gold—This
will be an easy hike, with emphasis on learning about the streamside
habitat of Fine Gold Creek. It may continue up onto nearby uplands on a
gentle ease-to-follow trail. Hike distances will be 1-2 miles. The hike
is appropriate for children; however, especially in early spring,
parents need to exercise caution with children alongside the creek.
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Hikes for 2008:
Sat. November 29—Table Mt. Discovery Trail
or Table Top
Sat.—December 27—Table Mt. Table Top (corrected
date)
Hikes for 2009:
Sat. January 10—Table Mt. Smith Basin
Sat. January 17—Table Mt. Discovery Trail
Sun. January 18—Table Mt. Table Top
Sat. January 24—Fine Gold
Sun. January 25—Black Mt. Summit
Sat. February 7—Table Mt. Smith Basin
Sun. February 8—Black Mt. Summit
Sun. February 15—Table Mt. Table Top |
Sat. February 21—Table Mt. Loop
Sun. February 22—Fine Gold
Sat. February 28—Table Mt. Table Top
Wed. March 4—Table Mt. Table Top - cancelled
Sat. March 7—Table Mt. Loop
Sun. March 8—Black Mt. Summit
Sun. March 22—Fine Gold
Sun. March 29—Tivy Mt.—-8:00
am
Wed. April 1—Black Mt. Summit
Sat. April 4—Table Mt. Table Top
Sun. April 5—Black Mt. Summit
Sat. April 11—Tivy Mt.—8:00
am
Sat. April 18—Black Mt. Summit
Sun. April 26—Table Mt. Table Top |
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Mariposa Hikes:
For more information call our Mariposa office at (209)
742-5556 |
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Striped Rock
November 16th,
2008—8:30-1pm
Join
Kim Marcis and Alison Tudor
on this 3 mile round trip easy-moderate hike. Along the trail we will
have beautiful views of Striped Rock, a unique geologic feature of the
Mariposa landscape. Bring water, lunch, and hiking shoes. Meet at the
Mariposa County Fairgrounds parking lot off of Hwy 49. |
Long Ranch
March 1,
2009— 8:30-1pm
Stroll through the idyllic Long Ranch oak woodland with local naturalist
Ben Goger.
Bring your lunch and water. Meet at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds
parking lot off of Hwy 49.
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Click below for a full page printable map for each preserve.
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