Oaks of the Sierra
Saturday  October 20, 2007 - 9:00 am to 4:30 pm - $10

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.

Natural History of McKenzie Preserve
Saturday  October 27, 2007 -  9:00 am to 3:00 pm - $10

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.

Art and Science on Fine Gold Creek—Saturday March 8, 2008—9 am—2 pm—$10

People of all ages can enjoy the springtime environment of Fine Gold Creek 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 at our newest preserve. Meet  at the new park across from the Shell Station in Friant at 9 am to caravan to Fine Gold Creek. 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.  Children are welcome, but must be accompanied by a supervising adult. 

Table Mountain Open House
Saturday March 15th & Sunday March 16th, 2008—9 am to 5 pm

March is an especially beautiful time of the year on the McKenzie Table Mountain Preserve. Bring your family and friends to the Open House to explore on your own, enjoy the wildflowers and perhaps bring a picnic lunch. 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. 

Wildflowers of the McKenzie Preserve—March 29, 2008—9 am to 3 pm—$10

This class will be taught by John Stebbins, botanist and local wildflower authority. You 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’ elevation gain, to the top of McKenzie Table.

Wildflowers of the Mariposa Area—April 5, 2008—9 am to 3 pm—$10

Meet at the Hite’s Cove trailhead, about 22 miles above Mariposa on Highway 140 near Savage’s Trading Post. This will be a moderate 4-5 mile round trip hike along the South Fork of the Merced River. Known for its spectacular diversity of native plants, particularly native wildflowers, this trail passes through foothill oak woodland, lush riparian areas & native rock gardens. A local wildflower expert will teach you about some new plants and you will have lunch on the river.

Birding the Mariposa Foothills—Saturday April 12, 2008—8 am to 12 noon—$10

Discover a diverse array of spring birds in foothill habitats. Join Mariposa birder Len McKenzie for a walk on one of SFC’s conservation easements. Meet at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds parking area on Highway 49 about 2 miles south of Mariposa.  Boots are recommended.  Bring binoculars, field guides, snacks, water and wet-weather gear.

Natural History of Kennedy Table—Saturday April 12, 2008—10 am to 4 pm—$35

Join Bart and Cindy Topping for lunch and a rare opportunity to see the splendor and beauty of Kennedy Table. You will be exploring the natural history of Kennedy Table with botanist John Stebbins, biologist Rodney Olsen and geologist Craig Poole. You will explore the history and formation of the tables, rare vernal pool plants and animals, and other life found around Kennedy Table.

Writing about Nature in the Sierra Foothills

Saturday April 19, 2008—9 am to 2 pm - $10

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 numerous published essays on nature, and a new 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 in writing our impressions of the inspiring spring landscape of the McKenzie Preserve, and discuss future writing projects.  Beginners and more experienced writers are welcome.  Bring lunch, writing materials, and a few pages of published nature writing you especially like.

An Evening of Science, Sights, Sounds and Supper at McKenzie Preserve

Saturday April 19, 2008—4 pm—$35

This hike and class will include the geology and ecology of Table Mountain and will be led by geologist Craig Poole and biologist Rodney Olsen. You will hike to the summit and enjoy the moonrise, sunset and a picnic as you listen to the evening sounds of Table Mountain. Flashlight and hiking shoes are a must! Meet at McKenzie Preserve at 4 pm sharp.

Wildflowers of Black Mountain

Saturday May 10, 2008—9:00 am to 3:00 pm—$10

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 11, 2008—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.

Wildflowers of Nelder Grove—Saturday May 31, 2008—10 am to 3 pm - This class is full.

At 5600 feet elevation, Nelder Gove is a cool, shady respite from the heat of the Valley. Stroll with Botanist Joanna Clines through the ancient Big Trees and enjoy a unique mix of wildflowers, lichen and mosses. Meet at the Mountain House restaurant, at the NE corner of Road 222 & Highway 41. Bring lunch, water, sturdy hiking shoes, sunscreen and sunglasses. (Binoculars, camera, 10x hand lens are optional).

Bats at McKenzie Preserve—Friday June 13, 2008—5 pm–$10 - 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.

Wildflowers of Grand Bluffs—Saturday June 14, 2008—8:00 am to 2:00 pm—$10

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.

The Ecology of Fire in the Sierra Nevada—Sat. June 21, 2008—9:00 am to 3:00 pm—$10

Join biologists Rodney Olsen and Steve Byrd for an exploration of the history and ecology of fire in the Sierra Nevada.  The class will take place on several of Southern California Edison¹s actively managed lands to look at pre/post burn conditions, wildlife usage and management before and after fire, and the history of fire in the Shaver Lake area.  We will meet at 9:00 am at the Dinkey Creek Road Rest Stop, about 1/2 mile off of Highway 168 on Dinkey Creek Road.  You will need to bring water and lunch.

HIKES

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.

Hikes for 2007:

Sat. October 20—Fine Gold

Sat. November 24—Table Mt. Discovery Trail or Table Top

Sat. December 29—Table Mt. Table Top

Hikes for 2008:

Sat. January 12—Table Mt. Smith Basin

Sun. January 20—Table Mt. Discovery Trail

Sat. January 26—Table Mt. Table Top

Sun. January 27—Black Mt. Summit

Sat. February 2—Table Top or Smith Basin

Sun. February 3—Black Mt. Summit 

Sat. February 9—Table Mt. Table Top     

Sat. February 16—Fine Gold

Sat. February 23—Table Mt. Loop Trail

Sun. February 24—Black Mt. Summit

Sat. March 1—Table Mt. Table Top

Sun. March 2—Black Mt. Summit

Sat. March 8—Table Mt. Loop Trail

Sun. March 9—Fine Gold

Sat. March 29—Table Mt. Table Top

Sun. March 30—Tivy Mt. Peak

Sat. April 5—Table Mt. Table Top

Sun. April 6—Black Mt. Summit

Sat. April 12—Tivy Mt. Peak

Sun. April 13—Table Mt. Discovery Trail

Sat. April 19—Black Mt. Summit

Sun. April 20—Table Mt. Table Top

Sierra Foothill Conservancy

Posted March 31st, 2007 by Jessi
 

After about 45 minutes of driving, I got to the foothills just outside of Fresno a little early to sign up for the hike, but there were already at least 20 people of various ages in attendance. A volunteer came around with a clipboard, and as people signed up, she playfully gave each a “No whining” sticker to help her keep track of who had already signed up. As she moved away from me after I signed up, I joked with my friend: “Well geez, if I had known that they didn’t allow whining, I wouldn’t have come.”

The volunteer, apparently overhearing, laughed and turned back to me, replying, “That’s why we don’t tell you until you get here!”

Over the course of the guided, four-hour hike at the Table Mountain Preserve, we were told about the geology of the hills. They talked about how the grazing cattle allowed on part of the preserve help minimize the impact of non-native grasses on the native wildlife. They pointed out trees, birds, and other wildlife. We were even shown a small archaeological site. Of course, the best part of the experience was just walking around in nature for a few hours, being able to enjoy the amazing scenery and a little bit of exercise without a long drive.

The guided hikes are provided free of charge (although donations are accepted) by the Sierra Foothill Conservancy (SFC), a local, nonprofit land trust dedicated to preserving the foothills between Yosemite and Kings Canyon. Hikes are conducted on the SFC’s preserves: the McKenzie Table Mountain Preserve (on Auberry Road below Prather), the Mary Elizabeth Miller Preserve at Black Mountain, Tivy Mountain near Piedra. The SFC recently purchased a fourth preserve, the Austin and Mary Ewell Preserve on Fine Gold Creek.

Hikes are available from January 20 through April 21. Hikes begin at 9 AM (arrive early to sign up; the gates are locked once the hike starts), some on Saturdays, some on Sundays. The hikes range in difficulty, some more level while some have more of a climb. The most strenuous hikes are about eight miles long and last about seven hours. The easier hikes take as little as 2 hours.

You don’t need elaborate hiking gear for these hikes, though you’ll want to wear comfortable shoes and be dressed appropriately (layers work well). It’s a good idea to bring a backpack with some water and some food. You may want to bring a camera or binoculars.

You may consider taking one of the SFC’s more in-depth classes. Classes are just $10 per person or $20 per family. Classes are scheduled for April and June 2007, with topics for remaining classes including wildflowers, birding, and butterflies. You need to register in advance (info available on their website). I took the mushroom class last spring, and it was a lot of fun and quite informative.

The Sierra Foothill Conservancy is a great cause, and the classes and hikes they offer are convenient, affordable, accessible, interesting, and definitely enjoyable! See their website for specifics on when and where the hikes are held.

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