NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Like a lot of folks, I want to get outdoors and feel more connected to our local wild areas, But in my older years I just don’t have the stamina or desire to do a hike that is too strenuous for me. I just want to find some place that’s interesting to look at and easy to walk through.
Luckily, we have some really remarkable “go-to” places in and around the new Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument.
First, there’s the Fremont Weir State Wildlife Area in Yolo County.
The wildlife area itself is relatively flat and comprised of riparian habitat, oak woodlands and annual California grasses.
It contains a variety of native trees like oaks, willows and cottonwoods, and critters such as muskrats, deer and river otters.
It’s also touted to be an “awesome” place for birding. Pheasant, valley quail and waterfowl are often found here.
One word of warning: the area is a floodplain for the Sacramento River, so you can’t enter it when the river is at flood stage.
To get there: take Interstate 5 toward the Yolo Bypass, and find County Road 22. Turn east onto County Road 22 and take the first left, County Road 117, over the railroad tracks. Travel on County Road 117 for 5.8 miles and turn left (west) on County Road 16 (unpaved). County Road 16 will terminate at the parking lot on the east levee of the Fremont Weir Wildlife Area. Park at the top of the levee, and hike north along the levee, until you reach the weir. There are no developed trails, so the distance can be as far as you like.
Then you might try out the Redbud Trail in Lake County. This is an “out and back” trail, so you can go as far as you want.
The trail winds up to Perkins Ridge where you get a fabulous view of the main fork of Cache Creek and Brushy Sky High Mountain.
Once you reach Baton Flat, the trail crosses the creek and heads to the Wilson Valley. On this trail you might get a glimpse of tule elk. Fall is the rutting season for the elk, so you may hear the males bugling. This is an area where black bears may also be seen.
This hike is particularly interesting now as it was burned in the Rocky fire. You’ll be able to see how some places burned really “hot” and others
burned “cooler” and going out to the trail now will give you some idea of how wildfires affect an ecosystem.
Taking “before” photographs now, and “after” photographs in the spring (when the wildflowers will be in bloom) will demonstrate for you the incredible resiliency of nature.
To get there: Take Highway 20 and follow it into Lake County until you cross over the bridge at the North Fork of Cache Creek. Look for the Redbud Trail and Cache Creek Management Area sign on the side of the road. Turn into the parking area there.
Finally, you can try out the East Shore Trail at Lake Berryessa in Napa County.
The east shore is an undeveloped wildlife area backed by cattle ranches. A large variety of raptors and waterfowl may be viewed along the shoreline including white pelicans, golden and bald eagles, western grebes, cormorants and many species of ducks. This time of year there are lots of migrating birds to be seen.
The well-maintained gravel East Shore Ranch and Fire Access Road allows public access for almost six miles of the shoreline starting from the Knoxville-Berryessa Road and extending south to a turnaround loop. Short trails lead from each gate to the shore.
Note: The somewhat confusing "closed area" signs mean only that the area behind the sign is closed to off-road vehicle use. Unless otherwise noted, foot access is allowed and hikers are welcome.
See? Many can be about relaxing and enjoying the outdoors at your own pace. So get out there, get some fresh air and exercise, and get connected with your public lands.
Check out Tuleyome’s Web site at www.tuleyome.org for more trails and hiking information.
Tuleyome is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation organization based in Woodland, Calif. Mary K. Hanson is a Certified California Naturalist and author of “The Chubby Woman’s Walkabout” blog. For more information on Tuleyome, visit www.tuleyome.org .