2011 Field Trip Schedule
Call Joan Stewart at 539-2717 to confirm details about each field trip, where to meet at 10 am.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Springville above PG&E Power Plant
This will be a moderately strenuous walk on a dirt road from about 3000’ to nearly 4000’, uphill going, downhill returning. This is the access road to the surge tank above the PG&E power plant on Hwy 190 near Springville. Small hydroelectric systems were built on most of the Sierra rivers early in the 1900’s, and this walk offers a glimpse into the early history of this development. Along the way Staphylea (bladder pod) will be budding. This area is close to the southern end of the distribution of this shrub, and, in itself makes the trip interesting. We climb from riparian where the road crosses the river, through chaparral, into mixed oaks, and wildflowers.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Jenkins Ranch near Springville
We are invited to wander over the trails of a private ranch between Balch Park Road, above Springville, and the North fork of the Tule River. This ranch has not been grazed for a number of years, and the present owners, Ron and Sandy Jenkins, have designed a series of interconnecting trails that display a wonderful array of wildflowers. This is a wonderful example of a private property that has been managed for the diversity and abundance of its natural vegetation and wildlife.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Wishon Trail near Springville
By popular demand, we will repeat a trek up the Wishon Trail above the Tule River, with a chance to see Torreya, bleeding hearts (Dicentra), as well as a variety of other plants that thrive in damp shady habitats. We can make this as long or short as the group wants, on a fairly level trail, between 3000 and 4000 feet elevation.
Summer Field Trips at higher elevations will be planned for June and July, and will be featured in our next newsletter coming out in late May. An up to date field trip schedule will be posted here.
*Special Children's Field Trips details here
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