Dec 29, 2011 - The Trestle Trail - Diamond Springs

The Trestle Trail is part of “the rails to trails” program and located near Diamond Springs. This was part of the SP Line to Placerville and was about 5.7 mi round trip.
It was grand kid day with four Geezers and three grandsons, Loren & Jack, Sherm & Landon, Wayne & Paul and Geezer Rich. The rest of the Geezer clan were all home resting up after a very busy Christmas season. The Trestle Trail winds through the hills from Missouri Flat Rd to Forni Rd at the County Jail entrance. It was overcast but not cold, so it was a pleasant hike. We had a great time at the IN & OUT Burger too!

Those who missed the hike missed a good time as the young guys kept us going and entertained us all the way. We decided that it is still a holiday week as there were lots of people on the trail. Loren had to park on the dirt as all the parking places were taken. We hope you can all get back on the trail with us next week.

Happy new year to all and we'll see you all next year.

Dec 22, 2011 - Old Salmon Falls Bridge to Brown's Ravine

There were five Geezers today. Loren (L1), Merrill, Glenn, Rich and Larry. We travelled between 11 and 12 miles on trails from Old Salmon Falls Bridge to Brown's Ravine wandering through oak and pine forests, open fields, Folsom Lake bottom, and across numerous side canyons that were for the most part quite dry. Folsom Lake level was below 50%, and the old Salmon Falls bridge was exposed, but you would have to swim to get to it. After a chilly start with frost covering everything in the shade, (there was still frost at 1:30 PM), the day finally warmed up to the mid 50's, and turned out to be a very pleasant hike for the five attending Geezers.
The hike was long but not too difficult, with the exception of one hill that was pretty tough at the beginning. As we were cold, climbing this hill just got us nicely warmed up. At least we had a sunny and picturesque lunch spot later on. From today's pictures, can you find the Giant Black Widow spider? I understand that they are rare in this area. Also, see if you can find the Arch Oak trees as well.
Thanks to Glenn and Loren for their narrative and photos.

Dec 15, 2011 - Lake Clemintine Loop Trail

After a brief rainstorm the night before our hike, the sky cleared, and seven Geezers (Loren L-1, Loren L-2, John, Beuford, Sherm, Rod, and Glenn) took the Lake Clemintine loop trail in the Auburn State Recreation Area. The loop was 6 miles long and had a climb of about 900-1000 feet (depending on whose GPS we were listening to). We hiked up the north fork of the American River, over the ridge and the Foresthill divide road, then down the middle fork of the American River. This was the first time we had taken the trail in a clockwise direction, so it was like a new trail to all of us. We finished the hike in plenty of time to stop at Foster's Freeze for our reward for another great day of hiking.