Wednesday, December 5

Hike (1B). Hidden Falls Regional Park

This 8-mile loop will take us on both sides of Coon Creek on mostly easy wide trails, and back to the falls before heading back uphill to our cars. Bring lunch, water and essentials. No dogs. Heavy rain cancels. Meet at Burger King, on Lincoln Way at Foresthill Exit off I-80 near Auburn at 9:00 a.m. or at Hidden Falls Park at 9:30 a.m. Leader: Chris Fox, fox_chris@att.netor 916-918-9510.

Wednesday, December 12

Hike (1A) Park HQ to Confluence Loop (Canyon Keepers Hike)

We will do a modified 3.5 to 4-mile loop starting at the Confluence.  We’ll begin by going up the short but steep Tinker’s Cut off, then the first section of Manzanita Trail to the Park Hqs.  We will then carefully and quickly cross Hwy 49 and drop down to the WST to return to the Mt Quarries RR Bridge and the Confluence Area.  Bring snack or lunch, water and essentials.  Meet at 9:30 am at the Shade Shelter at the Confluence, just before the old (low) Foresthill Bridge.  Parking fee at the Confluence or park for free on Hwy. 49 on El Dorado side of the American River and walk to the meeting area. No dogs. Rain cancels.  Leader:  Sheila Toner 530-886-0673.

Tuesday, December 18

Hike (2A).   Redwood Regional Park East Loop 

Redwood Regional Park in the hills between Oakland and Moraga offers scenic beauty and tranquility just blocks from urban congestion.  We’ll hike 8 miles along East Ridge Trail, down to a lovely picnic area, and back through beautiful redwood groves.  Expect an approximately 800-foot elevation loss/gain and possible mud.  Bring lunch, water, and essentials.  Contact leader for meeting time and place.  No dogs.  Rain cancels.    Leader: Jim Cramer, 530-756-3973 or cramerjc@gmail.com.

Wednesday, December 19

Hike (1A). Tamaroo Bar 

We’ll hike a 4 to 5-mile loop down from the dam overlook in Auburn to Tamaroo Bar on the American River. Elevation gain/loss is approx. 600 ft.  We’ll enjoy a snack break on the bar alongside the river. Hike will provide many opportunities to see remains of the efforts to build the Auburn Dam as well as a natural looking section of the river. Bring snack, water, and essentials. Consider joining us for a late pre-holiday lunch in Auburn after the hike.  Meet in Auburn at Burger King, on Lincoln Way at Foresthill Exit off I-80 at 9:30 am or at Overlook Park in Auburn off Pacific Ave at 9:50 am.  No dogs.  Rain cancels.  Leader: Sheila Toner 530-886-0673.

Saturday, December 29

Hike (2B).  Pierce Falls, Berryessa Snow Mt. NM (Yolano Group)

We’ll wind up through Pierce Canyon on gravel Rd. 53.  The canyon has breathtaking steep cliffs and views of Capay Valley, a nice creek, and beautiful oaks.  Along the way we'll get to a cross-canyon view of the falls.  At road’s end we eat lunch and then return down Rd. 53.  Round trip is about 8 miles with about 1400’ elevation gain.  Bring lunch, water, and essentials.  Contact leader about meeting time and place.  No dogs.  Rain cancels. Leader:  Jim Cramer, 530-756-3973 or cramerjc@gmail.com.