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| Our kids, 3 or so years ago, in Knight's Ferry |
Knight's Ferry
This historic town 30 minutes from Modesto is nestled in the foothills and offers hiking (low mileage, perfect for young children), picnicking, trail-running, fishing, rafting, an old-fashioned covered bridge, and a nice little visitor's center where you can learn about the history of the town & river area and the animals who make their home there. Heading up the trail may offer you the chance to spy an osprey or red-tailed hawk.
It can get crowded on weekends, so go early. Right now is the perfect time to see some wildflowers. It gets dry and hot here in summer, but you can cool off by dipping in the river by the day use area that is under the bridge.
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| Native American Grinding Stones at Camp 9 that my kids found |
Camp 9
A 1 hour 20 minute drive from Modesto, this area is reached from Angel's Camp (highway 4) and is along the Stanislaus River that eventually feeds Tulloch Reservoir. You park at road's end by a powerhouse, cross a metal footbridge, and are then on a trail that heads to great picnic spots along the river. Pay attention as you walk and you'll see some Native American grinding stones near the trail. The distance for hiking isn't far, but it is still a beautiful and uncrowded area to explore; just go upstream and check it all out. One time when we were there about a dozen swallowtail butterflies had just emerged and were drying their wings in the sun. We've also seen wild turkeys here as well, and people come to fish here, and also to boat the river (that's how we discovered it many years ago - Jeff kayaked here.)
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| Wildflowers abound in Red Hills in March & April |
Red Hills
45 minutes from Modesto and you are in an amazingly unique place. The mineral called serpentine fills the hills, making the ground a nice red color, and allowing only certain plant varieties to grow and thrive here. It's a great place to see birds and wild flowers. There are a ton of trails here, and new ones seem to pop up every day. Be sure to grab a trail map from the trail head. There is no water here, unless you come just after some rain and the seasonal creek is flowing. Dogs are allowed here, but beware of rattlesnakes. The trails are shared with trail runners, mountain bikers, and horses.
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| 45,859 acres of what California used to look like |
Consumnes River Preserve, Galt
This gorgeous area south of Sacramento has 4.5 miles of trails through valley oaks and meadows. At the preserve, you can learn about the oak's history in California and see the oak riparian habitat that used to be so wide-spread throughout California before the 1900's.
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| Haven't been here, can't wait to go! |
Hite Cove
This is Jaunt's next group hike, April 13.
This hike continually gets rated as exceptional by everyone who does it, and we can't wait to check it out this spring. Apparently the wild flower show is one of the best in the state! It is 9 miles round trip, and fairly easy as far as elevation gain is concerned. It seems that the trail is above the river canyon, and drops off rather steeply, so it may not be a place to take small children. From Modesto it is a 2 hour and 15 minute drive taking Highway 99 and 140 through Mariposa. There are other ways to get there, on really windy roads not for anyone who gets car sick!
