| Rancho Seco Howard
Ranch Trail
2013 Schedule
Please visit
their website for more information on location, parking and
meeting times. Tours are scheduled for:
Sunday March 10th, 9am
Saturday, March 16th, 9am
Sunday, March 24th, 9am
Saturday, March 30th, 9am
Sunday, April 7th, 9am
Saturday, April 13th, 9am
Sunday, April 21st, 9am
Saturday, April 27th, 9am
Sunday, May 5th, 9am
Saturday, May 11th 9am
The 7-mile Rancho Seco Howard Ranch Trail is a
hiker's paradise! The trail begins by winding around the north end
of Rancho Seco Lake along willow scrub and riparian marsh habitat.
As the trail leaves the waters edge, it travels up onto a flat
terrace supporting a mosaic of vernal pools and grassland habitat.
This terrace also offers dramatic views of extensive blue oak
woodlands in the foothills and the far-off peaks of the Sierra
Nevada mountain range.
When filled with water, vernal pools are crucial
to the short life cycle of federally listed threatened and
endangered species, such as the California Tiger Salamander, fairy
shrimp, tadpole shrimp, and Western spadefoot toad. In the spring,
masses of flowering plants carpet the basins of these pools
creating a sight not to be missed.
Vernal Pool walks will be led from
mid-March through early May. Participants will meet at the trailhead at
8:45 am. Be sure
to mark your calendars so you don't miss out! The trailhead is
located at the North Dam parking lot in Rancho Seco Recreation
Area off Highway 104.
For more information call (916) 684-2816 or visit http://www.cosumnes.org/.
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