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Assassin’s Trail (Applegate)
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
DIFFICULTY:
Moderate, Elevation starts at 2,000 feet range.
ELEVATION GAIN:
Total gain, with all ups and downs is about 1,000 feet
HIKE DISTANCE:
7 miles RT (out and back hike).
GENERAL LOCATION:
Applegate.
DESCRIPTION: Maintained by Meadow Vista Trail Association,
the trail starts about 1 mile south of I-80, at the Applegate off-ramp. This is an undulating foothill trail,
formally a wagon trail, which in this case is something slightly wider than
single-track. The trail has a
significant uphill accent near the midpoint of 0.5 miles, and other moderate decent
and upgrades in both directions. The
trail generally is in shady foothill woodlands ecosystem comprised of chaparral
dominated by manzanita, buck brush, and chemise oak and foothill pines with
some small meadows along the way. This trail follows east along the north ridge
of the north fork of the American River and has some views of the canyon on the
far side; however, there is no view of the river which is below. In the spring, some wild flowers will be
along the trail.
NAME
BACKGROUND:
The trail skirts the edges of the former Esoteric Fraternity, a
religious sect founded in 1887. In 1973,
the Esoteric member Matthew A Bosek was murdered, execution style, while
tending the compound’s garden. The garden we will pass by about 2.5 miles into
the hike. Than in 2003, Justine
Vanderschoot was strangled to unconsciousness and then buried alive on the
trail near the turnaround area. The
first murder was unsolved and the second was solved. Therefore, we should have no problem of these
types!
TRAVEL TIME/DISTANCE: 50 minutes each way. One way distance is
about 40 miles. This is a $6 driver donation. Detailed driving directions
will be handed out to all drivers.
HIKE LEADER/SWEEP:
Phil Huntingdale and Stephanie Huntingdale
SPECIAL NOTES:
FACILITIES AVAILABLE: No restrooms available. We will stop at the McDonalds
in Forest Hill Ravine before reaching
the trailhead.
PREPARATIONS FOR HIKE:
- Bring a copy of your ID
(driver's license), Health Card, and an emergency contact name and phone
number with you when you hike.
- If you have any health issues,
please consider your condition before hiking. If you have any health
issues, please consider your condition before hiking.
- Always bring 2 pairs of shoes,
along with a plastic bag to store your muddy/dusty hiking boots after the
hike. DO NOT get your driver's car dirty by wearing your dirty boots
on the drive home.
- Bring hiking boots, plastic bag
for sitting on, sunscreen, insect repellant, water, snack or lunch.
RISKS: Some of the walking is on loose rocks. The trail is
mostly shaded and in May could still be damp. You
need to bring something to sit on for lunch, no rocks or benches. It should be in the 70’s in May.
RETURN
TIME:
Approximately 2:30 pm at OC Lodge.
QUESTIONS:
Call Phil or Stephanie Huntingdale, 408-1747
MEETING TIME:
7:45 in the Orchard Creek Parking lot - leaving time is 8:00 am.
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