SPENCEVILLE
WILDLIFE AREA/FAIRY FALLS
Thursday,
April 28, 2011
DIFFICULTY: Easy, except
moderate along steep streamside descent from
falls
ELEVATION GAIN:
Trailhead
at about 400 ft. Rolling terrain
with only about 400
ft. elevation gain to top of falls
HIKE DISTANCE: 5 ½ miles. Partial loop
GENERAL LOCATION: Spenceville
Wildlife and Recreation Area, managed by the California State
Department of
Fish and Game, is a treasure in our own backyard, just a pleasant drive
north past
Lake Far West. The
area is noted for
wildflowers and birds.
DESCRIPTION: Trail
follows Old Spenceville Road
for about a mile to the site of the former mining town, then joins the
single-file Upper Loop Trail climbing through oak-studded wildflower
meadows,
with good views of rolling foothills. A short, steep path brings us to
the top
of lovely two-tiered Fairy
Falls
(also called Shingle Falls).
We then descend a steep, rocky trail about 1/4 mile to see the lower
falls and
eat lunch on rocks at streamside (a pleasant place to dip our feet). We
will
return via the rolling Lower Loop Trail, which is somewhat more shaded.
Depending on recent rainfall and temperatures, wildflower sightings may
include
Mariposa lily, live-forever, blue and white-whorled lupine, yellow
pretty face,
blue dicks, wild carnation, larkspur, farewell-to-spring, blue and
white
brodiaea, jewel flower, buckeye, and two kinds of poppies. This area is
also
popular with birders for sightings ranging from the common wild turkey
to the
shy California
rail.
LUNCH:
Pack lunch to eat at
streamside.
TRAVEL
TIME/DISTANCE: Driving time 50
minutes. Beautiful route on back
roads through ranch- and grass-lands north of Lincoln—only about 24
miles, but
last 5 miles are on dirt roads (very dusty unless there have been
recent rains).
Suggested donation to drivers $3.00.
HIKE
LEADER/SWEEP:: Gay
Mackintosh/Barry Mackintosh
SPECIALNOTES:
1) IF YOU HAVE ANY HEALTH
ISSUES, PLEASE CONSIDER YOUR
CONDITION BEFORE HIKING
2) Bring
a copy of your ID (driver's license), Health Card,
and an emergency contact name and phone number with you when you hike.
3) 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.
FACILITIES
AVAILABLE: NONE. NO GAS ON THIS ROUTE. NO TOILET FACILITIES AFTER
LEAVING LINCOLN
HILLS.
PREPARATION
FOR HIKE: Hiking
boots and poles advised for the steep, rocky path
along the stream to view the falls.
Bring lunch and water.
Parts of
trail are in full sun; wear sunscreen and bring insect repellant for
possible
gnats. Bring rain jacket if showers are predicted.
RISKS:
Lots of poison
oak off trail (but
easily avoided). Be
prepared for sunny
trails through open meadows and insect activity.
QUESTIONS:
Gay Mackintosh (408-5092)
MEETING TIME: 8:00 AM, for 8:15
leaving time
HARD RAIN
CANCELS HIKE, BUT WILL GO IF ONLY SHOWERS
PREDICTED
Photos from a
previous Spenceville Hike
DRIVING
DIRECTIONS:
RIGHT on Del Webb Blvd.
to
LEFT on Sun
City Blvd.
RIGHT on Ferrari Ranch
Rd.
to LEFT on 193.
FIRST RIGHT on
East Ave.
to end. RIGHT on 12th St.
4 blocks to LEFT on McCourtney Rd. Stay on McCourtney
Rd. to Camp Far West Reservoir,
about 12 miles. After crossing dam,
bear right
at fork as McCourtney becomes Camp Far West Rd. Pavement ends after a
couple of
miles—good gravel road but very dusty, so spread out.
RIGHT at T on Old
Spenceville Rd. about 1.5 miles
to second small
parking area on your left.
GAY’S CAR PHONE:
916-626-9285
GAY’S CELL
916-801-5854
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