NORTH TABLE MOUNTAIN
THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2008

DIFFICULTY:  Easy to moderate

ELEVATION GAIN:  Trailhead elevation --- 1320 feet.  Terrain is fairly level to undulating -- no significant loss or gain.

HIKE DISTANCE:  Approximately 5 1/2 miles

GENERAL LOCATION:  Near the town of Oroville

DESCRIPTION:  This area is one of the premier wildflower areas in California --- a show not to be missed!!  Even if you are not into wildflowers, you will be impressed at the glorious display of color! Timing, of course, is everything with wildflowers --- but hopefully we will see patches, carpets, and cascades of many colors and species.  Bring your camera!   We will have lunch at an area where we can view some waterfalls (getting close to them may be difficult due to poison oak and private property).

Hiking can be somewhat challenging, even though easy, due to the vernal pools (intermittent puddles that fill up in the rainy season and dry up later in the year), muddy and wet areas traversed by cows, and cow paddies (cows themselves are not a problem!).  Don't be deterred --- these small annoyances are worth the show!! And hiking poles will help a lot.

Note: recent prehike has revealed a new cross country route that has more short ups and downs than the previous route.  Terrain is rocky in many places - and mostly dry with only a few cow paddies - so wet areas are no longer a problem.  No poison oak was seen on the new route.

TRAVEL TIME/DISTANCE:  Distance - approximately 70 miles. Suggested donation for riders is $12.  Travel time --- 1 1/2 hours and return time to LH --- approximately 3:30 pm

HIKE LEADER/SWEEP:  Sue Geisler & Rosemarie Gutmann

SPECIAL NOTES:
FACILITIES:  One portable bathroom at the trailhead, but we will use the bathroom at a Burger King in Oroville before reaching the trailhead.
PREPARATION FOR HIKE:  Refer to the Standard Hiking Equipment Guidelines for Hiking in the "Hike Information and Guidelines" on the website.  Due to wet, muddy, and uneven ground wear hiking boots and be prepared to get them wet and dirty.  Be sure to bring a plastic bag and change of shoes.  Also bring a plastic bag to sit on the grass at lunchtime.  Trekking poles or the like will be most helpful when traversing wet areas.  Bring lunch and sufficient water.
RISKS:  Poison oak will be avoided.  Cow paddies (which can be avoided!).

QUESTIONS:  Call Sue Geisler at 408-1010.

MEETING TIME:  7:45 AM at OC Fitness Center parking lot by the blue mailbox. LEAVING TIME:  8:00 AM

Check out this website for pictures and descriptions of Table Mountain: http://members.tripod.com/~djkuba/index-8.html

Pictures taken on the recent prehike: