COYOTE POND TO McCORMICK PARK

NOTE: Hike does not start at normal Orchard Creek Lodge starting point.  We will meet at Coyote Pond Park, 2543 Old Kenmare Road, Lincoln, CA 95648.  See Driving Directions below.

DIFFICULTY:  Moderate.

ELEVATION GAIN:  600 +/- feet of elevation gain.

HIKE DISTANCE:  6.5 to 7.0 +/- miles total, Loop hike.

DIRECTIONS:  Hike starts and ends at Coyote Pond Park, 2543 Old Kenmare Road, Lincoln, CA 95648.

HIKE ROUTE:  We will start and end at Coyote Pond.

            Start Route: We will walk up a paved and dirt trail through the new residential community known as Arlington at Twelve Bridges to Ridgecrest Drive.  From there we will enter Catta Verdera at the Via Karina entrance and hike to its east ridge (Vista de Madera).  This is at the south end of a reservoir that I’ve thought was Caperton Reservoir for the past 17 years.  Recent further exploring has led me to find that Caperton Reservoir is actually a couple of miles northeast on Caperton Court off Sierra College Blvd..

            Return Route:  From the east ridge of Catta Verdera we will hike down into the valley that is now known as McCormick Park.  The park is owned by the Western Placer Education Foundation.  The Foundation has plans to build an Outdoor Learning Environment (OLE) center in the park some time in the future.  McCormick Park was once part of the Joel Parker Whitney’s Spring Valley Ranch.  It still has the feel of what the countryside might have been like in the late 1800s.  It is well forested with oak trees.  Pleasant Grove Creek also originates in the valley.  Keep an eye out.  There are also a few old citrus trees left from the past on some of the old terraces.  From McCormick Park, we will walk back to Coyote Pond through another new residential community known as Belmont at 12 Bridges and use a dirt path to take us back to the pond.

TRAVEL TIME/DISTANCE:  Starting point is Coyote Pond Park, 2543 Old Kenmare Road, Lincoln, CA 95648.  Coyote Pond Park is roughly a 10 to 15 minute drive from the Orchard Creek Lodge.   You will need to make your own arrangements to get to the starting trail head.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS:  Get on Twelve Bridges Drive from any exit from Sun City Lincoln Hills between East Joiner Parkway and Stoneridge Blvd. Turn off to Eastridge Drive at the traffic light (at the grammar school).  It will be either on your right if you came from the direction of Joiner Parkway or on your left if you came from the direction of Stoneridge Blvd..  Proceed down Eastridge Drive and turn left on Old Kenmare Road (at an empty field).  Coyote Pond Park parking lot is one block down on your right.

HIKE LEADER/SWEEP:   Leader: Jim Fisher. Sweep: Denny Fisher.

                                                Questions:  Call Denny Fisher at (916) 505-4948

SPECIAL NOTES:                                                 

   A.  NO FACILITIES:  There are no rest rooms along the trail. There are a few spots along the trail for Mother Nature breaks.  There may be out houses available in the construction areas, but I would not count on going by one.  Homes are being constructed in various parts of the two new residential communities we will be traversing through, but the route I have planned skirts most of the current construction areas.

   B.  FOOD AND WATER:  Bring water and a snack or lunch.  We will stop for a snack or lunch break about midway through the hike.

   C.  HEALTH ISSUES:  If you have health issues, please consider your condition before hiking.

   D.  PREPARATION FOR HIKE:

         1)      Sturdy boots or walking shoes are recommended.  If you use hiking poles, you should bring them.  There are about a half  dozen steep, short ups and downs on dirt and paved trails that will make you glad you brought them.  Bring layered clothing.  You might want to wear long pants and long sleeved shirts not only because it may be cold but also because of poison oak along the trail.

         2)      Bring a copy of your ID (Drivers License), health card, and emergency contact name and phone number with you on the hike.

         3)      If you are riding to the trail head in someone else’s car, always bring an extra pair of shoes with a plastic bag to store your muddy/dusty shoes after the hike. Do not get your driver’s car dirty by wearing your dirty shoes home.

         4)      Bring snacks, sun screen, hat and water and Good & Plenty candy and a Payday candy bar for the hike leader and sweep so they can make the entire hike.

   E.  RISKS:  Watch for traffic when crossing roadways.  Possible mud and poison oak.

   F.   RAIN CANCELLATION:  Heavy rain the day of the hike, cancels hike.  Rain the night before does not cancel hike.  The route is a mix of paved and gravel trails that drain pretty well.  The gravel trails will have some mud and puddles that we will have to work around if it rains the night before the hike.

MEETING TIME:  8:45 AM, LEAVING TIME: 9:00 AM, RETURN BY 2:00 pm.  Remember - - We are meeting at Coyote Pond Park, 2543 Old Kenmare Road, Lincoln, CA 95648.