RANCHO SECO PARK
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
DIFFICULTY: Easy
HIKE DISTANCE: In total around 5 miles
GENERAL LOCATION: Rancho
Seco
Park
is close to Galt,
Ca. It is a decommissioned nuclear power plant built by SMUD (Sacramento
Municipal Utility District) in the 1970’s to supply electricity to
northern California. The
plant operated from April 1975 to
June 1989 and it was closed by public vote on June 7,1989. On March 20, 1978 a
failure of power supply
for the plant's non-nuclear instrumentation system led to steam
generator
dryout. All power
generating equipment
has been removed from the plant and the now-empty cooling towers remain
a
prominent part of the local landscape.
DESCRIPTION: Operation
of the recreational area was assumed by SMUD in 1992. In cooperation
with the
Nature Conservancy, SMUD dedicated in June 2006 the Howard Ranch Nature
Trail,
a seven-mile (11 km) long trail that follows riparian and
marsh habitat
along Rancho
Seco
Lake
and the adjoining Howard Ranch that once belonged to the owner of the
famous
racehorse Seabiscuit. The park also has a picnic
area, a
campground, a beach and a boat ramp.
TRAVEL
TIME/DISTANCE: Rancho Seco is approximately
58
miles from Lincoln
and it takes around 1 hour to drive.
Donations to the driver - $6. There
also is a $10/vehicle parking fee to be divided among riders. It is
anticipated
that we will return around 2:00.
HIKE
LEADER/SWEEP:
Joyce Clark
/ TBD
FACILITIES AVAILABLE: Restrooms are available at the
location with flush toilets but they are fairly primitive. There is a shopping center
at the corner of
Highway 99 and Twin Cities Road
with a grocery store and a fast food restaurant.
It is recommended that cars stop here
before
continuing onto the park.
PREPARATION FOR HIKE:
- Bring a copy of your ID (driver’s license),
health card, and emergency
contact name and phone number
with you on the hike.
- It is not necessary to wear hiking boots unless
you prefer.
- Bring
2 pairs of shoes, along with a plastic bag to store your
muddy/dusty shoes after the hike.
- Bring
lunch to eat at the picnic area, water and layered clothes
QUESTIONS: call Joyce at 543-7993
MEETING
TIME: 8:45, leave at 9:00
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
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