SPENCEVILLE WILDLIFE AREA/FAIRY FALLS
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
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 (lollypop)
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. We will return via the rolling Lower Loop
Trail. April showers, should we be so lucky, will bring out the
wildflowers. We may spot wild turkeys, hawks, and song birds.
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
SPECIAL NOTES:
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. Bring rain jacket if
showers are predicted.
RISKS: Lots of poison oak off trail (but easily avoided).
QUESTIONS: Gay Mackintosh (209-3628)
MEETING TIME: 9:00 AM, for 9:15 leaving time
RAIN CANCELS HIKE.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
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