The Confluence Summer 2002

Picayune Valley Hike Saturday, September 28

Experience autumn colors in the quaking aspen groves of the valley. Join Audubon birder Deren Ross for a hike into Picayune Valley located in the Granite Chief Wilderness Area. This Middle Fork headwaters glaciated valley is characterized by large old growth trees, waterfalls, petroglyphs and ancient volcanic flows.

We will focus on the birds found in the valley and be searching for the Clark's Nutcracker. This raucous voiced, larger than a scrub jay, high country bird is the subject of the book, "Made For Each Other". The book describes the relationship between Clark's Nutcracker and the Western White Pine tree. The pine nut seeds stay locked in the pinecone of the White Pine having no natural release mechanism. The Clark's Nutcracker is able to penetrate the pine cone with its strong chisel bill and extract the pine nut seeds. It flies about caching large quantities of the seeds in the ground for future consumption - much like a Jay bird does with oak acorns. Many of the seeds germinate and sprout into young pine trees thus spreading the whereabouts of the Western White Pine far beyond the host tree.

We will meet at 7:30 am at the Placer County Courthouse, repark and leave by 8:00 am. It is 60 miles to Picayune valley on a beautiful windy road. Hiking in the valley is a relatively easy 6-8 mile round trip. Possible overnight camp opportunity. To confirm and for more details contact Deren @ 530-885-9740 or Eric Peach @ 885-8878.

Placer Land Trust Hosts Harvest Celebration

On Friday November 22 the Placer Land Trust will sponsor the first annual "Placer Harvest Celebration" at the Gold Country Fairgrounds in Auburn. The event celebrates the role of agriculture in Placer County through an evening of food, wine and entertainment. The "Celebration" also illustrates the role of agriculture and the importance of protecting working landscapes in Placer County. Come meet Jeff Darlington, Placer Land Trust's new Executive Director.

FATRAC American River Trails Work Day October 20

Meet at the Confluence at the bottom of Stagecoach Trail for a 10:00 am to 2:00 pm trails work day in the American River Canyons with FATRAC bike club. Weather conditions permitting, volunteers will probably work on the finishing touches of the new interconnect trail between Clementine Road and the Divide Loop trail. For more info contact Sean Allen during the day @ 916- 988-6975.

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