PROTECT AMERICAN RIVER CANYONS
PARC • PO Box 9312 • Auburn, CA 95604
The Confluence Winter 2004OutingsAudubon/PARC Outing We will visit three significant birding locations
of the Confluence Area. The Robie Point, Stage Coach Trail and
the Old Quarry Road areas offer varying habitats for resident
and migrant birds. We can also take a look at CDF's shaded fuel
break, in the Robie Point Area, that simulates a low intensity
under story fire. Possible birds we may see on this outing include:
Band-Tailed Pigeons, American Dipper, Common Merganser, Wrentits
and Golden-Crowned Kinglets. A moderate amount of walking will
be expected. Geology Excursion into the American River Restoration
Area and Knickerbocker Creek Hiking the Cool to Auburn trail geologist Laird Thompson will visually guide us through the maze of observable geological Foothill faults that run through the Auburn dam site. He will discuss their significance as it relates to the reservoir induced seismicity phenomenon. Tucked into a secret side canyon just a short distance from the former dam site Knickerbocker Creek has incised a narrow gorge filled with cascading waterfalls that flow into the American River. We can view the gorge from the rim and Laird will explain the geologic phenomenon that formed this gorge that is more characteristic of high elevation gorges carved by glaciers. Approximately five miles round trip for entire hike. American Creek Canyon Excursion
in Search of the California Newt The California Newt is a fairly large salamander
with a yellow to orange belly from which it derives its nick name
FireBelly. The slow moving FireBelly migrates from beneath logs
and rock crevices to creeks in winter and spring for breeding.
The young are born with external gills which metamorphose into
lungs. FireBelly newts are toxic to predators including humans.
It is recommended that you wash your hands after touching these
animals. We will hike approximately four miles round trip in and
out of the canyon along the heavily wooded American Creek between
Cool and Georgetown. Some short steep areas. Bring a lunch.
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