News Release Archive

Reclamation Schedules Weekend Hikes and Speaker Series at New Melones Lake

Media Contact: Jeffrey McCracken, 916-978-5100, 10/17/2007 18:31

For Release: October 17, 2007

The Bureau of Reclamation announces its schedule for upcoming weekend hikes and a variety of guest speakers at New Melones Lake Visitor Center.

Hikes

• On Saturday, October 20, 2007, beginning at 10 a.m., take a hike to "The Wildlands of Table Mountain." Park Ranger Alex Encoyand will explore the natural history of the Table Mountain area including its geologic formation and impacts from the Gold Rush. A variety of tree species, animal tracks, and signs will be identified along the way. The hike begins at the Table Mountain trailhead at the end of Shell Road; this is a moderately strenuous 2-hour hike.
  
  
• On Saturday, October 27, 2007, beginning at 10 a.m., experience "The Trails of Natural Bridges." Join Park Ranger Alex Encoyand for a hike to Coyote Creek and the Upper Natural Bridge. Ranger Encoyand will focus on the identification of trees and animal tracks along the trail. Hear about the native lore and history of the foundations and the Natural Bridges. This is a moderate 2-hour, 1½-mile hike with a few short, steep, and rocky areas. Meet at the trailhead to Natural Bridges on Parrotts Ferry Road, 3 miles north of Columbia. Pets are not permitted on the Natural Bridges Trail.
  
  
• Hike participants should wear good hiking shoes and clothing appropriate for the weather; they should also bring trail snacks and water.

Speaker Series

• On Thursday evenings beginning at 7 p.m. throughout October and November, listen to a variety of guest speakers at New Melones Lake Visitor Center.
  
  
• On Thursday, October 18, 2007, hear a presentation on "Birds of Prey." Explore the mysterious lives of these amazing birds that call New Melones Lake their home. Soar with an eagle and hunt fish with an osprey as Park Ranger Alex Encoyand uncovers their feeding and hunting habits, explains why they are significant, and how we can help keep them soaring in the skies.
  
  
• On Thursday, November 1, 2007, hear about the "Wonders of the Fall Night Sky." In a presentation by local amateur astronomers Denise Combs, Frank Gualt, and Mike O'Neill, learn about the fall constellations, sky movements, and view deep-sky wonders (like the great Orion Nebula and distant galaxies) through big telescopes. Please wear warm clothes and bring a flashlight. This event will be subject to weather and viewing conditions. An alternate program will be an indoor slideshow "Tour of the Universe," presented by Frank Gualt, which includes rare NASA slides.
  
  
• On Thursday, November 15, 2007, experience "Wildlife Wonders." Have you ever wondered what to do when you find an injured or orphaned animal? Join us as Susan Manning, Director of Animal Care with Tri County Wildlife Care, will be here to share stories and photographs from her 13 years of wildlife rehabilitation experience including songbirds, raptors, fawns, squirrels, skunks, foxes, coyotes, and bobcats. Tri County Wildlife Care provides rescue and rehabilitation care of orphaned or injured wildlife in Amador, Calaveras, and eastern San Joaquin counties.
  
  
• On Thursday, November 29, 2007, learn about "Melones: a Glimpse of the Past." For thousands of years people inhabited the location known as Melones. Local archaeologist Julia Costello will provide a glimpse of the once-thriving community that now rests beneath the waters of New Melones Lake.

All presentations begin at 7 p.m. at the New Melones Lake Visitor Center, 6850 Studhorse Flat Road, Sonora, CA 95370. The fall speaker series is free of charge and no reservations are necessary.  Map

For additional information visit the website at: http://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/field_offices/new_melones/news_info/index.html, or call the Visitor Center at 209-536-9543, Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Visitor Center is located on Highway 49 midway between the historic Gold Rush towns of Sonora and Angels Camp.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.

Relevant Link:

New Melones Website