News Release Archive

New Melones Lake Activities for Autumn 2014 Support the Let’s Move Outside Initiative

Media Contact: Erin Curtis, 916-978-5100, eccurtis@usbr.gov

For Release: September 23, 2014

SONORA, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation announces the fall interpretive programs at New Melones Lake. All activities are free and suitable for all ages; most do not require reservations. Participants should wear sturdy shoes and clothing appropriate for the weather. A water bottle and sunscreen are recommended. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Mormon Creek Paddle
Sunday, Oct. 19, 10 a.m.
Tuttletown Recreation Area
Experience the beauty of New Melones from a unique perspective on this Ranger-led paddling tour. We will launch from Tuttletown, hugging the shoreline past the campgrounds, and up Mormon Creek. Along the way we will look for river otters, bald eagles, osprey, and other wildlife. This outing is open to experienced swimmers with their own kayak or other non-motorized boat. Expect to be out for 3 hours. Participants need to bring their own boat, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket (properly fitting and serviceable), paddles, sunscreen, hat, water, and lunch. Each child under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Space is limited, and pre-registration is required. Please contact Ranger Hilary at 209-536-9094 ext. 236 to reserve your place. We will meet at the Tuttletown Entrance Station at 10 a.m. Participants will be given a parking pass for the duration of the event.

Creepy Crawlies of Natural Bridges
Saturday, Oct. 25, 10 a.m.
Natural Bridges
Come out for a hike to discover some of the “scary” critters at New Melones Lake. Find out about their importance in our ecosystem and why they’re really not scary at all! We will bring along microscopes to examine some of the creepy crawlies we find along the way! This is a moderate-to-strenuous hike, 2 miles roundtrip; participants may return uphill at their own pace. Please bring water, snacks, and wear shoes appropriate for hiking. We will meet at the Natural Bridges Trailhead parking lot off of Parrotts Ferry Road at 10 a.m.  Dogs are not allowed on the Natural Bridges trail.

Eagles and Osprey Kayaking Tour
Saturday, Nov. 1, 10 a.m.
New Melones Lake Visitor Center
Coyote Creek is the home for year-round raptors! Join Ranger Hilary on this kayak birding adventure. We will launch from the Mark Twain Day Use Area then traverse across the lake and up Coyote Creek. This will be a strenuous paddling tour. Expect to be out on the water 4 to 5 hours. This outing is open to experienced swimmers with their own kayak or other non-motorized boat. Participants need to bring their own boat, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket (properly fitted and serviceable), paddles, sunscreen, hat, water, and lunch; waterproof binoculars are recommended for this event. Space is limited, and pre-registration is required. Please contact Ranger Hilary at 209-536-9094 ext. 236 to reserve your place. We will meet at the New Melones Lake Visitor Center at 10 a.m.

Geocaching Tuttletown’s Trails
Sunday, Nov. 9, 10 a.m.
Tuttletown Recreation Area
“There’s gold in them thar hills!” Ranger Greg has hidden trinkets along the trails in Tuttletown, and it’s your job to find them! Cash in on the Geocaching craze and join us in Tuttletown! This is a moderate 3-mile roundtrip hike. We will meet at the Tuttletown Entrance Station at 10 a.m. Bring your GPS unit or download an app on your phone before the event. Participants will be given a parking pass for the duration of the event.

Melones Branch of the Sierra Railway
Saturday, Nov. 15, 10 a.m.
Peoria Wildlife Management Area
Traverse the historic route of the Melones Branch of the Sierra Railway and discover how the Melones Dam was built! This is a moderate 4-mile roundtrip hike. We will meet at the Peoria Wildlife Equestrian Staging Area on Peoria Flat Road at 10 a.m.

Capture Composition in 10 Ways
Sunday, Nov. 23, 10 a.m.
Angels Creek Trail, Glory Hole Recreation Area
You don’t need expensive equipment to take meaningful photographs. Composition before you click is the true key to success. Bring your camera or cell phone and get some pointers on pictures! This will be a moderate 2.5-mile hike along the Angels Creek Trail. We will meet at the Glory Hole Entrance Station at 10 a.m. and caravan to the Angels Creek Trailhead. Participants will be given a parking pass for the duration of the event.

Mark Twain’s Trials, Tales and Trails
Saturday, Nov. 29, 10 a.m.
New Melones Visitor Center
Step back in time to experience Mark Twain’s past while we follow the Sierra Railroad’s tracks that traversed through the winding foothills from Angels Camp to Jamestown. This is an easy 2.5-mile hike. We will meet at the New Melones Visitor Center at 10 a.m. and caravan to the Stevenot Bridge.

Carson Creek’s Cultural Kayaking Tour
Sunday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m.
Glory Hole Recreation Area
Carson Creek is filled with history. Join us as we explore what the receding water levels reveal from the past. Launching from Glory Hole Point, we will hug the shoreline past the Marina and up Carson Creek. This outing is open to experienced swimmers with their own kayak or other non-motorized boat. Expect to be out 3 to 4 hours. Participants need to bring their own boat, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket (properly fitted and serviceable), paddles, sunscreen, hat, water, and lunch. Space is limited, and pre-registration is required. Please contact Ranger Hilary at 209-536-9094 ext. 236 to reserve your place. We will meet at the Glory Hole Entrance Station at 10 a.m. Participants will be given a parking pass for the duration of the event.

Everything Is Connected
Saturday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m.
New Melones Visitor Center
Everything in nature is dependent on everything else. The alteration of the natural environment can cause either positive or unintended negative effects to the ecosystem. Join us on a short journey along the Norwegian Gulch Trail and find out how we are all connected in the biological web of life. This is an easy 1-mile hike. We will meet at the New Melones Visitor Center at 10 a.m.

French Flat Frisbee Golf
Sunday, Dec. 21, 10 a.m.
French Flat
Come out for the fun of our first-ever Frisbee golf interpretive program! Rangers will set a course filled with clues about the natural and cultural history of New Melones Lake. Hit the targets, gain the clues, and answer the questions to win a prize! This will be a 9-hole course set in the rambling oak woodlands of French Flat. Participants will be walking through tall grass, so long pants (and your own Frisbee) are required. We will meet at the corner of Shell and Rawhide Roads at 10 a.m. and caravan to French Flat for a great game of golf!

If This Rock Could Talk
Table Mountain
Saturday, Dec. 27, 10 a.m.
Join us on a hike though time and discover the geologic wonders of Table Mountain. Learn where this lava flow originated and the processes that occurred to create such a beautiful landmark. This is a challenging 3-mile hike with a ¼-mile series of steep, rocky switchbacks that leads to the top for grand views of New Melones Lake. We will meet at the corner of Shell and Rawhide Roads at 10 a.m.

If you would like to participate in a program and need accommodation, please contact Park Ranger Hilary Maxworthy at 209-536-9094 ext. 236 or email hmaxworthy@usbr.gov a minimum of 14 days in advance.

All hikes tie into First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move Outsideinitiative, http://www.letsmove.gov/lets-move-outside. The First Lady’s goal is to solve the problem of childhood obesity by encouraging children to increase physical activity on America’s public lands and waterways and by eating healthier. And where better for the public to enjoy the great outdoors than at a Reclamation facility like New Melones.

The New Melones Visitor Center and Museum is managed by Reclamation’s Central California Area Office and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For additional information on activities, directions, pet restrictions, or other questions, please call 209-536-9543 (TTY 800-877-8339) or visit the New Melones Lake website at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/newmelones/index.html.

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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.