Putah Creek Reserve Trail| Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area| Fremont Weir State Wildlife Area
Valley Vista Regional Park Trails| Blue Ridge Trail| Fiske Creek Trail
Frog Pond Trail| Rayhouse Road| Road fifty three to Pierce Canyon Falls
*Information for hiking trails collected from Yolohiker.org
PUTAH CREEK RESERVE TRAILYou can do this hike in either direction, and any of the sections. I will describe it from Pedrick road to Old Davis road. Note that the south aspect of the creek is non-public property and the trail is on the north aspect of the property on University land. Do not go on the south side. The space of the creek open to the public is ONLY on the north aspect of the creek between Pedrick Road and Old Davis Road. Upstream from Pedrick Road and downstream from Old Davis Road isn’t open to the basic public or is personal property
Starting at the Pedrick Road parking space, hike east alongside the dust road on the north facet of the creek that parallels the creek. Cross under the Pedrick road bridge, and continue downstream. When the dirt street will get to the hearth ring picnic space, it will become paved. You can walk all the means down to the fireplace ring area, and then back up to the paved section of highway, or continue on a trail near the creek (can be underwater in winter). Continue toward the Brooks street parking area, downstream. From the Brooks Road parking, there’s a trail continuing to Old Davis Road.
Distance: From Pedrick highway to the gravel parking space at the levee, it is 1.2 miles. From the levee to Old Davis road, it is 1.5 miles. No discernible elevation change.
For extra info on the Putah Creek Riparian Reserve, click here.
There is a map downloadable from the University at this hyperlink.
How to get there:
Depending on which trailhead you are going to, there are a variety of how to get to the parking spots.
Be Aware: The south side of the creek is personal property. The trail is on the north side of the creek on University property. Do not hike on the south aspect of the creek.
Pedrick street parking: There is a gravel/wood chip parking area on the north facet of Putah Creek, west of the Pedrick highway bridge, on UCD property. If you are headed south from Russell blvd, flip right simply earlier than the bridge and park within the gravel/wood chip parking space. Sometimes people illegally park on the south facet of the bridge next to the street but that is private property, so do not park there!
Fire ring parking: Take Hopkins Road south, past the airport, till you see the creek. Park off of the facet of the highway, on the north aspect. The hearth ring picnic grounds have picnic tables and a fire pit.
Brooks road parking: Continue on Hopkins highway past the airport, go past the hearth ring parking, and proceed on the paved highway until it begins to curve north, and you see the beginning of the gravel levee street. Park outside of the levee gate in the gravel parking space. The trail starts at the gravel area, and parallels the creek. There are two picnic tables right here as nicely.
Old Davis Road Parking: There is a brand new parking space at Old Davis Road. It is on the north side of the creek, downstream from the bridge. It is a big gravel area, and the gate is all the time open. Park right here, as a substitute of the aspect of the street. It’s a lot safer. There are two picnic tables here as nicely. Don’t park on the south side of the bridge, since that is personal property!
YOLO BYPASS WILDLIFE AREAThere are quite a few loop trails across the wetlands. While the area is very flat, the lure of this space is the convenience of strolling for all ages, the ample wildlife (especially throughout bird migrations), and the proximity to West Sacramento and Davis. Enjoy our local wildlife area!
Distance: There are numerous looping paths, so the space could be as much as you like.
How to get there:
From Davis, take Chiles road or I-80 east. Take the Chiles Road exit (if on I-80), and drive up the levee entry ramp, following the indicators to the parking space in the Bypass. There are a quantity of parking areas and trailheads to expertise the wetlands.
FREMONT WEIR STATE WILDLIFE AREAFrom the west facet, park at Road 116 and hike on the river side of the weir. You can see fantastic riparian forests and the Sacramento River.
From the east facet, park at the prime of the levee, and hike north alongside the levee, till you attain the weir. Then hike west, between the weir and the river, similar because the western hike.
Distance: There are no developed trails, so the space may be as a lot as you like.
How to get there- West Side Access
Access to the Wildlife Area from the West is on Road 116A. From Woodland and Davis, take Road 102 north of Woodland. Turn east on Road 16 (right), then north (left) on Road 116B, and east (right) on Road 116A. Park on the end of the street.
East Side Access:
From Woodland And Davis, take I-5 towards Sacramento, and get off immediately after the causeway, before the bridge over the Sacramento River, onto Old River Road. Turn left and go beneath the highway, then immediately flip right onto Road 117. Continue on 117 until you hit Road 16. Turn left onto Road 16, and drive to the tip of the street and up onto the levee. Park on the side of the street on the levee.
VALLEY VISTA REGIONAL PARK TRAILS
Yolo County bought this 614-acre ranch around 2000 or so. It was an exquisite buy, because it linked up Camp Haswell Park to Bureau of Land Management public land on Blue Ridge. In 2010, it was named Valley Vista Regional Park.
Tuleyome volunteers built the primary official trail, the Valley Vista Trail, ranging from throughout the highway from Camp Haswell, and rising as much as be part of the present trail which leads from the bottom of the hill at the freeway, as a lot as a excessive level known as Rumsey Knob. Rumsey Knob is a scenic overlook of the Capay Valley and Rumsey Canyon. It’s steep as much as the spur ridge to the overlook, rising 1700 feet in 2 miles. A nice hike is as a lot as the first knoll (about 1.3 miles every way) with a picnic desk for eating lunch and having fun with the view. Portions of the trail could be steep, so deliver good footwear and hiking poles.
Distance: 4 mile spherical trip, if you go all the greatest way to the overlook and again. Some proceed on a hearth break up towards Blue Ridge and Fiske Peak. A portion of that is bushwhacking up to the ridge, as quickly as the hearth break ends.
How to get there:
From Yolo county, Woodland and Davis, take Highway sixteen up the Capay Valley. Pass by way of Capay, Guinda, and Rumsey. Camp Haswell Park might be in your proper, just after Rumsey. The first trail can be accessed throughout the freeway from Camp Haswell. There is a sign for Valley Vista Regional park on the trailhead Park on the pullout on the facet of the freeway. The hike winds up the aspect of the hill, with straightforward switchbacks cut into the hillside.
The second trail is past Camp Haswell, around the bend and previous the bridge over Cache Creek. After crossing the Highway 16 bridge over Cache Creek, park on the aspect of the street immediately after the bridge, on the north facet of the highway. The hike begins at a gate on the south facet of the street, immediately earlier than the bridge, so you will have to stroll again across the bridge to reach the trail. There is not any parking directly on the trailhead.
BLUE RIDGE TRAIL- NORTHDefinitely not for novices. Also, be sure and go throughout cooler climate, because you’re going to get fairly heat going up the trail. That stated, here’s what the hike is like:
The hike starts the same as the Frog Pond Trail. You cross the low water bridge of Rayhouse highway (a.k.a. street 40), then follow the highway to your left, passing through the yellow gate with the solar formed sample on the fencing. This access street takes you to a small clearing. On your right you will notice the metal sign saying the Blue Ridge Trail. Follow the trail up Still Gulch, as it winds to the top of Blue ridge. You begin off in the trees, but after a couple of turns you will find yourself within the more open hillsides of the ridge. At the primary clearing you will be able to get a clear view of Glascock mountain on the opposite facet of the creek and highway. You will shortly start your ascent of the ridge. Once you attain the highest of the ridge, the trail levels off, and you have only a few short up-and-downs to get to Fiske peak. Be positive to look for the metal USGS survey marker at the high of the height. That’s how you realize you might have really arrived! (as if the panorama of the valley beneath would not inform you.) The trail continues along the ridge to the Fiske Creek Rd. trailhead. If you piece together this hike with the Blue ridge south hike, you’ll have the ability to have a very long loop.
Distance: 4 miles from the trailhead to Fiske Peak. (one way) Total elevation gain of 2100 ft.
How to get there:
From Yolo county, Woodland and Davis, take Highway 16 up the Capay valley. Once you pass the city of Rumsey, you begin to enter the Cache Creek Canyon. The highway will slim and you will be driving with the creek on one aspect and the canyon walls on the other. When you see the Cache Creek regional park signal on your left, flip into the parking space. This is the lower park site of three that Yolo county runs as park of Cache Creek Regional park. You can park within the parking space, or at numerous pullouts on Rayhouse highway, earlier than the seasonally-closed gate. Walk down Rayhouse street, past the gate, right down to and across the low water bridge. The trailhead begins downstream from the bridge, on the aspect of the creek opposite the Highway.
BLUE RIDGE TRAIL- SOUTH
This hike is for people who do not need to work too onerous going uphill, but still want the vistas that the Blue Ridge trail from Cache Creek gives you.
The hike starts on the parking area and climbs about 200′ up to the ridge. Once on the ridge, follow the ridgeline north till you get to Fiske peak. Once on the ridge it is rolling and pretty easy.
Distance: 1.4 miles from the parking space off of Fiske Creek Road to Lowrey peak (one way). Total elevation acquire of 400 ft to Lowery peak. four miles to Fiske peak from the parking space off of Fiske Creek Road.
How to get there:
NOTE: As of March, 2009, the low-water bridge over Cache Creek on Road forty (Rayhouse Road) in Yolo County is closed to automobile traffic as a result of piers being undermined. To get to this trailhead you will want to hike, bike, or horseback journey in. I have no idea if the entry from the Napa/Lake County side is passable.
From Yolo county, Woodland and Davis, take Highway sixteen up the Capay valley. Once you cross the town of Rumsey, you begin to enter the Cache Creek Canyon. The street will slender and you’ll be driving with the creek on one side and the canyon partitions on the opposite. When you see the Cache Creek regional park signal in your left, turn into the parking space. This is the lower park web site of three that Yolo county runs as park of Cache Creek Regional park. You can park within the parking area, or at numerous pullouts on Rayhouse street, earlier than the gate. If you need to drive up Rayhouse street, you must make certain it is open and that you have four wheel drive. Drive up Rayhouse road until you attain the highest of a saddle, and you see a BLM road signal at a 4-way intersection. Go East (left), and finally you’ll get to a parking area at the headwaters of Fiske Creek, at the base of Blue Ridge. There is a gravel parking space, and this is where the trail starts.
FISKE CREEK TRAIL
The Fiske Creek Trail is one of the greatest undiscovered gems in Yolo County. Breathtaking views of Blue Ridge, a cool creek, and expansive glades of Blue oak make this a pleasure to hike.
Starting from Rayhouse road, the trail begins off pretty level, then begins to drop all the method down to the creek. The creek is about 1.5 miles from the trailhead, mostly downhill (remember that you want to climb up this hill in your way again, however!). It is 4 miles to the top of the trail at Fiske Creek Road.
Once you reach the creek after 1.5 miles from Rayhouse, you by no means actually leave it. You cross the creek a minimum of half a dozen occasions, and there are many opportunities to splash within the water!
Distance: The trailhead for Fiske Creek trail is 2.5 miles up Rayhouse street. You can drive or hike this, relying on if the highway is open. The Fiske Creek Trail is 4 miles, one way, from the trailhead off of Rayhouse street to the top of the trail at Fiske Creek road. The trail starts at elevation 1540 at Rayhouse road, drops to 1200, and slowly rises to 1740 at Fiske Creek Road.
How to get there:
NOTE: As of March, 2009, the low-water bridge over Cache Creek on Road 40 (Rayhouse Road) in Yolo County is closed to vehicle traffic because of the piers being undermined. To get to this trailhead you will need to hike, bike, or horseback journey in. I have no idea if the entry from the Napa/Lake County side is satisfactory.
From Yolo county, Woodland and Davis, take Highway sixteen up the Capay valley. Once you pass the town of Rumsey, you start to enter the Cache Creek Canyon. The street will narrow and you’ll be driving with the creek on one aspect and the canyon walls on the opposite. When you see the Cache Creek regional park signal on your left, flip into the parking area. This is the lower park website of three that Yolo county runs as park of Cache Creek Regional park. You can park within the parking area, or at numerous pullouts on Rayhouse highway, before the gate. Walk down Rayhouse street, previous the gate, right down to the low water bridge. If Rayhouse Road is open, you’ll be able to drive the three miles alongside Rayhouse street to the Fiske Creek trailhead off of Rayhouse street. The trailhead has an indication, and the easiest way to be sure to do not miss it is to search for the rusty steel cylinder (the old Sulphur Spring) on the right-hand aspect of the road, at about the three mile mark. The trailhead shall be in your left.
FROG POND TRAIL
The Frog pond trail hike takes you thru oak woodlands to a small pond. The pond is alleged to have some very large frogs residing in and around its shores. Some say this hike is strenuous, however it really is nothing in comparability with the Blue Ridge Trail. I assume it’s a great hike with a selection of fabulous views of Cortina ridge, Glascock mountain, and some gorgeous blue-oak woodlands.
The hike begins the same because the Blue Ridge Trail. You cross the low water bridge of Rayhouse road (a.k.a. street 40), then observe the road to your right. After you pass by the stone barn and stone home, you will notice the trail on the best aspect of the street. Turn right off of Rayhouse highway and start the hike as a lot as the pond. The trail is 5 miles lengthy, and lassos around, forming a nice partial loop. One of the most effective brief hikes in the area. If you may be there on a sizzling day in early summer season, take a dip in the frog pond. Click right here to hear to a recording of a vocal frog by the pond. (Sam Bledsoe recorded this throughout certainly one of our hikes. This was truly recorded at the frog pond, so what you hear on the web page, you will more than likely hear on the hike!)
Distance: 3.5 miles round-trip. Total elevation gain of 660 feet
How to get there:From Yolo county, Woodland and Davis, take Highway sixteen up the Capay valley. Once you cross the town of Rumsey, you begin to enter the Cache Creek Canyon. The road will slim and you might be driving with the creek on one aspect and the canyon walls on the opposite. When you see the Cache Creek regional park signal on your left, flip into the parking area. This is the lower park website of three that Yolo county runs as park of Cache Creek Regional park. You can park within the parking space, or at a number of pullouts on Rayhouse street, earlier than the seasonally-closed gate. Walk down Rayhouse street, previous the gate, right down to the low water bridge. Cross the bridge and proceed alongside the highway till you cross the stone barn and stone home. The trailhead will be about a tenth of a mile past the house, along the highway.
RAYHOUSE ROADThis hike is alongside a mud road that results in the top of of the ridge. Normally, I would hardly contemplate hiking along a street as being a hike. However, this is no ordinary street. Rayhouse street is closed extra typically than it’s open, making it the proper hiking space throughout winter and early spring. It is also a great area to mountain bike, and leads you to a variety of the most spectacular views in the area (second only to blue ridge).
The hike starts the same because the Blue Ridge trail and Frog pond trail. You start out by crossing the low water bridge, and turning proper, following the street. Follow the street the whole way up to the ridgeline. Along the finest way, you’ll be handled to attractive views of Blue ridge, Fiske Creek canyon, and Glascock mountain. The trail winds via blue oak woodland, chaparral and grassland. At the highest, you will be treated to 360 degree views, and a view of the complete Blue ridge. Spectacular.
From the 4-way intersection of Lang’s Peak highway, Fiske Creek road, and Rayhouse road, you could have the choice of turning back, hiking down to Cache creek alongside Lang’s peak street, hiking to Davis Creek reservoir, or hiking Fiske creek highway to the southern Blue ridge trail hike. All of those points are distant, so it’s a two day journey to continue on. I usually just hike again down, my want for nice vistas having been happy.
Distance: 5 miles from the low-water bridge to the Four Corners on the high of the mountain, a technique. 1800 foot elevation acquire.
How to get there:
From Yolo county, Woodland and Davis, take Highway sixteen up the Capay valley. Once you cross the city of Rumsey, you start to enter the Cache Creek Canyon. The street will slim and you could be driving with the creek on one aspect and the canyon partitions on the opposite. When you see the Cache Creek regional park signal on your left, flip into the parking area. This is the lower park site of three that Yolo county runs as park of Cache Creek Regional park. You can park in the parking area, or at a variety of pullouts on Rayhouse road, earlier than the gate. Walk down Rayhouse road, past the gate, right down to the low water bridge.
ROAD fifty three TO THE PIERCE CANYON FALLSYou have two options for this hike. If you park on the Guinda post workplace, hike up Forrest ave. (aka. Road 53) toward the mountains. At the top of the paved part of the street, the highway will flip left (south) and you will note a gate (see the picture on the side). The gate may have two signs on it; the primary signal might be within the heart, and can read: Livestock – Keep gate closed. The second sign will say No Trespassing, and may have a handwritten message saying ‘All the land behind this gate is personal property. Trespassers will be prosecuted by the proprietor.’ The sign is deceptive. Yes, all the land is non-public, but it is a PUBLIC street. So you might hike it, bike it, and even drive it (though I wouldn’t recommend it; it’s fairly rough). Like I mentioned, not only did I affirm it’s a public road by the County, but also by speaking with other landowners off of the highway. Again, stay on the road, and you may be nice.
Ok, so on to the hike description. First, after you get to the gate mentioned above, both climb over (when it’s locked within the winter by the County) or open, walk via, and shut it behind you. Hike along the street, staying on the principle street. You’ll see a pair roads department off to the left and proper. The one on the left is non-public, and is marked Bud Light Drive (great sense of humor). The second goes proper, between huge stone pillars that mark a private drive to the Casey Flat Ranch. Road 53 goes straight. You’ll wind up via Pierce Canyon, which has breathtaking steep cliffs, a nice creek, and beautiful oaks. Eventually you will wind away from the creek, heading into the hills. About three miles from the gate, you’ll get to one of the best view of the falls. I often finish the trip here, since the road goes on for an additional mile and a half however your finest vistas finish right here. You can still wind via oak woodlands if you continue the hike, nevertheless, so it is up to you. Remember, if you see the top of the county street signal, that is so far as the public right-of-way goes. The hike to the falls overlook is a 1000-foot elevation acquire. I’ve posted a video of the falls, under.
Bottom line: Frankly, I love this hike. There is nowhere else in the Blue Ridge between Rumsey and Winters where you probably can see the non-public lands, oak woodlands, and great gorges which are back there. This road/trail takes you into the heart of the mountains above the Capay Valley, and is truly a treasure. Use it, get pleasure from it, and ensure this public right-of-way stays within the public domain. It’s additionally the closest hike to Woodland and Davis, exterior of Cold Canyon, so it’s nice for a fast getaway.
Distance: The entire hike is between 6 to 8 miles, out and back to and from the falls. It’s 6 miles spherical journey should you park on the finish of the paved highway (park 500-feet from the gate as the realm between the gate and 500-feet back is a No Parking zone). If you park on the Post Office, it is an eight mile round journey.
How to get there:
How to get there: From Yolo County, take Highway sixteen to Guinda. You have two options for where to park and begin this hike. Option 1 is to park at the publish workplace in Guinda, located throughout from the general retailer. Option 2 is to turn left at the Guinda common retailer, and drive one mile again to the top of the paved part of Road fifty three, and park on the facet of the road. Be aware that there’s a ‘No Parking’ zone from the gate at the finish of Road 53, until about 500-feet to the east, simply before the last residential driveway. You are free to park on the aspect of the highway before the ‘No Parking’ zone. Option 2 takes two miles off the spherical trip. Just remember to not block any gates or the roadway.