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New Melones Lake
Activities for all in Fall 2012
melones

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

Mormon Creek Paddle

Saturday, Nov. 10, 10 a.m.

Tuttletown Boat Launch, 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 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 at this event. 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.

Duchess Mine – An Unknown Gem

Sunday, Nov. 11, 10 a.m.

Parrotts Ferry Bridge Parking Area on Calaveras County Side

Get a unique perspective of the Stanislaus River on this strenuous hike to the top of Table Mountain via Duchess Mine trail. We will discuss the history, geology and plant life of this hidden gem. This is a strenuous 3.5-mile hike to the top. We will meet at the Parrotts Ferry parking area on the Calaveras County side of Parrotts Ferry Bridge at 10 a.m.

The Stars Over New Melones Lake

Saturday, Nov. 17, 7 p.m.

New Melones Visitor Center

Join local astronomer Denise Combs and discover fall’s constellations, sky movements and other deep sky objects such as distant galaxies, nebulae, or global clusters! Please wear warm clothes and bring a flashlight.

Geocaching Peoria Basin

Sunday, Nov. 18, 10 a.m.

Equestrian Staging Area, Peoria Recreation Area

Join the Geocaching craze! Rangers have hidden trinkets along the trail on the way to the Dam Overlook, and all you have is your GPS device and the coordinates: will you be able to find the hidden treasures? Come out to find out! Participants must bring their own equipment. This is a moderate 3-mile roundtrip hike. We will meet at the Peoria Wildlife Equestrian Staging Area on Peoria Flat Road at 10 a.m.

Table Mountain Holiday Hike

Saturday, Nov. 24, 10 a.m.

Table Mountain

Work off that extra helping of stuffing on a ranger-led hike to the top of Table Mountain. This is a moderate-to-strenuous hike, 3 miles roundtrip, with a steady ½-mile climb to the top of Table Mountain. Please bring water, snacks and wear shoes appropriate for hiking. We will meet at the corner of Shell and Rawhide Roads at 10 a.m.

Angels Creek Kayak

Saturday, Dec. 1, 10 a.m.

Angels Creek Boat Launch, Glory Hole Recreation Area

Experience the beauty of New Melones from a unique perspective on this ranger-led paddling tour. We will launch from the Angels Creek Boat Launch in the Glory Hole Recreation Area. We will hug the shoreline and head up Angels Creek inlet. This outing is open to experienced swimmers with their own kayak or other non-motorized boat. Expect to be out paddling for 3 hours. Participants need to bring their own boat, USCG-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 at this event. We will meet at the Glory Hole Entrance Station Area at 10 a.m. Participants will be given a parking pass for the duration of the event.

The Little Engine That Could

Sunday, Dec. 2, 10 a.m.

New Melones Visitor Center

Experience the Mother Lode’s past while we follow the tracks that traversed through the winding foothills from Angels Camp to Jamestown. This is an easy 2.5-mile hike along the old Sierra Railroad tracks. We will meet at the New Melones Visitor Center at 10 a.m. and then caravan to the Stevenot Bridge.

People of the Past

Saturday, Dec. 8, 10 a.m.

Angels Creek trail, Glory Hole Recreation Area

New Melones Lake has been the home of different people over the centuries. Come and explore along the Angels Creek trail and find the evidence of People of the Past. This is a moderate 3-mile hike. We will meet at the Glory Hole Entrance Station at 10 a.m. and then caravan down to the Angels Creek trailhead. Participants will receive a parking pass for the duration of the event.

Tuttletown Trails Mountain Bike

Sunday, Dec. 9, 10 a.m.

Tuttletown Entrance Station

Join our first Mountain Biking Interpretive event! We will bike the 8 miles of new Tuttletown trail system and discuss along the way the process of building trails that last. Participants will need to bring their own bike, helmet and safety equipment required for this event. Space is limited, and pre-registration is required. To register, please contact Ranger Hilary at 209-536-9094 ext. 236. 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.

Geocaching Norwegian Gulch Trail

Saturday, Dec. 15, 10 a.m.

New Melones Visitor Center

If you missed our first Geocaching event or enjoyed it so much you want more – here is your opportunity. Rangers have hidden treasures along the Norwegian Gulch trail: will you be able to find them? Along the way, learn about the fascinating history of this area. Participants must bring their own equipment. This is an easy 1-mile hike. We will meet at the New Melones Visitor Center at 10 a.m.

Winter Landscape Photography Hike

Sunday, Dec. 16, 10 a.m.

Table Mountain

Bring your camera, owner’s manual and tripod on this hike along the base of Table Mountain. We will take our time to compose shots capturing the beauty of a barren winter landscape and towering Table Mountain. We will discuss the importance of and experiment with composition along the way. This is an easy 2-mile hike. We will meet at the intersection of Shell and Rawhide Roads at 10 a.m.

Natural Bridges Geology

Saturday, Dec. 22, 10 a.m.

Natural Bridges Trailhead off of Parrotts Ferry Road

Join us on a hike down to Natural Bridges and learn about the geology that makes this area so unique! 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.

Glory Hole Trails Mountain Bike

Saturday, Dec. 29, 10 a.m.

Glory Hole Entrance Station

Were you unable to join us on our Tuttletown Mountain Biking event, or did you really enjoy it and want more? Well, now we’re biking Glory Hole! These are established trails that we can compare with Tuttletown. We will bike Carson Creek, down to Angels Creek and back up Tower Climb. This is a strenuous mountain biking event! Participants will need to bring their own bike, helmet and safety equipment. Space is limited, and pre-registration is required. To register, please contact Ranger Hilary at 209-536-9094 ext. 236. 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.

If you would like to participate in a program and need accommodation, please contact Park Ranger Tracy Neal at 209-536-9094 ext. 215 or email tneal@usbr.gov a minimum of 14 days in advance. Ranger-led activities support the Department of the Interior’s Let’s Move Outside initiative which was created to encourage children and their families to enjoy outdoor activities, which abound in every city, town and community … and where better for the public to appreciate and enjoy the great outdoors than at a Reclamation facility like New Melones? (www.letsmove.gov/lets-move-outside)

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 www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/newmelones/index.html.