***This hike is full and registration is closed. For more upcoming hikes, please see our event calendar.***
Join us for a hike to explore our Big Hill Preserves in the quiet winter season. We’ll see some spectacular views of the Sierra Nevada mountains, the rolling foothills, and the Sacramento Valley, and learn about the local flora and fauna.
Date & Time: Saturday, February 15, 2020, 9:00am
Location: Big Hill Preserves, North Auburn
Distance and difficulty: 4-5 miles, easy to moderate; some rough terrain with a gain in elevation of around 500 ft.
Who should attend: This hike is not recommended for children under 7, or for those who are unable to hike at a slow to moderate pace to keep up with the group. Please wear sturdy hiking shoes or tennis shoes. Sorry, no dogs allowed unless they are service animals (due to the potential conflicts with livestock and wildlife).
About Taylor Ranch / Big Hill Preserves:
The Big Hill Preserves consist of four separate but adjacent preserves, and permanently protect critical lands in the Raccoon Creek and Bear River watersheds. This region includes the largest remaining unfragmented oak woodlands in Placer County, and one of the last relatively “wild” areas in western Placer County. The Preserves include 7+ miles of trails, which meander past spectacular rock formations, the gently flowing Raccoon Creek, and panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada foothills and Sacramento Valley. Learn more about Big Hill Preserves here.
This is a wilderness outing in a natural setting: there is no drinking water available. Please plan ahead and bring what you will need.
Participants must sign a release of liability available here: Liability Waiver
Please print and bring it with you. One form per person. Parent signature is required for children under 18.
This is a free event, however donations help make these activities possible! We suggest a donation of $10 per person (or $25 for family) made online after you register for the event. We can also accept checks at the event, or cash in an envelope with your name written on the envelope.
The deadline to sign up is 12pm the business day prior to the event, or when the event is full. Space is limited and our events typically fill up. Please only register if you will be attending so that you don’t take a spot away from someone else. You may register yourself and other members of your immediate household by adding their name on the registration form, but if there are more than 5 people please contact our office before registering to see if we can accommodate you. Any guests outside of your household must register themselves. If you sign up and can no longer attend, please contact Janet in our office at 530-887-9222 or janet.voris@placerlandtrust.org.
This event is subject to cancellation in the event of extreme weather, bad air quality, rain, or other conditions beyond our control.
Directions to the Preserve will be emailed after registration. Check your spam folder if you do not receive the email within 15 minutes of registering.
Important Note: Our Big Hill and Harvego Preserves (including Taylor Ranch Preserve) are not yet open to the public. But because we do want you to enjoy them, we are offering this guided activity which is open to the public by advance registration. Other than our guided activities and our land management activities, Placer Land Trust does not grant permission to individuals to be on our Big Hill or Harvego Preserves. Please help us respect the neighborhoods around these preserves by only visiting during scheduled guided activities that you are registered for. Trespassers will be prosecuted.
The roads surrounding our preserves are private and NOT designed for public foot or bike traffic. Any use beyond that creates a safety hazard for all. Please help us spread the word and respect private property throughout the County. Future open public access of our Preserves depends in part on good neighbor relations and public awareness. Meanwhile, your donations to Placer Land Trust will help accelerate the timeline to open these Preserves to public access by allowing us to leverage community support to partner with Placer County and other funders to acquire and build safe and sensible access points.