Date & Time: Friday, January 26, 2024 at 5:30pm
Location: Laursen “South” Bear River Preserve, North Auburn
Bundle up, pack a thermos of your favorite hot beverage, and be prepared for a unique sensory experience of a Placer Land Trust preserve at night! Our docents will lead you on an early evening adventure in the oak woodlands of the Laursen South Preserve. The night may bring a clear sky with the full “Wolf” moon, or a cloudy and moody moon – either way, prepare to meander through the woods as the moon begins to rise, looking and listening for wildlife and enjoying the sounds of our footsteps in good company!
Guests are asked to bring a flashlight or headlamp, with a red bulb if possible to minimize glare. Guests are also encouraged to bring a camp chair to sit and stay a while and enjoy the night sky as a group when the hike is complete.
Guests arrive as it gets dark, and the moon will rise as the hike progresses so you can watch how the preserve transforms as the night grows darker. You’ll gain a new appreciation for our natural world through this unique experience!
About Laursen Bear River Preserve
This recently acquired preserve, which includes a working cattle ranch, protects vital unfragmented oak woodlands in the Bear River watershed, and is part of one of the last relatively “wild” areas in western Placer County. The preserve is comprised of 361 acres of blue oak woodland and about 1.5 miles of riparian habitat along the banks of the Bear River on the far north side. Learn more about this beautiful preserve here.
Distance and difficulty: This will be an easy outing with about 1.5- 2 miles of walking, mostly on trails, a bit across fields with minimal hills; some uneven terrain. Some of the walking may be off trail in tall grass. The hike will take about an hour and the evening will be about 1.5 – 2 hours long. Guests are encouraged to bring their camp chairs and stay after the hike to enjoy the night sky with their hot beverage in the comfort of the parking area (with port-a-potty nearby).
Who should attend: This hike is recommended for ages 12 and older, who can hike at a slow to moderate pace. This is a short hike and great for those who might be uncertain about our longer, steeper moonlight hikes. Sorry, no dogs are allowed unless they are service animals due to the potential conflicts with livestock and wildlife.
This is a free event; however, donations help make these activities possible! We suggest a donation of $10 per person or $25 for a family. You can donate during registration, and we’re happy to accept cash or a check at the event in an envelope with your name written on it.
Registration:
- You may only register yourself and members of your household. People outside of your household must register themselves.
- The deadline to sign up is 5 pm on Wednesday before the event unless the event fills first.
- Space is limited! Please only register if you will be attending so that you don’t take a spot away from someone else.
- If you signed up and can no longer attend, please contact Elia by email.
Participants must sign a release of liability available here.
Please complete the online waiver by the Friday before the event. One form per adult. Parent signature is required for children under 18.
This activity is a wilderness outing in a natural setting. PLT reserves the right to cancel an event in cases of extreme weather, bad air quality, rain, or other conditions beyond our control.
Directions to the Preserve will be emailed within one business day after you register. Check your spam folder if you do not receive the email within 24 hours of registering.
Important Note: Our Big Hill, Harvego, and Laursen Preserves, including the roads surrounding them, are not open to the public. 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.
