Date & Time: Saturday, April 22, 2023 3pm – 7pm
Location: Big Hill Preserves, North Auburn
Check in/Arrival: Must arrive between 3pm – 5pm
Check out: Anytime between 4pm – 7pm. Gates close shortly thereafter.
Want a place to hike with your family or friends without all of the crowds? How about a quiet stroll through some pristine oak woodlands or views to photograph or paint? Or the perfect spot to bring your family and celebrate about the wonders of nature and the Great Outdoors? Look no further!
This Open Preserve Day is for you to come out and enjoy our Big Hill Preserves on your own! These preserves protect critical unfragmented blue oak woodlands in the Raccoon Creek and Bear River watersheds and are part of one of the last relatively “wild” areas in western Placer County. The trails on these preserves meander past spectacular rock formations, the flowing Raccoon Creek, and panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada foothills and Sacramento Valley.
Placer Land Trust will be hosting a concurrent Plein Air Outing with the Placer Artists Tour for local painters and photographers to capture nature real-time through art, so feel free to wander around to watch local artists at work. They’ll create while you recreate! 😉
We will provide you with a trail map when you arrive, and from there you are free to explore the beautiful preserves at your own pace!
This is a rain or shine event so come prepared for the weather.
Some of the activities you might choose include:
- Enjoy a leisurely nature walk – there are 6.5 miles of trails for you to pick from
- Go on a trail run
- Photograph nature
- Have a picnic – down by the creek or up on a viewpoint
- Do yoga or meditate by the creek, under a tree, or at a viewpoint
- Get creative! Please plan your day accordingly so that you are back to the parking area by 7pm. Gates close shortly thereafter.
What is not allowed at this event:
- Mountain bikes or other bikes
- Motorized vehicles
- Horses
- Dogs (unless leashed service animals)
- No smoking, vaping, open flame or ignition source, or firearms
About Taylor Ranch / Big Hill Preserves:
These preserves protect critical unfragmented oak woodlands in the Raccoon Creek and Bear River watersheds and are part of one of the last relatively “wild” areas in western Placer County. The trails on these preserves meander past spectacular rock formations, the gently flowing Raccoon Creek, and panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada foothills and Sacramento Valley. Learn more about this beautiful preserve here.
Cost: This is a free event; however, donations help make these activities possible! Plus, your donation of any size makes you, and everyone in your household, a Placer Land Trust member for one year. We suggest a donation of $10 per person (or $25 for a family) made online when 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. Your guests are encouraged to also become PLT members by making a donation that is meaningful to them.
Please thoroughly read the PLT Safety Guidelines. If you are not comfortable or able to comply with the safety guidelines, we respectfully ask that you don’t sign up. Our goal is to offer these open preserve day events quarterly.
Registration:
- Deadline to sign up is 5 pm on Wednesday prior to 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.
- YOU AND ANY GUESTS MUST ALL BE REGISTERED IN ORDER TO ATTEND
- If you signed up and can no longer attend, please contact Elia by email.
Participants must sign a release of liability available here. Please print and bring it with you the day of the event. One form per household. Parent signature is required for children under 18.
Important Information and Directions 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 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.
