This hike is full and registration is closed. See our calendar for more outings!
Date & Time: Sunday, February 1st, 2026 at 5:00 pm
Location: Laursen “South” Bear River Preserve, North Auburn
Join our docents on an early evening hike in the oak woodlands of the Laursen South Preserve. The night may bring a clear sky with the full “Snow” 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!
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. 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 as a group and enjoy the night sky when the hike is complete.
Let our trained docents help you explore our natural wonders under the light of the moon! Guests arrive as it begins to get 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!
Distance and difficulty: This will be an easy outing with about 1.5 +/- miles of walking, mostly on trails, a bit across fields with minimal hills; some uneven terrain and two narrow canal crossings. 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 and the comfort of the parking area and 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 intimidated by our longer, steeper moonlight hikes. Sorry, no dogs are allowed unless they are service animals due to the potential conflicts with livestock and wildlife.
About Laursen Bear River Preserve
This newly acquired preserve, which includes a working cattle ranch, protects critical 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.
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 1pm on the Friday 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. Please complete it by noon the Friday before the event. One form per adult. Parent signature is required for children under 18. Please note, this does not register you for the hike. To register please scroll down. Link to waiver:
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 after registration. Check your spam folder if you do not receive the email within 15 minutes of registering.
Important Note: The 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 visiting only during scheduled guided activities you are registered for. Trespassers will be prosecuted.
