Beeks Bight, Folsom SRA

Waiver and Sign-up required.

Welcome to the new Friday Walks returning after an 18 month health recess. With the return are a few new Rules:
You MUST sign an Electronic Liability Waiver in advance for Sacramento Valley CNPS Friday Walks. This is a permanent change required by CNPS statewide. Note that this Waiver is for Sacramento Valley CNPS Friday Walks only and does not cover Sacramento Valley CNPS Field Trips nor any Events or Field Trips offered by other CNPS Chapters. The only difference with the Sacramento Valley CNPS Friday Walks Liability Waiver is that once signed it is valid through the end of the current calendar year.  Email John Schmidt to receive a Waiver form.
For now the Friday Walks will also have a limit on the number of participants. Initially the limit is 15 attendees plus 1 leader. Only 4 new to Friday Walks attendees can sign up for each walk during this initial restart of Friday Walks. If your name appears on a sign in sheet after January 1, 2013 you are not considered a new attendee.

Walks held unless there is heavy rain. Cancellation notices posted by 7 PM Thursday evening if heavy rain is in the forecast.

Friday, March 11, 9:30am – 12:30pm. Beeks Bight, Folsom SRA

Signs of a colorful spring are everywhere with most plants showing new growth and leaves.  Some plants are already blooming.  We’ll climb to the top of the ridge  with a scenic view of Folsom Lake and return along the ridge trail above Doton’s Point Nature Trail.  A number of plants are now in or near bloom.  Plants we should see in bloom include Hartweg’s Tauschia, Buck brush, Blue dicks, California cucumber, California saxifrage, Variable leaf Nemophila, Popcorn flower, Moss pigmyweed, Fringe pod, Butter and eggs, Fiddleneck (2 or more species) and Grand hound’s tongue.  A few species of ferns will also be seen.  This is a great place to walk and see a diversity of plants and birds. Meet at the Beeks Bight parking area in Folsom Lake SRA. For more information, email John Schmidt or phone 916-500-8456.

There will also be an optional 1 hour walk NE towards Los Lagos after the main walk.  This area is steeper climb with less defined trails.  However on Sunday a few Western Wallflower, numerous Woolly Paintbrush, a couple Sticky Monkeyflower and one Snowdrop were in bloom.  Email John if you are interested in this additional walk.  You’ll need extra water, snacks and patience as we navigate this section.

Bring water, hat, snack, and layered protection. A walking stick might be useful.
Park entrance fee is $12 or a current State Park Pass.

Use the linked map or directions below.
Directions from downtown Sacramento
– I-80 East to Douglas East (exit 103A)
– Continue east on Douglas to the Granite Bay entrance on Park Rd.
– Pass the entrance kiosk. Self-register if no one is there.
– Once in the park follow the signs to Beeks Bight.
– We’ll meet in the Parking lot at the end of the road.
-It’s about a 10 minute drive from the park entrance to Beeks Bight parking area.

There are restroom facilities at the meeting location.

Please try to be on time. We’ll start walking by 9:45am.
There is normally no cell reception at the meeting area, though there was on Sunday.

Click here for more info on state park passes.
Limited Use State Park Pass information is at the bottom of the web page. This annual pass is useful on Friday Walks except during the summer.
The Gold District Field Office of California State Parks is one location where you can purchase a Limited Use Golden Bear State Park Pass (62 and older). The $20 Limited Use State Park Pass is valid from January 1, 2022 thru Thursday, May 26, 2022 and then from September 6 thru December 31, 2022 for California State Parks.  Regular daily parking in these areas is $12/day in State Recreation Areas.  There should be 8 or more Friday Walks in Folsom and Auburn SRA including Friday’s walk at Beeks Bight before January 1, 2023.