Nimbus Flat, Folsom SRA

            Waiver and Sign-Up Required

It’s been over 2 years since Friday Walks resumed, but we still need to follow new rules to gather safely.

1. You must sign an Electronic Liability Waiver in advance of joining Sacramento Valley Chapter Friday Walks. Signing an Electronic Liability Waiver is a permanent change required statewide by the California Native Plant Society. Please note that signing the waiver for SacValley Chapter Friday Walks applies only to our chapter’s Friday Walks and does not cover SacValley Chapter Field Trips or any events or field trips offered by other CNPS chapters. Once you have signed the SacValley Chapter Friday Walks waiver, it is valid through the end of the current calendar year, 2023 in this case.  Email John Schmidt to receive a Waiver form if you don’t yet have one for 2023 Friday Walks.
2. The walk limit is 20 participants and one leader.

Walks are held unless heavy rain, extreme heat or very poor air quality are forecast.  Cancellation notices posted by 7PM Thursday.

NOTE: Starting time returns to 9:15am for local walks until the summer of 2024.

Friday, September 22, 9:15am-11:45am, Nimbus Flat, Folsom SRA

Note: If this is your first Friday Walk in 2023 read the Waiver and Sign-up section at the top of the Friday Walks page.

Join us for a late summer walk along the south shoreline of Lake Natoma from near Nimbus Dam to the bluff about 1/4 mile east of the the old pump station on Lake Natoma. Most of the walk is very flat on dirt or the bike trail with a mix of sun and shade except for the short rocky climb up to the bluff after the old pump station.  This walk was scouted Monday afternoon and a few native plants are in bloom.  Among the native plants in bloom are Croton setiger, Epilobium canum, Erigeron foliosus, Madia elegans,and Solidago velutina.  Sorry it took an extra day to post the report.  We will be taking a slightly different path than normal.  We’ll start over towards the metal fishing and viewing platform in the NE corner near the eastern end of the beach area.  We’ll follow this trail about 200 yards and then head over to the normal path as it curves by the large open field where downed tree branches are sometimes piled up to composting.  Check the satellite view of the meeting area to see the platform and path.  For more information email John Schmidt or cell phone 916-500-8456.

Bring water, sunscreen, snack, hat, a perhaps an extra layer if the morning is cool.  The forecast is for a dry Friday.

Parking at Nimbus Flat is $10 or use a State Park Pass. If you haven’t been to Nimbus Flat before you might want to check the linked map below.

Meet at the smaller second Nimbus Flat parking lot. There is a short road separating the main parking lot from the back parking lot. There are rest facilities adjacent to both parking lots.

Use the directions below or meet near the red teardrop on the linked map.

Driving directions from Sacramento.
– Travel east on Highway 50.
– Take exit 21 – Hazel Avenue.
– Pass the first traffic light at Hwy 50 West exit and Tributary Point Dr.
– Take the first right after the traffic light at the sign for Nimbus Flat and the Park and Ride lot.
– Pass the entrance kiosk. Self-register if no one is there.
– Follow the park road along the edge of the first parking lot.
– At the second Stop sign about two-thirds of the way around turn right and follow this road into the second parking area.
– Meet at the far end past the rest facilities.

There is also a free Park and Ride at Hazel Avenue about 50 yards from the entrance kiosk at Nimbus Flat. It’s about a 12 minute walk from the Park and Ride to the meeting location.

Limited Use State Park Pass information. This pass will be useful on Fall Friday Walks after Labor Day Weekend.
The Gold District Field Office of California State Parks is one location where you can purchase a Golden Bear Limited Use State Park Pass (62 and older). The $20 Limited Use State Park Pass is valid through December 31, 2023 for California State Parks. Some of the fall Friday Walks will be at Folsom SRA access areas Nimbus Flat, Black Miners Bar, Salmon Falls, Brown’s Ravine, Beals Point, Granite Bay and Horseshoe Bar. Friday Walks might visit Quarry Trail or North Fork Dam Trail in Auburn SRA, though the recent Bridge Fire might exclude these areas. Regular daily parking in these areas is $10-12/day. Click here for more information on State Park passes. The Limited Use Passes are at the bottom of the web page.