| Coming Soon... |
| Friday, Apr 19 |
| All Day | Tickets on Sale Now for "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown!" |
| Saturday, Apr 20 |
| All Day | Tickets on Sale Now for "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown!" |
| All Day | The 7th Annual Crafty Chicks Spring Market |
| All Day | Big Plans at Big Trees State Park for Earth Day! |
| All Day | The Big Used XC Ski Sale Starts April 20th at Bear Valley Adventure Company! |
| All Day | Huge Savings at Millworkz Inventory Reduction Sale Every Saturday! |
| 09:00 AM | Spring Cleaning Time at Shred Fest 2024 on April 20th |
| 01:00 PM | Celebration of Life for Robyn Victoria Williams |
| 05:00 PM | Fundraiser Dinner at VFW San Andreas |
| Sunday, Apr 21 |
| All Day | Tickets on Sale Now for "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown!" |
| All Day | Big Plans at Big Trees State Park for Earth Day! |
| All Day | The Big Used XC Ski Sale Starts April 20th at Bear Valley Adventure Company! |
| All Day | Our Sunday Edition with Local Features, Local Specials & More Every Sunday All Day Long! |
| 09:00 AM | Get Ready to Run in the 2024 Mr. Frog's Wild Run on April 21st. |
| 11:30 AM | The 11th Annual Mountain Ranch Chili Cook Off! |
| Monday, Apr 22 |
| All Day | The Big Used XC Ski Sale Starts April 20th at Bear Valley Adventure Company! |
| Tuesday, Apr 23 |
| All Day | The Big Used XC Ski Sale Starts April 20th at Bear Valley Adventure Company! |
| Wednesday, Apr 24 |
| All Day | The Big Used XC Ski Sale Starts April 20th at Bear Valley Adventure Company! |
| Thursday, Apr 25 |
| All Day | The Big Used XC Ski Sale Starts April 20th at Bear Valley Adventure Company! |
| Friday, Apr 26 |
| All Day | The Big Used XC Ski Sale Starts April 20th at Bear Valley Adventure Company! |
| All Day | HCO Sledfest 2024 is April 26-28 at Bear Valley |
| Saturday, Apr 27 |
| All Day | Come Celebrate Calaveras’ Spring Wine Weekend |
| All Day | The Big Used XC Ski Sale Starts April 20th at Bear Valley Adventure Company! |
| All Day | HCO Sledfest 2024 is April 26-28 at Bear Valley |
| All Day | Huge Savings at Millworkz Inventory Reduction Sale Every Saturday! |
| Sunday, Apr 28 |
| All Day | Come Celebrate Calaveras’ Spring Wine Weekend |
| All Day | The Big Used XC Ski Sale Starts April 20th at Bear Valley Adventure Company! |
| All Day | HCO Sledfest 2024 is April 26-28 at Bear Valley |
| All Day | Our Sunday Edition with Local Features, Local Specials & More Every Sunday All Day Long! |
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Posted by: Kim_Hamilton on 03/16/2009 11:14 AM
Updated by: Kim_Hamilton on 03/17/2009 09:20 AM
Expires: 01/01/2014 12:00 AM
:
A River Runs Through It - Natural Bridges~By The PineTree Pedaler, Brett Loring
by Columnist, ThePineTree Pedaler, Brett Loring
It’s a great time to catch the full-flowing beauty of the Stanislaus River as it ducks under two earthen and limestone formations that are the namesake of Natural Bridges. Off of Parrotts Ferry Road, southbound and just before descending the grade to the bridge over New Melones reservoir toward Columbia, the parking area and trailhead are well-marked on the right. A suitable hike for the whole family, on the way back up young ‘uns may plead, “Carry me!” This is an ideal photo expedition with opportunities to capture the wonders of not only the natural arches some call “caves,” but also the....
   
allure of the limestone river bed, the labyrinth of tree roots that flank the water, and scurrying and fluttering wildlife. During the Gold Rush, L.A. “Old Bach” Barnes established a mining claim along the river in this unique geological area. You can find a historic marker near one of the Bridges.
Less than a mile, the trek down the dirt and rock path to the Stanislaus River requires sturdy shoes or hiking boots. Take along drinking water, snacks, mosquito repellent and sunscreen. Include a picnic lunch if you’re ambitious, to enjoy along the river or at one of the benches or tables along the way. At some places along the trail, steps have been built in to assist with descent and ascent. The trail winds here and there and passes through a few rock obstacles. Stay on the trail. After enjoying a visit to the bottom of the trail at the Bridges, my kids and I spent hours off the beaten path thinking we could traverse the mountain to find a “creative” way back to the car. Wrong. Several dead-ends on deer trails led us into hedgerows of poison oak that we could not pass without risking potential itches and scratches. My children were on the verge of trying to signal aircraft to rescue us. I tried to constantly reassure them that I could see exactly where the car was – we just “couldn’t get there from here.” Additionally, some of the flora is in a fragile environment and is to be respected and protected as a unique habitat. Pets are not allowed on the trail.
In the spring, ranger-led tours to Upper Natural Bridge and to Coyote Creek are offered. Call the New Melones Lake Visitor Center at 536-9543 for details. The Visitors Center is located on Highway 49 between Sonora and Angels Camp, on the southeast side of the highway near the end of the bridge. For a rough contour map of the Natural Bridges trail, go to the Bureau of Reclamation’s webpage at www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/field_offices/new_melones/maps/index.html
If you have questions or comments for Brett, feel free to email him at Brett@thepinetree.net:)
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