Urban Trails: Sacramento. John Soares

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       Young mallards in William Land Park (Trail 3)

      Follow the rules. Each park has specific rules for what is and isn’t allowed. Make sure you read the rules, which are usually posted prominently at trailheads and often at various points in the park. Typical rules govern which types of users can use which trails.

      Keep your dog under control. Many of us love to bring the pooch when we hike. Make sure dogs are allowed and that you follow all rules, including leash rules. Even if dogs are allowed off-leash, you should always have a leash with you in case you need to keep your dog at your side or away from other dogs, animals, or people. Be considerate of others who may not want to interact with your dog. Finally, bring poop bags to collect your dog’s droppings and make sure you dispose of them properly.

      Avoid disturbing wildlife. Observe animals and birds from a distance. This not only increases your safety, it also allows critters to engage in normal behavior and not have to react to your presence.

      Take only photographs. Leave all natural and human features exactly as you found them.

      Mind the noise. Neither the critters nor your fellow hikers want to hear your music, your shouts, or your loud voice. Keep your noise production way down and speak at a normal conversational volume.

      Many of these guidelines were established by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. Visit https://lnt.org to learn more about best practices in the outdoors to minimize your effect on the environment and other trail users.

       POTENTIAL HAZARDS

      Exploring trails is overall quite safe. However, you do need to pay attention to animals, insects, and plants that can potentially be hazardous. There is also the danger of wildfire, pertinent here for Trails 34–35, both which are closed on Cal Fire red flag days. Learn more at www.fire.ca.gov.

       BEARS

      Of the trails described in this book, you are most likely to see a bear (or a mountain lion or a rattlesnake) in the Sierra Nevada foothills east of Sacramento. Most black bears will zoom away at warp speed when they spot you. You can, however, definitely upset a bear if you surprise it on the trail; a mother bear in particular can feel threatened if you pass between her and her cubs. If you encounter a bear, speak in a calm voice about your peaceful intentions as you slowly back away; do not turn and run. In the highly unlikely event that an attack occurs, fight back and focus on the muzzle area. Although the grizzly bear is featured on the state flag, the species has been eradicated from California.

       MOUNTAIN LIONS

      Most hikers go their entire lives without spotting even one of these large predators, and for good reason: mountain lions require a lot of territory, and they usually avoid humans. If a lion does approach you, pick up small children and leash your dogs. Hold your ground, extend your arms to look as large as possible, throw rocks, and shout. Do not run, crouch, or turn your back on the lion. If you’re attacked, fight back.

       RATTLESNAKES

      Identified primarily by a jointed tail that rattles, rattlesnakes can inflict a potentially fatal bite, though they’ll bite only if cornered or touched. Active in the warmer months in and around summer, they live under brush and in dry, rocky areas. To prevent bites, always look where you’re going and be particularly careful about where you place your hands and feet when hiking cross-country. If a rattlesnake bites you, stay calm and relaxed and get to a hospital as soon as possible.

       A NOTE ABOUT SAFETY

      Safety is an important concern in all outdoor activities. No guidebook can alert you to every hazard or anticipate the limitations of every reader. Therefore, the descriptions of roads, trails, routes, and natural features in this book are not representations that a particular place or excursion will be safe for your party. When you follow any of the routes described in this book, you assume responsibility for your own safety. Under normal conditions, such excursions require the usual attention to traffic, road and trail conditions, weather, terrain, the capabilities of your party, and other factors. Because many of the lands in this book are subject to development or change of ownership, conditions may have changed since this book was written that make your use of some of these routes unwise. Always check for current conditions, obey posted private property signs, and avoid confrontations with property owners or managers. Keeping informed on current conditions and exercising common sense are the keys to a safe, enjoyable outing.

      —Mountaineers Books