Urban Trails: Sacramento. John Soares

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СКАЧАТЬ Part of the subterfuge is leaf shape, which varies from plant to plant. The telltale sign of poison oak (or for what could be poison oak) is a cluster of three leaves. Many people develop an itchy, red rash after contact with poison oak. If you think you touched poison oak, or touched someone or something that touched poison oak (a dog, for example), wash immediately with soap and cool water. The urushiol oil from the plant can linger on clothes, gear, and pets’ fur until it is washed off. Many stores sell products that help suppress the symptoms.

       WATER AND GEAR

      For most routes in this book, you won’t need to bring a lot of supplies. But no matter which route you choose, it’s always a good idea to bring a small day pack with plenty of water, some healthy food, an extra layer of clothing, sun protection, and protection against rain if precipitation is in the forecast.

      For longer hikes in wilder areas, use the Ten Essentials, developed by The Mountaineers, to make intelligent choices about what to pack.

       THE TEN ESSENTIALS

      1.Navigation. Carry a good map of the area encompassing your route and know how to read it. Typically, maps can be downloaded from the park website, or they may be available at the trailhead. Your cell phone can also be useful for navigation, but don’t rely solely upon it.

      2.Headlamp. If you unexpectedly find yourself still on the trail after dark, you’ll be very glad to be able to see where you are going because you have a headlamp. Bring spare batteries. Most cell phones can also provide illumination (see if you need to download an app before you go), but using that function can quickly drain the battery.

      3.Sun protection. Bring and use good sunscreen (rated at least SPF 30), along with a broad-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sun-protective clothing. Bring all of these even on cloudy days; you never know when the sun will pop out.

      4.First aid. Take a basic first-aid kit with bandages, blister prevention supplies, antiseptic, pain relievers, and tweezers. It’s a good idea to bring antihistamine tablets in case of an allergic reaction. Also bring essential prescription medications.

      5.Knife. A small pocketknife can be useful for a variety of purposes.

      6.Fire. It’s highly unlikely you’ll need to spend an unplanned night on the trails described in this book; however, if you have to and you truly need the warmth of a fire, you’ll be glad you are prepared. Bring a butane lighter or waterproof matches in a sealable bag; also bring something that easily burns, such as cotton balls, dryer lint, or a commercial firestarter.

      7.Shelter. Even if you are not planning to be out overnight, bring something as basic as a large garbage bag or a rain poncho. Inexpensive and lightweight tarps and bivy sacks are also good options.

      8.Extra food. Bring a substantial supply of nuts, trail mix, dried fruit, energy bars, and other healthy snacks.

      9.Extra water. Bring more than enough water to keep you fully hydrated for the entire length of your hike, plus some extra. Include water purification tablets or a water filter in case you stay out longer than planned.

      10.Extra clothes. Weather can change quickly. Be prepared for substantial drops in temperature by bringing extra layers and raingear. Make sure you have enough clothing to survive overnight, if necessary.

       SAFETY CONCERNS

      Trails and parks are generally quite safe. However, you should practice basic precautions such as always being aware of your surroundings and letting someone know where and when you are walking, hiking, or running, especially if you go alone.

      Trailhead theft. Lower the probability that this rare event will happen to you by locking all car doors, tightly closing all car windows, and taking all valuables with you.

      Potential threats from humans. Vagrancy and drug use occur in some urban parks. Stick to the trails and you are unlikely to encounter a homeless encampment. If you do come upon one, watch for human waste, needles, and other hazardous materials.

      Despite these warnings, most areas are quite safe. Because these trails are often in urban areas, you should of course always exercise common sense and trust your judgment about a particular park or trail based on the current conditions.

       Leafy shade in William Land Park (Trail 3)

      DOWNTOWN SACRAMENTO

      Sacramento, the capital of the most populous and economically powerful state in the United States, is also one of the fastest growing cities in California. Founded in 1848 near the confluence of the Sacramento and American Rivers to house and provide provisions and services for the thousands of miners searching for gold in the nearby Sierra Nevada foothills, the city grew quickly, becoming the state capital in 1854.

      Surviving the end of the gold rush and serious floods, Sacramento prospered in the late nineteenth century as the economic hub of the Central Valley. In the twentieth century, Sacramento also became the crossroads for Interstates 5 and 80, the two main freeways linking California to the rest of the West Coast and the United States.

      Despite the burgeoning population and the needs of expanding business, the city preserved some land for recreation. This section focuses on three hikes in and near the downtown area. The first visits more tranquil areas along the north bank of the American River on the Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail. The second takes you into the heart of downtown by visiting Capitol Park and Old Sacramento, where you tour the capitol building and wander past historically significant nineteenth-century buildings near the Sacramento River. The third explores urban William Land Park, home of the Sacramento Zoo.

1

Discovery Park

DISTANCE:	4.4 miles roundtrip
ELEVATION GAIN:	Negligible
HIGH POINT:	30 feet
DIFFICULTY:	Easy
FITNESS:	Walkers, runners
FAMILY-FRIENDLY:	Yes
DOG-FRIENDLY:	On-leash
BIKE-FRIENDLY:	Yes
AMENITIES:	Bathrooms, picnic tables, water
CONTACT/MAP:	Sacramento County Regional Parks; download map from website
GPS:	N 38˚36.021', W 121˚30.460'
MORE KEY INFO:	Open sunrise to sunset daily; fee; wheelchair accessible; numerous cyclists

       GETTING THERE

      Driving: On I-5 just north of downtown Sacramento, take exit 521, signed for Garden Highway. Whether you are coming from the north or south on I-5, turn left on Garden Highway. Drive east on Garden Highway about 0.4 mile and watch closely for Natomas Park Drive and Discovery Park on the right, where you turn. Pay your fee at the entrance station then continue on the main СКАЧАТЬ