Blind-sided by the start of Daylight Saving Time, and facing probable rain in the afternoon, Don and I got a late start on our Sunday hike. It was nearly noon by the time we set off from our starting point—a gated, old abandoned road, ~1 mile from Perry’s Riffle Trailhead on Bend Ferry Road in the Sacramento River Bend Recreation Area.
We had no real goal or expectations; we simply followed our nose and went where we pleased. Because cross-country exploration is encouraged here, there are many unnamed and unmarked trails throughout this vast area that are fun to follow. Which is exactly what we did. Under leaden sky and buffeted by chill winds, we ventured several miles out until we found ourselves on a bluff above Paynes Creek. That’s when the rain finally came, and where we turned around.
We highly recommend this recreation area. It is absolutely gorgeous, especially right now. Blue oaks are just beginning to leaf out, emerald-green grasses cover the ground, the numerous little rocky creeks are flowing, and the wildflowers are beginning to bloom. Here is a slideshow of some of the cool things that we saw in the few hours we were there. All photos by Don Burk. Enjoy! ~Laurie & Don Burk
