#summer exploring

Summer has arrived at Folsom Lake in Gold Country. The grass is turning gold and the lake is bright blue and nice and low due to the drought. Last weekend we took a hike around Brown’s Ravine which takes you along where Folsom Lake meets the South Fork of the American River. I hadn’t been to this trail for a few years and I loved being so close to the river and the lake. It was a less busy trail than many of the others in the state park and is definitely on my list to visit more often.

Here’s a post just about leaves in the Cosumnes River Preserve. I had heard about this area for a few years and finally decided to visit for myself. I found myself looking up into the tree canopy, taking in all the different types of trees and leaves that covered the trails. I’ve noticed while hiking and exploring this year that I need to look up more when I’m beneath the trees. It’s a whole other world just a few feet above me. These leaves were just some of my favorites that I enjoyed gazing at. 

I think I may have found my new favorite trail. It’s not too long, only five miles round trip, but it’s filled with so much variety. There’s forests, meadows, granite boulders, creeks, ponds, and more. The first time we hiked it we even got to experience an afternoon thunderstorm and a beautiful light rain. I’ve found this trail to be such a wonderful step out of the busy world and into the world of chipmunks, leaves, and rocks. It’s so simple and beautiful. A perfect step away from the stress and loudness of our world. I know that we’ll have lots of photos from this trail over the next few years, and I’m excited to explore it throughout the seasons. 

I’ve lived so close to the Great Valley & the Delta all my life and I so rarely actually venture to explore the nature in this area. We took a quick trip to the Blue Heron Trail located in the Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge so we could explore some of the local plants. And while the heat of summer may not have been the most beautiful time of year to visit, we still loved seeing and learning about the many different native plants and animals that live in this special area. There was so much to see when you change your eye level and look above and below.