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NOTES FROM THE TRAIL – In honor of the Western States 100-Mile Run happening this weekend, we’re going to examine a short portion of the trail from the staging area at Overlook Park to near the 3-mile marker (shown in this week’s snapshot getting some heavy use during our hike). It was Father’s Day weekend and I had warned my kids the night before that we were going to be up and at ‘em early. That plan didn’t go over so well with my two oldest, so my youngest and I hit the trail at 7:30 a.m., leaving the other two in bed. Lathered in sunscreen and insect repellant, we made the standard hike from the Overlook to beyond the “Hambone” memorial bench (which I’ve covered many times before in this space). The hike was quick (we’ve been getting a lot of practice, I suppose) and we stopped at the bench for our usual snack of trail mix and a granola bar, washing it all down with a swig of nice cold water. Hikers, even those in the early morning, need to bring a lot of water. I pack three liters per person plus another liter in a canteen that I carry slung over my shoulder. Hikers should also take into consideration the heat, time of day and length of the hike while packing supplies. Runners and equestrians passed by while we watched the hawks from the bench. Starting off again, we passed the 1-mile marker and continued on our path. There is a steep drop off along parts of the trail in this area, so make sure your steps are well planted and watch out for small obstacles (roots, rocks and loose dirt). The trail comes to a fork at a well-graded access road. If you turn right and head downhill, it will eventually take you to the Tamaroo Bar Trail (which I covered in last week’s column). While arguing with my daughter that I did indeed know the correct direction to go, we turned left, heading uphill. Though not well marked at the junction, there is another marker farther along. The trail follows the canyon, making a “u” shape along a well-shaded patch. As you begin to come out, there is another fork in the road. At this junction, turn right and follow the canyon (don’t go uphill). As the Western States Trail continues, if you look down in the canyon to your right, you can catch a glimpse of the wide flat area I wrote about last week (again, that’s the Tamaroo Bar Trail). We moved out of the way for runners and a few hikers as we proceeded onward. The trail here is wide with some great views of the canyon and American River. In the distance, you can see the Foresthill Bridge. Eventually, the foliage turns to ferns and brush while the trail joins with the American Discovery Trail and the two-mile marker. The choices are to follow that trail uphill or down, or another smaller trail dug into the ground with a lone brown marker that reads “trail.” For those of us unfamiliar with the trail system, and trying to learn as we go, the lack of markers is frustrating. Parker chose the smaller trail, which luckily turned out to be the Western States. This is where the trail becomes steep and narrow, sometimes making it difficult to move to the side so horses can pass. It is mostly downhill at this stage, with a series of switchbacks that empty out onto a relatively flat stretch. We followed this, with the goal of reaching the 3-mile marker. As the sun beat down and the minutes ticked by, we continued to look for those elusive markers, but found none. Defeated, we turned back, walking for quite some time before we noticed the 2.5-mile marker hidden among foliage. The trip back to Overlook Park is mostly uphill but Parker was determined to continue exploring side trails on our return trip, proclaiming that we were like Lewis and Clarke. I do not advise taking small side trails as they are overgrown, narrow and riddled with obstacles such as downed trees and limbs. With our side excursions, we easily hiked six miles (or more) on the Western States Trail. Total hiking time was around three and a half hours, with breaks ratcheting the time commitment up to an even four, but it sure was worth it. Next week, we’ll take a look at a short stretch of trail usually used by cyclists off Maidu Drive.
AROUND TOWN – Despite a last-ditch effort to unseat him, it looks like Bootleggers Restaurant owner Ty Rowe has been re-elected as president of the Old Town Auburn Business Association. Some business folks unhappy with the Business Improvement District fee increase showed up at the group’s general meeting last Thursday morning with photocopied ballots in hand. The problem with that bit of theatrics? In order to be counted, the ballots were due the day before, and they needed to be on official printed ballots. The voters could turn in their ballots at the meeting if they brought them in personally, according to Rowe. Crying foul, Richard Burge, who has been a vocal critic of the current board of directors, said he would register a complaint. Despite my urge to quote a famous Monty Python skit regarding a dead parrot, I shall refrain. ... Auburn’s new children’s store, called Me Gusta Baby, is owned by two Placer High grads, Raj Hundal and Glenn Simpson. The couple returned to their hometown after a stint living in Southern California. Their shop features furniture and toys made with sustainable wood and non-toxic finishes as well as clothing ranging in size from preemie to 8 years old. ... The Auburn Chamber of Commerce and the Loomis Chamber of Commerce have been holding their mixers on the same day for years. Last week, in some weird warping of the space-time continuum, the Loomis group held their mixer in Auburn at Central Valley Broadband and Valley IT Support while Auburn held their mixer in Loomis at the Flower Farm Inn.
Don Chaddock is the executive editor of the Sentinel and he may be reached via e-mail at
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