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HIKE 16 Cosumnes River

Highlights Valley oak woodlands and wildlife

Distance 3.0 miles round-trip

Total Elevation Gain/Loss 10'/10'

Hiking Time 1–2 hours

Recommended Map USGS 7.5-min. Bruceville

Best Times October–April

Agency Cosumnes River Preserve

Difficulty

COME EXPERIENCE California’s great Central Valley as it used to be, a world of magnificent valley oaks flush with wetlands, wildlife, and wildflowers. The Cosumnes River flows through the preserve, the only remaining undammed river in the Central Valley. Migratory sandhill cranes flock here from November through February, for many the highlight of a spectacular birding destination year-round.

The Hike loops on easy level paths through the preserve, visiting ponds, meadows, riparian woodlands, and the banks of the Cosumnes River. The described hike meanders through much of the preserve, though it is also possible to make a shorter loop if desired. Open year-round, the preserve is best visited during the cooler months as summer temperatures can be scorchingly intense. Note that sections of trail can be flooded in winter following heavy rains.

To Reach the Trailhead Take I-5 to the Twin Cities Exit in Galt, turn east, and proceed 1.1 miles to Franklin Blvd. Turn right on Franklin Blvd. and continue 1.9 miles to reach the preserve entrance and main parking area.

Description The hike begins from the visitor center on the paved River Walk (0.0/20') and quickly proceeds into shady woods of young valley oak. Also present are prime examples of the many massive poison oak shrubs that grow throughout the preserve.

Recognize valley oak by its distinctive deeply lobed and rounded leaves. Once common throughout the central Valley, its population has been dramatically reduced by agricultural development. Today only a handful of locations still harbor portions of undisturbed valley oak habitat—this preserve is one of the best remaining examples.

You next cross a bridge over the Willow Slough floodplain, where a sign highlights the remarkable fact that here, more than 60 miles from San Francisco Bay, the elevation is a mere five feet above sea level and that tides cause the water here to rise and fall as much as five feet each day.

The path reaches a junction by wetlands (0.1/10'), where you turn right. The path winds by the edge of a pond and alongside wetlands thick with willow and oaks. It then travels atop a berm with wetlands on both sides, where you can see abundant “balls” hanging from many oak trees. These are striking examples of galls, which are created when insects lay their eggs on oak trees. This stimulates the tree to produce distinctive structures in response, which protect the young insects as they hatch. Hundreds of different types of gall-producing insects exist, each of which generates a different structure. A careful eye will find other varieties on leaves and branches throughout the preserve.

Urnlike barrels appear beside the trail as you continue. Part of the preserve’s restoration efforts, they hold water to irrigate the plants along the berm. Turn left at the next junction (0.5/10'), where a short dead-end spur continues straight to a partial view of the Middle Slough.

At the next junction (0.7/10'), turn right to briefly parallel the railroad tracks on a dirt road, then go right again at the next junction (0.8/10') to remain on Nature Trail as it heads down toward the river. A grassy path now leads to a T-junction, where you turn left and attain a levee alongside a stand of riparian valley oaks. The large birdhouses you see, for wood ducks, mimic the large tree cavities the birds prefer.

The route curves left to return by the tracks, briefly runs along the base of a railroad trestle, and then bears right to pass underneath it (1.3/10'). You now enter a delightful example of valley oak savannah. Distinct from the moisture-rich river corridor, this ecosystem is populated by large and solitary oaks, their branches a dramatic canopy of twisting limbs and unique architecture.

You next reach a four-way junction (1.6/10'). Your return route heads left, but turning right takes you on a worthwhile 0.4-mile side loop through the preserve’s nicest section of riparian woodlands and past several scenic views of the adjacent river. Returning toward the trailhead, your route runs along the edge of beautiful oak savannah, crosses an access road, and continues on a grassy mowed path. You curve left near a magnificent oak tree, travel along the meadow’s perimeter, and then bear right to pass under the tracks again and return to the access road, where you turn right (2.3/10').

A majestic valley oak stands sentinel at Cosumnes River Preserve.

The trail now runs parallel to the tracks past marshes and wetlands and then turns left as the tracks rise to attain an elevated trestle. You return to paved Wetlands Trail (2.8/10'), which quickly returns you to the visitor center (3.0/10').

Nearest Visitor Center Cosumnes River Preserve Visitor Center, 916-684-2816, a short walk from the main parking area, is open weekends 9 a.m.–5 p.m. September–June, and 8 a.m.–noon July and August; weekday hours vary depending on volunteer staffing availability.

Additional Information cosumnes.org