Urban Trails: Sacramento. John Soares

only photographs. Leave all natural and human features exactly as you found them.

      Mind the noise. Neither the critters nor your fellow hikers want to hear your music, your shouts, or your loud voice. Keep your noise production way down and speak at a normal conversational volume.

      Many of these guidelines were established by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. Visit https://lnt.org to learn more about best practices in the outdoors to minimize your effect on the environment and other trail users.

       POTENTIAL HAZARDS

      Exploring trails is overall quite safe. However, you do need to pay attention to animals, insects, and plants that can potentially be hazardous. There is also the danger of wildfire, pertinent here for Trails 34–35, both which are closed on Cal Fire red flag days. Learn more at www.fire.ca.gov.

       BEARS

      Of the trails described in this book, you are most likely to see a bear (or a mountain lion or a rattlesnake) in the Sierra Nevada foothills east of Sacramento. Most black bears will zoom away at warp speed when they spot you. You can, however, definitely upset a bear if you surprise it on the trail; a mother bear in particular can feel threatened if you pass between her and her cubs. If you encounter a bear, speak in a calm voice about your peaceful intentions as you slowly back away; do not turn and run. In the highly unlikely event that an attack occurs, fight back and focus on the muzzle area. Although the grizzly bear is featured on the state flag, the species has been eradicated from California.

       MOUNTAIN LIONS

      Most hikers go their entire lives without spotting even one of these large predators, and for good reason: mountain lions require a lot of territory, and they usually avoid humans. If a lion does approach you, pick up small children and leash your dogs. Hold your ground, extend your arms to look as large as possible, throw rocks, and shout. Do not run, crouch, or turn your back on the lion. If you’re attacked, fight back.

       RATTLESNAKES

      Identified primarily by a jointed tail that rattles, rattlesnakes can inflict a potentially fatal bite, though they’ll bite only if cornered or touched. Active in the warmer months in and around summer, they live under brush and in dry, rocky areas. To prevent bites, always look where you’re going and be particularly careful about where you place your hands and feet when hiking cross-country. If a rattlesnake bites you, stay calm and relaxed and get to a hospital as soon as possible.

       A NOTE ABOUT SAFETY

      Safety is an important concern in all outdoor activities. No guidebook can alert you to every hazard or anticipate the limitations of every reader. Therefore, the descriptions of roads, trails, routes, and natural features in this book are not representations that a particular place or excursion will be safe for your party. When you follow any of the routes described in this book, you assume responsibility for your own safety. Under normal conditions, such excursions require the usual attention to traffic, road and trail conditions, weather, terrain, the capabilities of your party, and other factors. Because many of the lands in this book are subject to development or change of ownership, conditions may have changed since this book was written that make your use of some of these routes unwise. Always check for current conditions, obey posted private property signs, and avoid confrontations with property owners or managers. Keeping informed on current conditions and exercising common sense are the keys to a safe, enjoyable outing.

      —Mountaineers Books

       Friends enjoy the Lake Clementine Trail (Trail 17).

       TICKS

      These critters typically live in brushy and grassy areas, where they hope to catch a ride with an animal (such as you) so they can bore in and drink some fresh blood. The problem: some carry Lyme disease, which can make humans very ill. You can drastically lower the odds of a tick attaching to you by wearing a long-sleeve shirt along with long pants that you’ve tucked inside your socks. If a tick does attach, you can try to dislodge it with a tick removal kit, or you can head for the nearest doctor. If you remove a tick, freeze it in a plastic bag in case your doctor wants to test it for Lyme disease later. If you feel or see any unusual symptoms after a tick bite, such as a rash or joint stiffness or swelling, visit a doctor.

       POISON OAK

      Poison oak assumes a variety of confusing disguises ranging from small shrub to snaky vine. 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