In this story from today’s Bee, we are reminded of what we all are joyfully witnessing, spring seems to finally be here and it is time to get outside; however, there are still some flooded, and soggy spots, particularly along the lower and mid reach of the Parkway, though the upper reach is fine.
Here is an excerpt.
Itching to get outside
Recreation areas are slowly opening but will be soggy for a while -- and just wait for the rafting season
By Cynthia Hubert -- Bee Staff WriterPublished 2:15 am PDT Thursday, April 20, 2006
It's been a long, wet winter, and finally you're ready to come out of hibernation.
You've got the bikes tuned up. Broken in the hiking boots. Dragged out the kayaks and the rafts.
Not so fast.
Relentless rains these past many weeks have swamped some of Northern California's most popular recreational areas. Wilderness trails and campgrounds remain snowbound or soggy.
Rivers are high and wild - a good sign for whitewater kayak and rafting seasons, but maybe not so good for anglers who must cautiously wade into the April 29 trout opener.
Some lakes and reservoirs are at capacity and causing erosion problems, while others are cold and riddled with dangerous debris.
Numerous outdoor spots beckon, and the dry ones are more beautiful and bountiful than ever. But before you get out there, do some research.
Among places in the Sacramento area that took a hit this winter is the American River Parkway, 32 miles of heaven between Discovery Park and Folsom Lake. Discovery Park, which was swamped with water, is closed and the bike trail between the park and the Capital City Freeway is flooded. You'll also run into water near Cal Expo, right around Howe Avenue.
The trail, normally crowded this time of year, has been "pretty vacant" of cyclists, in-line skaters and runners in recent weeks, said Dave Lydick, chief ranger for the Sacramento County parks department. But that may change this weekend.
"On the few sunny days we've had, people have flocked to the bike trail," Lydick said. "Everyone has cabin fever. They just want to get out."
Although a few hardy kayakers and rafters have braved the American River, Lydick said, boating on the river remains hazardous. The American is running high and fast - about 20,000 cubic feet per second in some spots, or five times the norm.
"We discourage anyone from getting out there when flows are above 6,000," Lydick said.
Still, most of the parkway is dry and the scenery is stunning, said Warren Truitt, who rides or walks it six days a week, rain or shine.
"It's absolutely gorgeous with all the greenness, and wildflowers are abundant, coming out all over the place," said Truitt, vice president of Save the American River Foundation. "I see renewal, and I actually have been pretty pleased to see how many cyclists have been out on the parkway all winter long."
If you're lucky, you'll catch a glimpse of the many forms of wildlife that inhabit the area along the parkway, from coyotes and deer to egrets and great blue herons. And as the asphalt warms, watch out for rattlesnakes.
"Just take a wide berth around them," said Lydick. "Most of the time they completely ignore you."
