Fall 2024 Events at
Horsetown-Clear Creek Preserve
Unless noted with the description, all events start at the HCCP parking area on
Clear Creek Road, just west of the Clear Creek Korean Veteran’s Bridge.
Children are welcome at all of our events and all events are free.
September 21 (Sat.) 9 a.m. – “ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY CLEANUP”
Volunteers will clean up a stretch of Clear Creek Road around the Preserve for 2 – 3 hours. We provide vests for visibility, tools to pick up small items and garbage bags. Please bring gloves. We meet at the HCCP parking area on Clear Creek Road with lunch/snacks on us afterwards at Carl’s Jr in Westwood Village.
September 28 (Sat.) 9 a.m. – “NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY CLEAN UP”
The Bureau of Land Management, Horsetown-Clear Creek Preserve, and Western Shasta Resource Conservation District are sponsoring National Public Lands Day along the LowerClear Creek Greenway. Volunteers are asked to help clean up and repair damaged areas along the Greenway – including picking up trash, removing graffiti, repairing hiking trails, and removing invasive weeds. Please wear closed toe shoes, long pants, and long-sleeve shirts.
Gloves and eye protection will be provided. Volunteers should meet at the HCCP parking area by 9 a.m. A BBQ will follow the workday at 1 p.m. For more information and to sign up, call BLM at 530 224-2100.
October 6 (Sun.) 6 P.M. – 7:15 P.M. “GONG MEDITATION WITH JOAN RICHARDS”
The sounds of the gongs create a deep sense of relaxation in the mind and body which facilitate your own inner healing and allow a profound journey through your inner landscape. Joan has over 20 years’ experience with the gongs and their ever-evolving songs, as well as teaching meditation and Yoga. We suggest you bring a mat, blanket, pillow, or anything you may need to assure your comfort.
October 12 (Sat.) 10 a.m. – “GOLD RUSH HISTORY WALK”
The community of Horsetown was established near the second major gold discovery in California at Reading’s Bar on Clear Creek during the gold rush of 1849. Enjoy a pleasant fall walk with a view of that site with Cathy Scott, Horsetown-Clear Creek Preserve Board member. Learn about our local gold rush history and Horsetown. Bring some friends and walking shoes.
October 19 (Sat.) 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. “RETURN OF THE SALMON FESTIVAL”
Join us at the Coleman National Fish Hatchery for a fun filled and educational day. For more information and directions visit www.fws.gov/fish-hatchery/coleman or their Facebook page
https://fb.me/e/2LxQyx1Bh This is a family friendly event where you can view the fall run Chinook salmon and visit many vendors such as Horsetown-Clear Creek Preserve. This is at the Coleman Fish Hatchery, 24411 Coleman Fish Hatchery Rd., Anderson
October 20 (Sun.) 12 noon – “SHASTA COLLEGE MASTER GARDENER PROGRAM”
Paulette Blackstone will talk about the Master Gardener Program while we enjoy a stroll through the Preserve. The program was designed to unite the Master Gardeners of Shasta College and spread University of California research-based horticultural information to the general public. Bring lunch or a snack if you’d like.
October 26 (Sat.) 10 a.m. – “SEARCH FOR THE SPAWNING SALMON”
Join Department of Fish & Wildlife biologist Matt Johnson for a walk along Clear Creek to observe spawning salmon – up close! Get up-to-date information about restoration projects on Clear Creek designed to help the salmon and the status of salmon runs in Clear Creek. Don’t miss this chance for a personal guided tour. This moderate walk should have it all – exercise,
natural beauty, salmon, and intriguing information. Bring polarized sun glasses for better visibility into the water and wear walking shoes.
Meet at Gold Dredge Trailhead on Clear Creek Road about 2 miles west of highway 273, just west of Sunrise Excavating.
November 3 (Sun.) 1 p.m. – “ACORNS: A NATIVE AMERICAN STAPLE”
Native Wintu herbalist Ted Dawson will discuss the acorn, from harvest to food items. You’ll be invited to join in grinding acorns with mortar and pestle and be rewarded with the best acorn dishes in Shasta County. You’re probably aware that acorns were a staple food of the Native Americans of California, but there’s more — Bring the family. Today’s presentation includes making a natural poison oak remedy. Bring a jar – take some home.Remember Daylight Savings time change –
November 9 (Sat.) 10 a.m. – “AUTUMN WALK”
Enjoy a pleasant fall morning walking on the Cloverdale property with Ryan Morris, HCCP Board member. Come explore with us and enjoy spectacular views of the Clear Creek canyon. The event will offer a rich mix of fresh air, natural beauty and a healthy dose of walking. Bring water– this should be a fascinating walk of approximately 3 hours!
Meet at the BLM Cloverdale Trailhead, between Placer & Clear Creek Rd.
November 10 (Sun.) 10 a.m. – “GEOGRAPHY AND MORE”
Join Dan Scollon, Shasta College instructor of Geography, GIS and Mapping for a walk and talk that puts Horsetown in the wider context of space and time. He will discuss physical geography, including geology, hydrology and vegetation, in the terms of how HCCP fits into the larger Klamath Mountains region. The human geography of the area will touch on significant periods, from the pre-European history to the present.
HORSETOWN-CLEAR CREEK PRESERVE SPRING 2024 EVENTS
Children are welcome at all of our events and all events are free of charge. All events (unless otherwise noted) will meet at the HCCP parking area on Clear Creek Road, just west of the Clear Creek Bridge.
March 30 (Sat.) 9:00 am. – ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY CLEAN UP
Volunteers will clean up a stretch of Clear Creek Road around the Preserve for 2 – 3 hours. We provide vests for visibility, tools to pick up small items and garbage bags. Please bring gloves. Lunch/snacks/coffee on us afterwards at Carl’s Jr. on Westside Road.
April 6 (Sat.) 10 am-“CLOVERDALE WATERFALLS”
With a generous gift from Mother Nature in the way of rain, we are thrilled to put on a special hike this spring. Ryan Morris, new HCCP Board member, will lead us north from the HCCP Parking area on BLM trails to enjoy not one, but two waterfalls and wonderful views of the Clear Creek canyon. Bring some friends, walking shoes, and water– a moderate walk of 2 to 3 hours!
April 7 (Sun.) 1:30 pm. – “CLEAR CREEK WILDFLOWERS AND WILD PLANTS”
Come walk with David Ledger from the Native Plant Society and Shasta Environment Alliance. Enjoy the beauty of blooming wildflowers, the stimulation of a walk in the country, and learn about plants and nature. This will be a great Sunday afternoon hike. David is very knowledgeable about plants in our area.
April 14 (Sun.) 9:30 am. “A SEARCH FOR SPECIAL BEAUTIES”
Join Barbara Peck on a morning hike on the Cloverdale trails. She will lead the search for a Rufous-Crowned Sparrow, Pearly Marble Butterflies, and Jewel Flowers. Barbara is a local expert with a Masters in Wildlife Biology and Ecology. She will point out and identify other birds, butterflies, and flowers as well. Bring binoculars if you have them. We have some to share. Meet at the Horsetown-Clear Creek Preserve trailhead.
April 20 (Sat.) 11:00 am. – 4:00 pm. — EARTH DAY
Horsetown-Clear Creek Preserve will have a booth for Earth Day celebrations at Caldwell Park. Please join us and other groups at this event which features music, booths, kid’s activities and more. Shasta Environmental Alliance is hosting this event – for more information go to www.seashasta.org
April 21 (Sun.) 9:00 am. – “WILD TROUT AND FLY FISHING IN CLEAR CREEK”
Join local angler Mark Clausen as he discusses fly fishing and watch from the beach as he demonstrates the technique of casting a fly on beautiful Clear Creek. He will share facts about wild trout on Clear Creek and some of the equipment used on the sport. Mark has been tying his own flies and fishing this stretch of creek for many years. NOT limited to fisherman.
April 27 (Sat.) 11:00 am. – 1:00 pm. “NATIVE POLLINATOR PROJECTS”
Join Ryan Morris and Jeremy Kelley from the Western Shasta Resource Conservation District (WSRCD) for an afternoon of education on the history and inner workings of a Resource Conservation District. They will discuss current, past and future restoration projects along the Clear Creek greenway and surrounding areas of Shasta County. Also, in depth discussions about native plants and their importance in our community and much more.
In addition, a free native pollinator plant giveaway will be held for attendees after, in partnership with the Monarch Fellowship.
April 28 (Sun.) 1 pm. — “NATIVE PLANT IDENTIFICATION AND USES”
Join native Wintu Ted Dawson on a spring walk while he locates, identifies, and explains medicinal and general uses of native plants. Ted consulted and provided technical support at Turtle Bay for Native American exhibits. Today’s presentation includes making a natural poison oak remedy. Bring a jar – take some home.
May 4 (Sat.) 9 am. – “INSIDE” THE ROTARY SCREW TRAP 101 Join Horsetown–Clear Creek Preserve alongside Fish Biologists from the US. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to learn more about their juvenile salmon conservation and monitoring projects in our area. This is a family friendly event where you can view USFWS rotary screw trap operations on Clear Creek, a project that helps track and monitor populations of our local Chinook Salmon. We’ll start at the China Garden Trailhead. USFWS Biologists will then lead us down to Clear Creek where we will be able to learn about and observe USFWS rotary screw trap and juvenile fish handling operations, conservation and monitoring of Chinook Salmon and steelhead trout, as well as restoration and management efforts happening within the watershed. This hike meets at the China Garden Trailhead, (the first BLM trailhead on Clear Creek Road from highway 273).
May 5 (Sun.) 10:00 am. – “GOLD RUSH HISTORY WALK”
The community of Horsetown was established near the second major gold discovery in California at Reading’s Bar on Clear Creek during the gold rush of 1849. Enjoy a pleasant spring walk with a view of that site with Preserve Board Member Cathy Scott. Learn about our local gold rush history and Horsetown. Bring some friends and walking shoes.
May 11 (Sat.) 10am-2pm – TRAIL MIXER AT SWASEY RECREATION AREA (Off Delano Drive)
Our friends at Redding Trail Alliance are hosting this event, which is completely free for both booth hosts and participants. (for more about this organization, see www.reddingtrailalliance.org) Stop by our booth and say hello! This event will be at the standard event area off Delano Drive.
May 18 (Sat.) 10:00 AM. – “HISTORIC HORSETOWN PHOTO”
In 1849, a group of hopeful prospectors arrived at the site of Reading’s Bar on Clear Creek, and by 1850 the census identified 1,000 inhabitants of what became One Horse Town (Horsetown). For many years HCCP has hoped to locate an historical photograph of the town – we even advertised a reward if someone could find one! And now we have one, thanks to Joe Molter with the assistance of Trudy Vaughan and Shasta Historical Society. Trudy will expand on Cathy Scott’s earlier talk this Spring on the history of the area and also discuss some historic archaeological work conducted here at HCCP; and Joe will tell the story of the discovery of this photo, have copies of the photo, and lead a short gentle walk to its original site to orient you to today’s landscape. Meet at the HCCP Amphitheatre at 10am.
See our website at HorsetownClearCreekPreserve.org for a trail map and coming events.
Contact Horsetownhccp@gmail.com for more information and Like us on Facebook