Ranger-Guided Programs in September

Date: September 7, 2009
Contact: Clinton Kane, [phone]
Contact: Reservation Staff, [phone]

The kayak tours and most ranger-guided programs at Whiskeytown Lake will soon end as the weather cools and summer comes to a close.  Labor Day weekend will be the final opportunity for visitors to participate in an Evening Program, the Walk in Time,  Water Safety Demonstration, Junior Ranger (there is a scavenger hunt at the visitor center to earn a junior ranger patch in the off season),  and Junior Firefighter .  There is still space available to make a kayak tour reservation through Labor Day, on programs September 7.  After Labor Day, kayak tours will be offered on Friday evenings on the dates of September 11 and 18 at 5:30 p.m.  There will also be an 11:00 a.m. and a 2:00 p.m. tour on Saturday, September 12. 

After the holiday weekend, the park will shift its focus to educational outreach programs at local schools, Whiskeytown Environmental School’s day program, senior groups, and assisted living homes.  “The end of the summer season at Whiskeytown provides an excellent opportunity for our rangers to reach out to the community and share the history and beauty of this park with our local schools and people that may not have the opportunity or ability to visit this magnificent place,” stated park Superintendent Jim Milestone.

In addition to the kayak programs, the park is providing visitors with the opportunity to join a ranger for a guided hike on a section of the newly opened Papoose Pass Trail.  The hikes will be offered on Saturday, September 12 at 7:30 and 9:30 a.m., as well as Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 27 ,  both starting at 7:30 a.m.  Visitors can expect to see beautiful vistas of South Fork Mountain, Little Bally, Whiskeytown Lake, and Mt. Lassen. 

Hikers will also experience towering ponderosa and sugar pines, knobcone pine, as well as incense cedar, Douglas fir, and spectacular canyon live oaks.  “We are looking forward to providing visitors with the opportunity to discover the wonderful diversity of Whiskeytown’s backcountry and as they hike along the flanks of Shasta Bally,” concluded Milestone.    The hike will be approximately 4 miles roundtrip and visitors should wear sturdy hiking shoes, bring plenty of water, and a snack.  The trail is considered moderate to strenuous in difficulty with some steep climbs and an elevation change of 1,000 feet.  Space is limited for these programs and reservations are required.  Carpooling is also highly encouraged.

If you would like to make a reservation for a kayak tour or a ranger-guided hike, or if you would like more information on these programs, please call [phone].  Reservationists are available during the afternoons, Monday through Thursday, from 1:30 – 4:30 p.m., and on Tuesday and Saturday mornings from 8:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  After Labor Day, reservationists will only be available on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  For more information on Ranger-guided activities, start times, and locations through Labor Day weekend, please visit the park website at www.nps.gov/whis, or call the Visitor Center at [phone]. 

-NPS-