News Release

Whiskeytown Announces Ranger-Led Hikes for Late January & February

NPS

News Release Date: January 20, 2022

Contact: Scott Einberger, 5302423450

Whiskeytown, CA - Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is offering a series of ranger-led interpretive hikes over the course of the next six weeks. These hikes are open to the public and dogs on leash are allowed and encouraged. The facilitated hikes enable visitors to explore the park's diverse trail system with a park ranger and learn about Whiskeytown's natural and cultural history. For dogs and dog owners, B.A.R.K. Ranger Activity Books will be available and you and your faithful companion can become official Whiskeytown National Recreation Area B.A.R.K. Rangers! While entrance passes are required to recreate in the park, there is no additional fee for the ranger-led hikes. Visitors should bring water and wear close-toed shoes. Programs will be cancelled in the event of inclement weather. In order to serve as many different hiker skill levels and visitors as possible, the ranger-led hikes vary in length and difficulty. For instance, the Crystal Creek Falls walk is flat, paved and wheelchair accessible, while the geology hike to Whiskeytown Falls is steep, strenuous, and around three-hours in length.Saturday, January 22 @ 10 am - Oak Bottom Water Ditch

3 miles roundtrip, mostly flat. Meet at trailhead across from Oak Bottom Campground Store. This hike will focus on California Gold Rush history and nearby mines. Oak Bottom Water Ditch Trail is also a great path for birding.Saturday, January 29 @ 10 am - Clear Creek Canal Trail1.5 miles roundtrip, mostly flat and dirt trail. Meet at Mt. Shasta Mine Trailhead. The hike will spotlight the story of the Central Valley Project, involving the creation of Whiskeytown Lake and the Clair A. Hill Whiskeytown Dam.Saturday, February 5 @ 10 am - Clear Creek Canal Trail/Mt. Shasta Mine Loop1.5 miles roundtrip, some elevation gain. Meet at Mt. Shasta Mine Trailhead. The hike will discuss the human history of this area of the park.Friday, February 11 @ 1 pm - Geology Hike to Whiskeytown Falls3.5 miles roundtrip, trail is steep and strenuous with 700 feet of elevation gain. Meet at the James K. Carr Trailhead on Crystal Creek Road. The hike will focus on park geology and hydrology and the interconnections between the two.Saturday, February 12 @ 10 am - Crystal Creek Falls B.A.R.K. Ranger Walk1 mile roundtrip on a flat, paved trail. Meet at the Crystal Creek Falls Trailhead. Bring your leashed dog and get them certified as an official Whiskeytown B.A.R.K. Ranger as you stroll to the picturesque waterfall.Saturday, February 19 @ 10 am - Tower House Historic District Hike1.5 miles roundtrip on mostly flat, dirt surface. Meet at the Tower House Historic District parking lot. This hike will spotlight the lives of best friends and business partners Charles Camden and Levi Tower.Saturday, February 26 @ 10 am - Crystal Creek Water Ditch2 miles roundtrip on a flat, dirt trail. Meet at the Crystal Creek Water Ditch Trailhead. This walk will focus on local mining history and the Camdens.

For questions, please email Scott Einberger, Interpretation Supervisor, at [e-mail].

To learn more about Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, visit www.nps.gov/whis. 

About Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. Whiskeytown is one of 423 parks within the National Park System. Whiskeytown National Recreation Area was established in 1965 to protect Whiskeytown Lake and surrounding habitat and to provide outdoor recreation opportunities for the people of the United States. The park protects a diversity of plants and animals and preserves cultural history of the Wintu People and California Gold Rush. Whiskeytown is visited by almost one million people each year. For more information, visit the park website or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.