Type: Hiking
Trail head: Ave 9
Trail: Van Buren and roads
Destination: None
Distance: 5.08 miles
End Time: 11:36
Travel Time: 2:41 (1.89 mph)
Moving Time: 2:14 (2.27 mph)
Elevation Rise: 324 '
Descent: 288‘
Maximum Elevation: 297'
Minimum Elevation: 243'
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| Steven and Korra on Van Bueren Trail |
Today’s hike is going to be local and short. The reason is that tonight I have a book group meeting and I want to make sure I am somewhat fresh and rested, rather than going in smelly and tired. I am pretty much prepared and just need to get an agenda for it.
There are some trails on the north side of the San Joaquin River on the west side of highway 41. The San Joaquin River Conservancy and the The San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust' called the area Sycamore Island. It is a perfect day for a walk in this area. We start off about 9 with a temperature of 51 degrees. The starting place is on Avenue 9, by the driver range, just past the overpass. There is not really a parking area, but there is enough of an area to pull the car off of the side of the road.
The first eighth of a mile is on a paved road. The road has a closed gate, so there is no worry about traffic coming down the road. When we come close to the River, the road turns west. Shortly after this turn, we come to the junction with the van Bueren Trail. This trail leaves the road and becomes a single track heading north. We travel through the green grasses, which is nice now-in three months this grass will dry and turn brown. The trail goes along the northern boundary of the Conservancy property. There is an orchard of almond trees, all decked out in white.
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| Sherri on Van Bueren Trail |
Eventually the trail crosses the road and we walk close to some of the ponds which line the river. While crossing the road, I stopped to see what my oxygen level was and down went the pulse-ox. When I picked it up, the button to turn it on was missing. Guess I will never know what my O2 was at that point.
Still the ponds and pools were interesting to look at. We were getting close to the Old Muddy Pond. As we grow closer, we hear the laughter of children. And then we see the Pond and there are some canoes with the children in them. It is good to hear kids enjoying themselves in the outdoors-it builds appreciation of being out here. I think this is put on by the The San Joaquin River Parkway.
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| Steven and Sherri |
Where the activities are set up, there are a couple outhouses which we avail ourselves of. We also have an energy bar. I had a 10:30 or so turn around time. We still had about 10-15 minutes before we needed to turn around. But we decided that we might as well turn around now.
We head back, mostly on the road. Sherri asks me about a book I just finished, Heartwood by Amity Gaige. I gave her a 15 minute summary of the book.
The road is smooth, so it is easy to look around. Since I am facing the River while talking with Sherri, I spot some white on the River. Upon closer look, there are three white birds floating. I initially think they are heron’s, but Sherri thinks the bills look more like pelicans. After consulting Google Lens, it seems like Sherri is right. A little ways further we see an egret-definitely not a pelican. Egret are common around here while pelicans, not so much-those white birds may be American White Pelicans, by the way.
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| American White Pelican |
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| American White Pelican |
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| Egret |
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