The falls at Jenkinson Lake -- a popular destination for hikers and paddlers in April |
‘Tis the season for waterfalls and wildflowers. April usually brings a boatload of scenic kayaking to Northern California, and Jenkinson Lake was the destination this year. Some NorCal Yak pals led a recent Sunday paddle to a beautiful waterfall at this well-maintained, multi-use recreation area near Pollock Pines.
Feel the mist, listen to the roar, soothe the soul |
We pushed off from
Stonebraker Launch and tootled around the main part of the lake for an
hour or so. In this dry year, the shoreline already has that “bathtub ring” but
thickly wooded areas add a softer touch to the scenery. Plus, it’s quiet this
time of year – another advantage to April kayaking. A 5-mph speed limit on the
northern side of the lake doesn’t hurt, either. We saw only a couple of fishing boats as we cruised toward the dam and backtracked along the shoreline.
Some NorCal Yak
pals who had paddled up here just a week earlier guided us up the narrow end of the lake, where we pulled out for lunch in the tall grass followed by a short (four-tenths
of a mile) walk through an evergreen canopy to the lake’s premier waterfall.
What a surprise!
Even with limited runoff, the falls were two stories high and at least 12 feet
wide, and they cascaded off the rocks into several mini-falls. There’s nothing
like the low roar of rushing water and the gentle kiss of a cool mist to soothe
the soul. And there was comfortable seating, with boulders flattened and
polished by centuries of rushing water.
It was the kind
of place where we could have spent an entire day and we probably should have.
But there were a few other places to explore – including the inlet leading to
the falls. We got less than 100 yards upstream before low water and bumpy rocks
convinced us to fall back with the current. Our trip -- around the lake and the waterfall walk -- covered 5.5 miles according to my GPS, but the variety of paddling and walking made it seem like we had covered more distance.
Owned by the El Dorado Irrigation District, Jenkinson Lake is part of the Sly Park Recreation Area and little more than an hour's drive from Sacramento off Highway 50. Check the official link above along with EveryTrail for other details. Day use fee is $11, or $9 with the geezer (62 or older) discount. Ask for a map of the lake and trails at the Jenkinson ranger kiosk.
Owned by the El Dorado Irrigation District, Jenkinson Lake is part of the Sly Park Recreation Area and little more than an hour's drive from Sacramento off Highway 50. Check the official link above along with EveryTrail for other details. Day use fee is $11, or $9 with the geezer (62 or older) discount. Ask for a map of the lake and trails at the Jenkinson ranger kiosk.
Here are some
other prime spots for waterfalls and wildflowers from April kayaking trips in
recent years….
~ ~ ~
Lake Berryessa
is one of those gems hidden in plain sight, also called Solano County. It tends
to drop quick as the temperature rises with the Bay Area’s thirst, so April is
probably the best month for wildflower tours via kayak. The lupine and iris
displays can be spectacular.
Lupine deccorate the shore at Lake Berryessa (2012 photo) |
~ ~ ~
Over in Nevada County,
there’s a double-shot of fall and flowers at Lake Englebright. An Easter Sunday paddle in 2011 evoked memories of an
Irish spring with its “soft weather” – light rain showers interspersed with overcast
skies and sun – and a waterfall around every bend in the narrow lake. Begorrah, that was one fine day.
Lake Englebright offers waterfalls on the hillsides and iris on the shoreline (2011 photos) |
While the falls
weren’t Yosemite-sized, they were incredibly beautiful and accessible by yak.
The steep hillsides were so lush that we usually heard the falling water before
we saw it. Small streams cascaded between moss-covered boulders and
stair-stepped their way into the lake.
~ ~ ~
Finally, don’t
forget to look close to home for that spring fling. Take Lake Natoma (part of the Folsom State Recreation Area) near
Sacramento. If you launch from Negro Bar just
Cruising toward Folsom Prison on a wildflower tour |
below the Town of Folsom, you can paddle upstream to a point just below
Folsom Prison (“Hello, I’m Johnny Cash”) and enjoy spring bouquets popping
right out of the granite cliffs.
There are also
several small, spontaneous waterfalls here in spring. I used to enjoy them
greatly until a NorCal Yak pal who happens to be a water scientist told me that
these mini-falls originate from lawn sprinkler runoff, street side car-washing
and the like – or as he called it, “urban drool.”
Bouquets grow right out of the rocks |
Well, that kind
of spoiled the mood….but on the other hand, we all need to remember that water
is a precious commodity in these dry times. And if we want to enjoy future spring
waterfalls and wildflowers, we ’d best conserve as much water as possible to keep
our environment healthy.
© 2014 Glenn
Brank