Howard Ranch Tours
at the
Rancho Seco Howard Ranch Trail
Come join the Preserve for a series of spring guided walks featuring the magnificent vernal pool habitat along the Rancho Seco Howard Ranch Trail. The hikes, which are led by Preserve naturalists, take visitors on a 7 mile trek through open grasslands where wildflowers carpet the landscapes.
Saturday March 17th
Sunday March 25th
Saturday March 31st
Saturday April 7th
Sunday April 15th
Saturday April 21st
Sunday April 29th
2 Additional Dates Added!!
Sunday May 6th
Saturday May 12th
Walks will begin at 8:45 a.m. at the trailhead.
The trailhead is located at the North Dam parking lot in Rancho Seco Recreational Area off Highway 104/Twin Cities Road. Once in the Recreation Area, turn Left before the dam and drive down the gravel road to the Lake/Trailhead.
Walks generally take 3 1/2 - 4 hours which includes a stop for a snack/lunch.
We advise you to bring water, a snack, sunscreen and a hat.
Rancho Seco Recreation Area is open daily from 7am-6pm and there is a $10 charge per vehicle.
More info on the Rancho Seco Howard Ranch trail is available here.
Directions to Rancho Seco Recreation Area
Trail Fact Sheet & Map for Rancho Seco Howard Ranch Trail
The 7-mile Rancho Seco Howard Ranch Trail is a hiker’s paradise! The trail begins by winding around the north end of Rancho Seco Lake along willow scrub and riparian marsh habitat. As the trail leaves the water's edge, it travels up onto a flat terrace supporting a mosaic of vernal pools and grassland habitat. This terrace also offers dramatic views of extensive blue oak woodlands in the foothills and the far-off peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
When filled with water, vernal pools are crucial to the short life cycle of federally listed threatened and endangered species, such as the California tiger salamander, fairy shrimp, tadpole shrimp, and Western spadefoot toad. In the spring, masses of flowering plants carpet the basins of these pools creating a sight not to be missed.
Be sure to mark your calendars so you don’t miss out! The trailhead is located at the North Dam parking lot in Rancho Seco Recreation Area off Highway 104.
Check out this recent article on vernal pools in Sacramento Valley. Copy and paste this link in your browser:
www.capradio.org/articles/2011/05/09/preserving-sacramento-valley's-vernal-pools
Cosumnes River Preserve * 13501 Franklin Blvd. Galt CA 95632
(916) 684-2816
info@cosumnes.org