Pine Creek

Launch: Pine Creek Day Use Area

Take Out: Same as launch.
Fee: State Park Fees may apply
Link: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=463
Map: Map
Pine Creek is a small tributary to the Sacramento river. The launch is about ½ mile south of highway 32. This is a nicely maintained launch ramp ran by the state parks system with restrooms on site. There is a cement launch ramp, with paved parking for cars and trucks towing boat trailers. It never seems too busy, mostly being used by fishermen heading downstream to the Sacramento River to fish.

Pine Creek in July

Starting here and paddling upstream will give you a bit more of a workout, and a nice rest on the way back down.  Once you paddle under the highway 32 bridge, you feel like you are entering a different world.  Thick trees and shrubs surround you giving a haven to lots of wildlife that you would not have guessed was there, speeding by in your car.

Pine Creek in February

Muddy water after a storm

Kurt

Trista

Old riveted water pipe in a side channel 

A couple of river otters

This is a nice place year-round.  Winter and early Spring brings higher water and flows, giving a better workout going up, but you can usually go much farther without running out of navigable water.  Spring and Summer bring flowers to the area, and picking wild plums to snack on isn’t unheard of.  Late Summer has the creek at pond like status, with water plants so thick in areas that it can be like paddling across carpet.

So if you are looking for a new kayaking spot, give this a try.

Enjoy the float.