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.

Big Chico Creek to Sacramento River and back.

Launch: Big Chico Creek access off of River Rd.
Take Out: Same as launch.
Fee: Free
Link: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=463
Google Map

This is a pleasant float that you can make as long or short as you want. The put in is nice and is only for canoe and kayak launching. It has a cement launch ramp, but can have lots of sand and gravel on it and is a little steep, so watch your footing. The parking lot is large enough for several cars. There is room for a trailer if you are towing one. There is a circle drive, so no need to back up.

The confluence to the Sacramento River is a little over 1/2 mile downstream. The paddle back upstream is usually easy enough for the beginning paddler, so judge for yourself and use common sense in higher water flows.

Along the way you will see a lot of wildlife. Birds, turtles, river otters, and beaver are in the area. Dawn and dusk are the best times for seeing beaver.

The Launch site.

The confluence of the Sacramento River

A family we met trying out a restored cedar strip canoe.

Going up Big Chico Creek.

We have introduced many friends to kayaking at this special spot. This is a favorite place of ours and we visit it several times a year. It is a good place for a quick paddle, or to spend an afternoon playing in the water. It is also a good starting place for a through float, more on that later.

Enjoy the float.

Saturday on the Sac.

A nice afternoon on the Sacramento River. It was in the mid 80's and we got on the water about 3pm. We took a friend with us, and she had a nice time. Also met a nice guy with two young boys who were trying out a restored cedar strip canoe.

This is a nice spot, not too far of a drive and easy to get away from people.

A link to more pictures:

This was also a trip to try our the new camera for kayaking, an Olympus Stylus 1050 SW. We just picked it up at costco last month.

Enjoy

--Sheldon