January's Kayak Trip

For our January kayak trip we decided on the the Thermalito Afterbay.  A cool and foggy day, but no wind.  We launched at the Monument Hill launch ramp.  We were hoping for more birds, but so were some of the duck hunters we saw.

Brenda & Makenna keeping warm

Coots taking off.

Ruddy Duck

Sheldon and Trista

 

All is quiet in the fog

Run!

 

 

 

 

Back to the launch.

This is a nice area to explore in the winter.  Summer time finds it full of jet skis and power boats.  We had in mostly to ourselves, just a few friendly hunters today.

Don't miss out on a wintertime paddle, they can be very enjoyable.

Wednesday

Wednesday

Wednesday

New Favorite Kayak Shirt

I got a package in the mail the other day, it was from a friend of mine.  In it I found what may become my favorite shirt for kayaking.

Do you have a favorite shirt you wear on the water?  I would love to hear about it.

Have a good weekend, hope to see you on the water.

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.

Wednesday

Sunset on the Thermalito Forebay.