A Balmy Golden Autumn ! The Red Hills Terroir Vineyard Pathway View of Anderson Marsh State Historic Park from Vigilance Winery One of the most captivating views in Lake County is on the Vigilance Winery & Vineyard grounds. We're delighted that the tasting room re-opened this year, with hours from Friday-Sunday, 11am-5pm. Visitors are invited to enjoy their wine and lunches at picnic tables beneath apple and walnut trees while taking in views of serene, gently-sloping vineyards and the distant Anderson Marsh. A fine bocce court invites you to tarry a bit longer and play a few rounds while catching glimpses of the lovely scenery. For those not familiar with this area, you'll be delighted to discover a vineyard pathway linking this winery to another, Gregory Graham Wines, further down Pt. Lakeview Rd. Click on the map for the link to the full description on the KRT Website. You definitely won't come home empty-handed after the tastings. Vigilance, owned by the Shannon family, also offers Shannon Ranch grass-fed lamb! Ambling in Anderson Marsh State Historic Park A hiker and runner meet beneath a giant oak on the Cache Creek Trail. The cooler months have a way of drawing us back to wide open spaces like Anderson Marsh. Giant oak and walnut trees welcome you at the trailhead for the Cache Creek Trail, and with the old barn and historic ranch home, you can't help but feel nostalgic. The guided walks are done for the year, but the park remains open throughout the week to amblers and runners, and most of all, nature enthusiasts (bring your binoculars). It is nothing short of delightful to wander from broad, sun- drenched meadows to the graceful arches of oaks that create an enchanting chiaroscuro of shadow and light. Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association's "Old Fashioned Christmas Open House" will be held once more in the historic ranch house on Saturday, Dec. 13 from 10am-2pm. It's a great opportunity to spend time with the devoted AMIA Board members and volunteers who have shared their love for this park in a festive Victorian setting replete with music, a warm hearth, homemade sweets, cider, and of course, Santa Claus! For more information about the event, contact AMIA at [email protected] or call 707-995-2658. Paper Subdivision Draft Management Plan Under Review The steep hills bordering the north shore of Clear Lake contain over 10,000 "un-developable" parcels commonly referred to as "paper subdivisions." Created in the early 20th century by land speculators, the lots have remained unbuilt due to geographic instability and no provisions for water, sewer, drainage or adequate roads. Last month, a long-range Paper Subdivision Draft Management Plan was completed by staff from the Community Development Department with input from several area site visits and research compiled primarily by KRT volunteers Holly Harris and Chuck Lamb to address these areas. It includes a pilot project proposed to acquire land and create a series of trails in the hills above Lucerne. Many thanks to all community volunteers and County staff who have participated in the site visits and produced this long-awaited draft! The plan will be presented to the Board of Supervisors on Nov. 18th at 9:30am by the Lake County Community Development Department. The draft plan can be viewed from a link to the KRT Northshore Study Area. Mendocino National Forest staff and KRT volunteers at a paper subdivision cleanup event in spring 2014 Mt Konocti Intepretive Panels Nearing Completion Thanks to the dedicated work of KRT Volunteer Tom Nixon, County staff Linda Lake, and graphic artist Gerri Groody, the last interpretive panels to be installed at several locations on Mt. Konocti will soon be completed. Funding for the panels was made possible through Public Service's submission of a CA State Parks Habitat Conservation Fund grant application that was approved after the County acquired parcels on Mt Konocti in 2009. The panels discuss topics and include archived as well as vivid photographs relating to the mountain's namesake, the geology, local Native Americans, origins of the CDF tower on Wright Peak, local flora and fauna, and pioneer woman, Mary Downen. The team will also be developing an additional panel that will honor the memory of Mae and Mervin Enzler who perished in a tragic aircraft crash in January 1970 on their way to Ukiah. The site is about 200 ft from the summit of Wright Peak. Funding for that panel is currently being sourced. Another Successful Konocti Challenge! Congratulations to the Lakeport Rotary Club, and especially to Ride Director, Jennifer Strong, for another outstanding community event that attracted hundreds of out-of-town bike riders to Lake County. The Konocti Challenge was held at a new location this year - the Skylark Shores Resort - which provided a much larger and beautiful venue for the bike riders. As always, riders commented on the excellent service by the SAG team, the rest stop organizations, and helpful staff. County staff and volunteers provided trails information at a KRT booth situated right next to the registration tent. They also signed up hikers interested in a guided docent hike to Wright Peak. The package included transportation, courtesy of Hoberg's Resort & Spa, unlimited ice cold drinks, lunch, and an olive oil tasting, courtesy of Chacewater Winery & Olive Mill. Many thanks to the docents who participated in the "day-after-Konocti Challenge" hike! Emilio de la Cruz presents Chacewater's olive oil selections to the hiking crew on Wright Peak. South County Volunteers Consider Lasting Improvements To Protect Putah Creek Over the years, the Caltrans parcel situated in the southeast corner of the Hwy 29 and Hartmann Rd. intersection has seen many challenges, primarily illegal OHV access (including on adjoining private parcels), as well as dumping. Supervisor Comstock, Mendocino Nat'l Forest OHV Recreation staff, Valley Oaks developer Ken Porter, and Hidden Valley Lake volunteers discuss long term solutions to protect Putah Creek and opportunities to develop a creekside trail. The KRT "SCOUT" (South County Overland Unity Trails) team invited Mike Burmann and Laura Bates, Mendocino National Forest OHV Recreation staff, to meet with Supervisor Comstock, and Valley Oaks developer Ken Porter, who plans a small park adjacent to the parcel to discuss the future of this parcel. As Mike and Laura have been involved in similar creekside restoration projects such as the Middle Creek Campground just north of Upper Lake, they were sought to provide advice on ways to manage OHV incursions on these areas, and restore native vegetation to protect the stream bank. Caltrans still retains ownership of the parcel; an attempt to put it up for auction this past spring did not produce any parties willing to offer a $50K starting bid. The team decided to outline a staged plan that would identify stakeholders in the surrounding area, and develop steps to prevent further serious riparian area degredation. At a future time, they envision a trail that would connect to the HVL levee along Putah Creek, and possibly also running west toward Big Canyon Rd. Konocti Regional Trails Meeting in December The last KRT Team Meeting for the year will take place at the Board of Supervisors Chambers on Friday, Dec. 5th, from 10am-noon. The meeting is open to the public. Several project opportunities have been identified in the last year. Because of limited resources, we will be narrowing down our focus on just a few, and will discuss ways to keep our ears to the ground for longer-term projects. The team will be also be discussing fundraising and grant opportunities. For more information, please contact Gigi Stahl at 707-263-2580. Upcoming Events The Great Highland Springs Scavenger Hunt Trail Rally Poker Ride on Horseback Host: Lake County Horse Council When: Sat. Nov. 15, 9am Where: Highland Springs Rec Area horse staging area Cost: $5 members, $15 non-members, which includes 1-yr membership Contact: Kim Riley or Website for more details Please be aware that the trails at Highland Springs are shared by many different users, and there will be a significant number of horseback riders on that day. Click here for a guide to proper trail etiquette. Bird Walk at Clear Lake State Park Host: CLSPIA When: Sat. Nov. 15, 8:30-10:30am Where: Clear Lake SP Visitor Center Cost: Free Contact: 707-279-2267 Join Brad Barnwell for a bird walk along Cole Creek, Kelsey Creek Outlet and Kelsey Slough at Clear Lake State Park. The walk will be at a slow pace and cover about one mile of paved road and trails. Participants should wear sturdy shoes and bring binoculars/scopes, birding guide and water. Rain will cancel the walk. Clear Lake State Park is located at 5300 Soda Bay Rd, Kelseyville, and entry into the park is free for those attending the walk. Anyone having special needs should contact the Clear Lake State Park Sector office Tuesday through Thursday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at 707-279-2267. Hike at Boggs Mountain Demonstration State Forest Host: Friends of Boggs Mountain When: Sat. Nov. 22, 9am Where: Boggs parking lot Cost: Free Contact: Karen Rhoads Join Karen on a 4-5 mile moderately-paced hike on various Boggs trails. Bring water, a hat, snack and wear sturdy shoes. We meet in Boggs parking lot. Friendly, leashed dogs welcome. Bird Walk at Lakeside County Park Host: Redbud Audubon Society When: Sat. Nov. 22, 9am Where: Parking lot on east side of park, near boat launch Cost: Free Contact: Pat Harmon, 263-4977 Lakeside County Park is perfect for a stroll near the lake and is often the site of interesting shore birds, raptors, and sometimes the Yellow-headed Blackbird.