The Redding area has two new outdoor features that you need to check out. If you’re feeling ambitious, you could even tie the two together with a bike ride.
First up is the new kiosk at the Clear Creek Gorge Overlook, featuring precious shade from the summer sun and a gorgeous tile mosaic. Created by Redding artist Paul Rideout, the mosaic elegantly explains the life cycle of salmon.
Adjacent to the kiosk are some new benches and picnic tables, which provide pleasant resting spots when the sun is low.
These nice additions to the Clear Creek Gorge Overlook are the latest fruit from the cooperative efforts of the Western Shasta County Resources Conservation District, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the California Department of Boating and Waterways. Those entities and others also get credit for successfully restoring salmon spawning habitat in the creek. The gorge overlook is located on Clear Creek Road, five miles west of Highway 273. Just follow the BLM’s new signs.
The second new feature is a short but enjoyable trail along the Sacramento River from the South Bonnyview boat launch to the East Bonnyview neighborhood. The boat launch is undergoing a major overhaul thanks to three state grants that the City of Redding lined up. The project includes construction of a fishing pier accessible to people in wheelchairs and scooters, a new launch for canoes and kayaks, and refurbished restrooms. All of that work is ongoing and is scheduled to be finished in September, whereupon the facility will be renamed the John Reginato River Access in honor of the late promoter of our region’s outdoor wonders.
The Sacramento River as seen from the new trail in the East Bonnyview area.
In addition, the California Conservation Corps has built a three-quarter-mile-long, multi-use trail from the boat launch area, through a heavily vegetated area adjacent to River Tasalmi (formerly River Bend) golf course to the end of Nicolet Lane. The winding dirt trail has about eight short spurs that lead to the water’s edge, offering opportunities for fishermen and for anyone searching for a shady spot to relax by the river.
I’m not sure that the trail is officially open, as the south end at the boat launch site is still a construction zone. Still, I was hardly the only person on the trail Thursday afternoon, and all of the bike tire tracks suggested that plenty of others have already discovered this little gem.
You could ride from the new trail by taking South Bonnyview Road across the railroad tracks and Highway 273 to Cedars Road. Turn left when you get to Branstetter Lane, and left again on Texas Springs Road. After climbing some small hills, veer left on Honey Bee (careful, this is a narrow lane with blind turns) and then hang a right on Clear Creek Road. It’s about eight miles one-way.
On today’s A La Carte menu:
Don’t let the sun go down on you … The annual Sunset Through the Trees running series commences at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 26, at Lake Redding Park’s pavilion. Take your pick of a 4.3-miler on the Sacramento River bike path and through the arboretum, or a 2-miler that sticks to the bike path. Races continue every Tuesday evening through September 6, with additional events on Friday, August 5 and Saturday, August 20. The entry fee for all but the August 20 event is only $2.
Enjoy the sights on Highway 97 … You’ll have plenty of opportunity to do so, as Caltrans has two improvement projects under way north of Weed that will delay traffic for upwards of 15 minutes apiece. Caltrans is working between the Grass Valley Lake rest stop and Ball Mountain, and from MacDoel through Dorris to the Oregon state line. Construction, and delays, will continue through the fall.
Be your own boss … Shasta College’s Small Business Development Center is conducting a short workshop on starting your own business. The session is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 27, at the center’s new digs, 2990 Innsbruck Road, in Redding. Business structure, developing a business plan, and procuring permits and licenses are on the agenda. The session costs $10 and you need to register in advance. Learn more about that workshop and others on the SBDC’s website.
Paul Shigley is a freelance journalist based in Western Shasta County, CA, and is an advocate of relaxing by the river. He may be reached at pauls.anewscafe@gmail.com.
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