DPMR Trail Teaser Wrap Up – Sagehen Creek
Date: Monday, June 15, 2015
Course Type: Out & Back
Start/Finish: Sagehen Creek Trailhead (approx. 6.8 miles north of Truckee on Highway 89)
Distance: 4.5 miles (options to go further)
Elevation: 177 ft (truly flat – not “Tahoe Flat”)
SUMMARY:
After a short carpool from the Truckee Rec Center, a handful of us started a jog on a truly flat, but scenic single-track trail known as Sagehen Creek. The trail parallels [shocking] Sagehen Creek for what is normally about 2.5 miles to Stampede Reservoir. This year however, due to the ongoing drought, Stampede was a bit more elusive. That aside, the trail wasn’t dusty or barren as one might expect. On the contrary; it was quite lush, green and splashed with wildflowers.
After running for about 2 miles alongside the babbling creek and through the tall pines that really are the signature of our little paradise, we reached a meadow that was teaming with purple wildflowers and was accompanied by an orchestra of crickets.
Continuing along and nearing the halfway point of the evening’s run at about 2.2 miles, we crossed the creek via a couple of sturdy wooden balance beams and then reached our turn-around point to begin the journey back. Tracing our path back through the meadow and along Saghen Creek, we were greeted by the various sounds of dusk – in particular one vocal frog! Back at the trailhead we piled into our cars and headed home.
The trail was fun, fast single track that had plenty of rocks, roots and even a fallen tree or two to keep us on our toes. As for elevation, it’s a bit deceptive: the way out is a very gradual descent which over-inflates the ego a bit only to be deflated on the way back due to the very gradual climb.
Thanks again to Helen who led this great run as usual!
MAP:
ELEVATION PROFILE:
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