BLM ANNOUNCES GUIDED HIKES TO VIEW BALD EAGLES

Free guided hikes to view wintering bald eagles in the Cache Creek area of Lake County will be offered by the U. S. Bureau of Land Management's Ukiah Field Office.

Wildlife biologist Gregg Mangan said the hikes will be offered Saturdays, Jan. 20 and 27, and Feb. 3, 10, 17 and 24. Those interested in participating should call the Ukiah Field Office in Ukiah at (707) 468_4000 to make a reservation for a specific date, as these hikes are limited to 25 participants each.

Hikers will assemble at 10 a.m. at the Redbud trailhead parking lot, eight miles east of Clearlake Oaks on Highway 20,  just west of the bridge over the North Fork of Cache Creek.

Hikes will last three to four  hours and cover about four miles.  A steep rise of 600 feet in elevation occurs within the first mile, so hikers should be in good physical condition and must wear good hiking boots, due to possible wet trail conditions.

They should bring water, lunch, and binoculars.  Participants should also dress for cold weather.  Rainy weather will cancel.

During these hikes, visitors will enjoy scenic vistas of the river canyon, where it is often possible to view eagles soaring over the creek or perched in stream side trees. 

In addition to bald eagles, visitors are often able to see other wildlife, such as tule elk, golden eagles, osprey, herons, red_tailed hawks, and egrets.

For further information call the BLM's office in Ukiah.

-BLM-