Wednesday, December 2, 2015

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This flat ride takes you along the winding levee roads above the fallow autumn fields around the Sacramento River and sloughs. Slow down and watch for Sandhill Cranes and other migratory birds around the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, on flooded farm fields, wetlands and marshy habitats on Staten Island and the Cosumnes River Preserve.

Group meet up in the town of Isleton:

View of Sandhill Cranes in flight:

Head east along Main St to H St.

Isleton’s Old Town-Chinatown and the many facade front buildings from a bygone era:

On Hwy 160/River Rd:

Cut across Andrus Island through a residential neighborhood on W Tyler Island Bridge Rd to the bridge crossing over Georgiana Slough:

Head NE on Tyler Island Rd-the winding levee road travels along Georgiana Slough on the west edge of Tyler Island:

Tyler Island Rd curves right towards Race Track Rd:

Northbound through the vineyards, farmlands and ranches along Race Track Rd:

Cut across Tyler Island through the industrial area out to the strawberry fields and vineyards at the south edge of Walnut Grove on Walnut Grove-Thornton Rd:

Ride through the Walnut Grove truss bridge over Mokelumne River towards Staten Island:

Right turn onto Staten Island Rd-great viewing site for Sandhill Cranes and other migratory birds:

Sandhill Cranes:

Birds in flight:

U-turn on Staten Island Rd-where pavement ends; retrace steps back out onto Walnut Grove Rd:

Turn right on Walnut Grove Rd-go over Mokelumne River:

Continue east through the farmlands on Walnut Grove Rd to Thornton:

Egrets:

Head north on Thornton Rd-ride through the country homes and ranches:

Thornton Rd vineyards and orchards:

Road name changes to Franklin Blvd at the Sacramento County line over Mokelumne River:

Lunch stop at Cosumnes River Preserve Visitor Center:

Continue north on Franklin Blvd with a stop at a bird viewing site at Lost Slough wetlands:

Cross the RR tracks on Desmond Rd to the north end of Cosumnes River Preserve:

Wildlife refuge area for bird-watching:

Sandhill Cranes and other birds in flight:

Continue on Bruceville Rd for more wildlife viewing opportunities-out & back section:

Egrets:

Return on Desmond Rd back onto Franklin Blvd-double the wildlife viewing opportunities:

Sandhill Cranes sighting on Franklin Blvd:

Franklin Blvd to Twin Cities Rd:

Head west on Twin Cities Rd through the pastoral ranch lands to I-5 on-ramp:

Stay on Twin Cities Rd through vineyards and farmlands to truss bridge over Snodgrass Slough:

Twin Cities Rd comes to T junction with River Rd/E13:

Head south along the Sacramento River on River Rd/E13 through the town of Locke:

River Rd/E13 continues through Walnut Grove towards the south end of town:

Exit River Rd onto Race Track Rd; retrace steps back through the open agricultural fields towards Tyler Island Rd:

Right bend onto Tyler Island Rd-return through the fallow farmlands along Georgiana Slough:

Cross Georgiana Slough to Tyler Island Bridge Rd:

Return on Hwy 160/River Rd to Isleton:

This is a wonderful variation of a classic ride around the islands and sloughs through the rich agricultural farmlands of Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The out & back segments doubles the wildlife viewing pleasures from Staten Island out to the Cosumnes River Preserve. Bring a camera and binoculars and watch for the magnificent Sandhill Cranes and other migratory birds around the delta grasslands!

Garmin Stats:
44.10 Miles with 335′ of elevation gain
Max elevation: 115′
Max grade: 5%
Terrain: Flat

Weather: Partly cloudy skies with cool temps ranging from the high 40’s to the high 50’s-brisk NE winds.

View the interactive RGPS route map & profile

Follow this route for today’s ride: