Happy 2014! Welcome to the worst drought in the history of the State of California! Seriously, we are very dry here; Sacramento got only 4.5" of rain in 2013 - that is nearly half of what Phoenix received in 2013. After installing my low-flow shower nozzles, I headed up to what used to be Folsom Lake to see the old mining settlements now above water.
Folsom Lake is down to about 17% of capacity, and most of the lake bed is now above water. The landscape is somewhat bizarre with the submerged rocks and old tree stumps now smooth and silty. One of the best ways to reach the settlements is through the Folsom Lake Marina. These guys have done a good job of managing the crowds and helping to make the experience much nicer. It is a $12 park admission fee - like all other visits to Folsom Lake - but the fee helps cover the portable toilets, trash collection, and overall park maintenance. The marina staff even set up a webpage to document the revealed landscapes.
The settlement of Mormon Island is still underwater, but several of the buildings located on the outskirts of town are now visible, including a dairy and a potential winery. Lots of debris are still located around the buildings, and many people have moved them on top of the various walls and rocks to display them. There was even a volunteer from the local historical society telling visitors about this history of the area.
As you can see, not all of the debris comes from the gold rush. The place is now very busy, although not at all crowded. There is a LOT of open space that is somewhat bumpy but overall easy to walk. Many families brought their kids and dogs who both loved running around the open spaces and getting dirty in the mud. It is very dusty, so prepare for getting a layer of dirt on everything. The area is also pretty close to the foothill wineries if you want to check them out too; you may need a glass after hiking!
It is unfortunate that the lake is dry enough to see this part of California's history, but this is a great way to make a lot of lemonade out of our lemons. Enjoy the rest of the pictures below.
