KELSEYVILLE – Lake Family Resource Center’s (Lake FRC) California HOPE project, a short term community based project helping Lake County residents recover from recent wildfires, is hosting a series of hour long walks in preparation for their upcoming Hike of HOPE on May 11, 2019. The walks are free and open to the public.
The next walk is scheduled for tomorrow (Wednesday, April 10) from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. begins at the Highland Springs parking area just below the dam, 3600 Highland Springs Road, Lakeport, and will explore the trail surrounding the lake. The Highland Springs area is characterized by scrub brush, oak woodland and open range land. The trail is moderately hilly, and offers views of Mt. Konocti. This area is known for its prolific, and sometimes rare, wildflowers during the spring.
On Saturday, April 20 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., community members can enjoy a more rugged hike at the Redbud Trail of Cache Creek Management Area in south east Lake County. This trail offers steeper hills and views of the creek with many opportunities to view wildlife and wildflowers. Participants will meet at the Cache Creek Management Area parking lot off Highway 20 where the Redbud trail begins. The parking area is approximately 5.5 miles east of the Highway 53 and Highway 20 junction, or about one mile past New Long Valley Road on Highway 20 east.
The final and most challenging walk is at Glen Eden in the Cow Mountain Recreation Area in north Lakeport on Wednesday, April 24 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. The trail starts off in a shaded oak forest but quickly opens up to chaparral and offers stunning views of Mt. Konocti. The trailhead is located off Scotts Valley Road, about 8 miles northwest from the intersection of Hwy 29 and Scotts Valley Road in Lakeport.
“We intentionally offered increasingly challenging walks to get us ready for the Hike of HOPE,” noted Ashley Edlow, Lake FRC Cal HOPE Outreach Worker. “We also included hikes with exceptional views to help us remember the beauty of spring in Lake County.”
“As it turns out,” added Jessica Windrem, Lake FRC Cal HOPE Outreach Worker, “exercise is one of the best things we can do to not only relieve stress, but to prevent it, too. I can’t think of a better way to support our healing than being outdoors during Lake County’s most beautiful time of the year.”
“With the weekly Cup of HOPE gatherings, the Walks of HOPE in April, and the Hike of HOPE in May, we’re offering a variety of ways to inspire and support our fire impacted community,” said Lisa Morrow, Lake FRC executive director and Cal HOPE program manager.
Participants are encouraged to wear sturdy shoes, bring water, a sunhat and sunscreen. Dogs, glass, smoking, alcohol and fires are prohibited on the walks. More information on the walks is available on the Lake FRC Cal HOPE website.
Lake FRC’s California HOPE is a short term community based project helping Lake County residents recover from recent wildfires. Outreach workers provide free and confidential services to individuals, families, groups and organizations impacted by recent fires, including information and linkage to resources, emotional support, education, and community networking opportunities. Additionally, free workshops and educational presentations exploring the phases of disaster and common reactions to disasters are available to groups, schools, businesses and organizations. Services are provided by Lake FRC through a grant from Lake County Behavioral Health Services.
For more information on Lake FRC California HOPE and upcoming activities and events, visit www.lakefrc.org/calhope or www.Facebook.com/Lake FRC: California Hope or call 707-349-5203. For more information and registration for the Hike of HOPE, visit https://hikeofhope.eventbrite.com.
