- This event has passed.
Self-Guided Hikes
March 7, 2021 @ 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Free – $20.00
COVID-19 Exposure and Illness Prevention
Following CDC guidelines, we are limiting group activities on the Preserve. A maximum of 50 people will be allowed access per day. Pre-registration with a non-refundable $10 per person charge, and completing a liability waiver before arriving are mandatory to participate.
Please review the Deer Creek Hills Preserve COVID 19 Safety Protocols
We believe time spent outdoors is essential for people’s health and well-being. With careful planning and visitor cooperation, we can mitigate risks to still allow a small number of visitors to access Deer Creek Hills for self-guided hiking. All participants MUST pre-register, pre-pay the $10 non-refundable registration fee and bring COMPLETED liability forms with them. Registration closes 6:00pm the Friday prior. No day of registration and no walk-ins. These changes are to reduce the exchange of money and sharing of pens at check-in. These changes are for the safety of our guests as well as staff/volunteers working in the corral. Anyone visiting Deer Creek Hills without pre-registration, liability forms, pre-payment will be asked to register for a future trip. NO exceptions. Thank you for understanding.
During your visit, please follow the 6-foot social buffer and do not convene in groups around the picnic tables. We suggest that if visitors choose to take rests or picnics, they do so just off of the trail on the most durable surfaces. Use portlets with caution. Units are serviced every Friday, however these can be a high-use areas. Come prepared with your own hand sanitizer.
If you have any symptoms, think you have been exposed to someone with the virus or aren’t sure, please stay home. Visit when you are well. The preserve has been protected in perpetuity (FOREVER) and will be here for you to explore when you’re healthy.
If you plan to attend 8 or more outings (rides or hikes) in the next 12 months, consider purchasing a Season Pass for $75. You will still need to register for each individual outing to reserve a spot.
Self-Guided Hiking
Hike, stroll, meander or run. Self-guided hikes are for YOU! Explore the marked trails of Deer Creek Hills Preserve at your own speed. Donations are vital to maintaining and Preserve and offering public outings. Consider donating online or leaving a few bucks in the donation jar at the registration table.
There are 3 trail options:
- North Pond Loop — approximately 3 miles, mostly shaded. Can be started no later than 11:30am
- Two Ponds Loop — 4.5 miles, mostly in open skies. Can be started no later than 11:00am
- Barn Pond Loop — 6 miles, mixture of open skies and shaded woodland. Can be started no later than 10am.
A map will be provided and the trails are marked. Please dress appropriate for the forecasted weather (layers recommended), wear sturdy closed-toed shoes, and bring a cell phone, snacks and plenty of water. SVC Staff working the event will exchange cell numbers with you prior to hiking out.
The road to access Deer Creek Hills is not paved and requires crossing Crevis Creek. 4WD and higher clearance vehicles are recommended, especially in the spring when there is water in Crevis Creek, but are not required. Visitors who do not want to drive through the creek crossing may park along the shoulder of Latrobe Road, cross on foot, and walk the remaining mile to the trailhead at Eagle Camp Corral.
All events are subject to weather conditions. Projected rain, high creek levels, or extremely muddy conditions on the Preserve may cancel the outing. Registered guests will be notified the evening prior via email and the event will be labeled as canceled on the website.
- Smoking is prohibited on the preserve.
- No dogs allowed, except working service dogs.
- Practice Leave No Trace Ethics; Pack It In – Pack It Out.
- Porta-potties on site. No running water. Arrive hydrated and bring plenty of drinking water.
- Arrive as early as 9am to start your Deer Creek Hills experience.
- Return and be off the trails by 1pm. Gates will be locked at 1:00pm.
Important Resources
- Directions to Deer Creek Hills Preserve
- Adult Release of Liability – please print, complete, and bring with you
- Minor Release of Liability – only required if you are chaperoning minors of which you are NOT a legal guardian
- Visitor FAQ
- Deer Creek Hills Preserve COVID 19 Safety Protocols
North Pond Trail Guide – $10
Optional – upgrade your hiking experience with this educational guide covering the history, flora, fauna and geology along the North Pond Loop at Deer Creek Hills Preserve. Take a self-guided tour with interesting information paced for each of the 23 posts along the trail loop. This booklet includes 22 pages packed with text and photos assembled by knowledgeable biologists, historians, geologists, and docents of Deer Creek Hills Preserve. Proceeds from trail guide sales support the permanent protection and maintenance of Deer Creek Hills.
Purchase the guide along with your ticket (below), and we’ll have your copy waiting at the checkin table at Deer Creek Hills.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Rain or flooding on Latrobe Road will close Deer Creek Hills. Registered hikers will be notified via email and given the option to transfer registration to any future hike that has not hit the 50 person capacity, or donate fees to stewardship & trail maintenance projects on the Preserve. Registration payments are not refundable. If you have extenuating circumstances or are unable to attend a hike, please contact us as soon as possible for assistance. Ticket transfer requests can be directed to Amy Rodrigues arodrigues@sacramentovalleyconservancy.org
If you have additional questions about outings at Deer Creek Hills, please contact SVC Program Coordinator, Carly Amatisto at (916) 612-3719 or outreach@sacramentovalleyconservancy.org
Planning Your Visit
REGISTER
Deer Creek Hills Preserve is only open when SVC staff, docents, or licensed partners are on the property to host guests. Pre-registration is required. Visit our Events Calendar and sign up for any outings you would like to attend.
If you are interested in scheduling your own public or private event at Deer Creek Hills Preserve, you will need to submit a Special Event, Camping, or License Agreement Application.
WHAT TO BRING
Please dress appropriately for the forecasted weather and activity. Layers, a hat, and sunblock are recommended. Wear sturdy shoes with heavy tread or hiking boots. Open-toed shoes, flip-flops and sandals are not allowed. Bring a daypack with plenty of water and high-energy snacks or lunch to enjoy. Portapotties are located near the corral at the trailhead, but there is no running water to refill bottles, so please be sure to arrive well-hydrated and bring plenty of drinking water for your visit.
Don’t forget any medications, braces, or gear that you regularly utilize when participating in lengthy outdoor activities.
We ask that you please hike with a cell phone. Cell numbers will be exchanged with SVC Staff or Docents hosting this event. As a guest to the preserve, SVC asks you practice Leave No Trace Ethics; Pack It In – Pack It Out.
Every visitor is required to fill out a release of liability waiver for every visit. Upon arrival, you’ll be asked to give your liability form to an SVC Docent or staff member. Please be sure to write legibly and include your emergency contact’s phone number just in case.
You can speed up the on-site checkin process by bringing your printed form already completed: Adult Release of Liability
If your child is attending an event with another adult (no legal guardian accompanying them), please complete this form ahead of time and ensure the chaperone brings it: Minor Release of Liability
WHAT TO LEAVE HOME
- Animals. No dogs or pets allowed on the preserve, except working service dogs (please check in with a staff member upon your arrival)
- Drones or other remote-controlled gadgets
- Hunting and fishing gear
- Shovels or mining gear (unless tools were specifically requested for a volunteer project you signed up for)
- Dirt bikes and ATVs
- Cigarettes, lighters and matches. Smoking is strictly prohibited and fire is a major concern on the Preserve.
GETTING TO DEER CREEK HILLS
Please review the Directions to Deer Creek Hills Preserve before visiting. Most outings leave from the Eagle Camp Corral on Latrobe Road, which is a rough dirt road. A creekbed crossing is involved, with no bridge to reach Eagle Camp Corral, but is passable with most cars (higher clearance vehicles such as SUV’s or pickups recommended in the wet season). If you are in a lower clearance vehicle and cannot make the rough crossing, simply park near Latrobe Road and Stone House Road and walk down Latrobe Road to Eagle Camp Corral. This is approximately 1 mile. Be sure to take precautions by locking your car and storing any valuables out of view.
CANCELATIONS
Most of our hikes will take place rain or shine, but we hope for shine. SVC will notify hikers as timely as possible if a hike is canceled. If your plans change and you are unable to attend, please email outreach@sacramentovalleyconservancy.org with your name and event date so we can free the space for another interested guest.
SUPPORTING DEER CREEK HILLS
Thank you for your interest in participating with Sacramento Valley Conservancy at Deer Creek Hills Preserve. As a nonprofit organization, SVC relies on donations to be able to host hikes and outings on the preserve. Please consider supporting our efforts by making a tax-deductible donation today. We hope you enjoy your time experiencing some of Sacramento’s best Open Space!
