Category Archives: Burney Falls

April 6, 2019 · 9:48 pm

18th Annual Ham Run Coming May 4th

The Burney Chamber of Commerce invites everyone to the 18th annual Ham Run at the McArthur Burney Falls Memorial State Park on Saturday, May 4, 2019 between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. This is a great family event in a spectacular setting. It includes a 2 Mile Run/Walk and 5K run through the park and onto the dirt trails.

Registration forms available by calling 530-335-2111 or email burneycoc@gmail.com. You can also visit Rising Sun Fit Club or U.S Bank in Burney. Pre-registration (before Apr. 20) for this event provides FREE entry into the park for the whole day, so make sure to register early. T-Shirt also available for Pre-registration.

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February 2, 2019 · 6:26 pm

Friends of Burney Falls State Park & Friends of Castle Crags State Park 2019 Annual Report

From Catherine Camp, President, McArthur Burney Falls Interpretive Association:

We are fortunate in our supporters and staff indeed. 2018 was challenging for so many of our friends and neighbors with fires and smoke for most of the summer months. Our parks remain beautiful and safe and your support has allowed us to maintain the interpretive and educational activities that are a part of many visitors experience.

McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park

Visitor Center and Interpretive Activities

The Visitor Center, open April through October, continues to be an inviting stop for many visitors to the park, more than 20,000 in 2018. The Center provides displays and hands-on activities about the geology, animal and plant life and cultural history of the area. In addition, weather and daily interpretive activities are displayed and hard-working camp host volunteers help visitors plan their time in the Park. These hosts are knowledgeable about the park and, in many cases, have returned again and again. The Park’s Interpretive Association offers special thanks to Cheryl Fish, Dave and Gloria Peavy, Ed and Judy Adams, Mary Babin, Ozzie and Theda Neighbours, Randy and Kathy Van Noort, Rick and Carol Pate and Mike and Gwen Coleman. The Park experience would not be the same without these folks who love the park!

Visits to the Park begin at the entrance kiosk with the annual Visitor Guide that provides park history, a park map and information about interpretive and program activities. The Park Association, Friends of Burney Falls, funds the production of the newspaper.

26 canoe trips, funded by the Kelly’s Wishes Foundation and the Association, took nearly 300 visitors on tours of Lake Britton, with opportunities to see turtles, otters, eagles and other abundant bird species. Thanks to the Foundation, we were able to add two new canoes this year, and hope that we can expand the number of these very popular guided trips.

Bird walks are now a regular park activity, thanks to viewing telescopes and binoculars provided by The McConnell Foundation and Kelly’s Wishes Foundation. The local Wintu Audubon Society helped the Park update its bird list, and led a Society walk in the spring. They were just in time to see the arrival of the Black Swifts that nest in the falls, along with warblers, vireos, chickadees, woodpeckers, swallows and mergansers. The park was also hosting an active eagle nest and an osprey nest with two chicks during this late May walk. Organized bird walks served nearly 30 visitors; in addition, ten individuals checked out binoculars for their own exploration and additional visitors used the small bird and native plant library in the Visitor Center.

The Park offers a self-guided Discovery Challenge program, printed in the Visitor Guide. Over 1500 visitors completed the challenge and were awarded the 2018 Discovery Challenge embroidered patch of Burney Falls. In addition, the formal Junior Ranger program offers the opportunity to participate in activities and crafts.

Regular interpretive activities include hikes, crafts, singalongs, interpretingo games and Dutch oven cooking demonstrations. Campfire presentations are as much a part of camping here as marshmallows: 13 campfire evenings included four presentations by Shasta Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation, giving campers a chance to see and learn about live owls, hawks and eagles. This year, Camp Host Ed Adams created a new presentation, StarWatch, giving campers a tour of the heavens through telescopes. StarWatch was held on 5 nights in the summer, but despite its popularity, it was cancelled in August due to the smoke from nearby fires.

Interpretive staff provided ten presentations to school groups who visited the Park during the year. Nearly 500 youngsters walked the trails, explored the plant and animal life, and learned some of the history of the area.

Heritage Day

Nearly 1000 Park visitors enjoyed Heritage Day in October. This community event explores life in the 1870s in the Intermountain area. Local volunteers share their history and expertise with Mountain Man exhibits of tools and implements and opportunities to participate in candle-making, beading, weaving, pine-doll making, cross-cut sawing, branding wood discs, rope-making and target knife-throwing. Attendees made fresh apple juice with a hand-cranked press and helped prepare Dutch oven apple crisp. The day was enlivened with the music of Old Time Fiddlers and wagon rides with Wagon Ponies.

In addition to the individuals who share their skills, the Burney Lions Club, Leos Youth Organization and Rotary Club of Burney-Fall River provided parking assistance, food sales and the staffing of numerous activity booths. Many community folks have been helping put this heritage-themed day on for more than 30 years.

Castle Crags State Park

Castle Crags State Park suffered extensively from nearby wildfires this year, and was closed for many days due to smoke. In addition, park staff were called upon to assist in the fire suppression tasks, and Interstate 5 was closed for an extended period of time.

Despite this shortened time, the Association provided a Visitor Guide to 8000 park visitors. The Park provided 10 evening programs and awarded more than 250 Discovery Patches to campers and day visitors who completed the nature challenge. The remodeled gift store area provided visitors with opportunities to enrich their visit, and the funds from this activity, along with the sale of firewood and recycling, supported the educational and interpretive activities.

Social Media

More than 300,000 visits were logged in to www.BurneyFallsPark.org this year. The web site has continued to add content to support visitor experience in the Park.

Castle Crags State Park now has its own website, established this past year. The site logged 4,000 visits this year. Take a look at the activities and sights at http://www.CastleCragsPark.org

We also publish a periodic e-newsletter to keep our park friends up-to-date on the latest happenings at both Burney Falls and Castle Crags State Park. If you would like to receive the newsletter, please let us know at either web site above.

Financial Report

In spite of the months of fires and smoke that reduced park visitation, we had a very good year. Gross revenues of $89,364 included generous donations from the Delong-Sweet and the Kelly’s Wishes Foundations.

54% percent of 2018 revenue supported:

Interpretive Program expenses (36%)
Administrative costs (5%)
Restricted and rollover funds for 2019 (13%)

46% of 2018 revenue provided purchase of Visitor Center sales merchandise and the firewood production

Distribution of Net Revenues of $47,915

Firewood and Visitor Center Sales provided over half of the net revenue at 61% of funds earned, returning profits of 44% and 38% respectively. Recycling, advertisement sales, donations and foundation grants provided the other remainder revenue.

Distribution of Interpretive Program Expenditures -$31,747

Printing of the Visitor Guides for both parks – 20%
Contribution to Park Interpretive Specialist position – 47%
Supplies for interpretive activities: hikes & canoe excursions, bird walks, campfire talks, discovery Quest Challenge & Junior Ranger and school presentations. – 15%
Volunteer Support for camp hosts and recycling programs – 3%
Heritage Day Festival including activity supplies for candle making, saw bucking and branding, Dutch oven cooking & apple pressing; wagon rides and Old Time Fiddlers. – 10%
Canoe program repair and purchase of new canoes – 5%

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October 8, 2018 · 1:28 am

Heritage Day 2018

Once again it was wonderful to attend the annual Hertage Day at McArthur-Burney Falls Park to get a taste of life in the 1870’s. The event took place on Sunday October 7 from 12-4 p.m.

There were lots of hands on events like black-smithing, hatchet throwing, candle-making, pine-doll crafting, branding, tug-0-war, two-man sawing, and weaving.

Branding

Candle-making

Hit the target

Proud of my pine doll

Tug O War

Two- man saw girl

Fine music was played by various North-State groups from the Old Time Fiddlers Association. Once again I got to listen to one of my favorite groups of performers, The Shooting Stars and friends.

Shooting Stars and Friends

Sons of the Pioneers were there showing guns and implements from the old days and explaining about life on the frontier.

Sons of Pioneers

There was delicious apple crisp prepared fresh in the Dutch Oven and fresh pressed cider from Rotary. The Lions and Lions Auxiliary were there with hamburgers, hot dogs, and other treats.

Apple Crisp for the Dutch Oven

Rotary Cider Press

The Burney Lions Club came early to help direct parking. Leos and Scouts helped to man the events and displays. Lots of volunteers lent a hand to bring the past to life. Parking on Heritage Day was free. The weather was beautiful. In addition to enjoying the fun, the food and the music, many took time to hike the trail and observe the falls. It was awesome!

Heritage Day is sponsored each year by the McArthur-Burney Falls Interpretive Association in partnership with CAL PARKS.

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Filed under Bot Scouts, Burney, Burney Falls, Burney Lions Club, Rotary Club of Burney-Fall River, youth

Tagged as Alex Colvin, Burney, Burney Falls, Folk Music, Lions Club, News, Northern California, Rotary Club, Shasta County

September 29, 2018 · 11:07 pm

Friends of Burney Falls September 2018 (including notice of Heritage Day)

From Catherine Camp

September 2018

FRIENDS OF BURNEY FALLS

Welcome to Fall

The Park’s summer season is ended, and the less busy fall season is upon us. The Interpretive Association celebrated 2018 with a thank-you barbecue for Park staff and camp hosts on September 17. Park staff has put in extra effort this year, as many have been called on to deal with fire in the immediate area and near our sister parks, Shasta State Historic Park. In addition, the Park would not serve visitors as well without the volunteer efforts of our skilled and cheerful camp hosts. They extend the reach of paid staff, and bring a diverse set of histories and talents. We couldn’t do it without them!

Heritage Day Plans

Have you made plans to attend Heritage Day this year? Sunday, October 7, Noon to 4 p.m. Entrance to the Park is free.

Join us for activities reminiscent of the 1870s in this area: Old Time Fiddle music, spinning and weaving, pine bough doll making, calligraphy, candle making, rope making, blacksmithing, branding and practicing with a cross-cut saw. Make some apple cider and taste Dutch oven apple crisp. Food is available for purchase from the Burney Lions Club. Meet community volunteers who lead each of the activities, and their young supporters from the Leos and the Boy Scouts. Plan to camp or to spend the afternoon, but come join us for some Heritage Day fun!

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August 31, 2018 · 6:28 am

FRIENDS OF BURNEY FALLS Volume 5

From Catherine Camp, August 18

Summer Woes

This has been a challenging summer in this part of the world. The Park has not been directly affected by the fires, but they continue to burn all round us.

The most damaging has been the Carr fire, burning near Redding. It has killed seven people, consumed more than 200,000 acres, destroyed 1600 buildings and has created an ecological wasteland that will have a catastrophic impact on the wildlife in the area for years to come. All of us connected to the Park know someone, or several someones, who have lost everything. The biggest impact to most Burney Falls visitors is, of course, the smoke. There is another fire, the Hat fire, which burned to the east of the park near Fall River Mills. It burned nearly 2,000 acres. Its main impact was closure of Highway 299, which is now open, and yet more smoke. The Hirz fire on the McCloud arm of Shasta Lake continues to grow. Finally, a major piece of road work between Burney and the Highway 299/Highway 89 corner has caused significant traffic delays, but is finally finished!

Many of the Park staff were also called into duty when Shasta State Historic Park was caught in the center of the Carr fire. That Park lost a 1920s schoolhouse, and damage to the brewery and cemetery. Thanks to rapid work by staff from surrounding areas, including our own, the important museum collections were secured and removed to safety.

Astronomy Program

We are pleased to announce that thanks to a volunteer camp host, Ed Adams, the “Night Sky” presentation, with large telescopes for viewing the stars has been renewed and brought up to speed. At a test run in early August, Ed’s passion for the subject was palpable and infectious. We stayed for two hours, learning many things about the planets, stars, constellations, moon, history, and meteor showers. Unfortunately, the smoke has limited the program this summer. Ed is currently planning to return next year, so we are hopeful that with the return of clear skies we can look at those galaxies far, far away soon.

Heritage Day

We are beginning to gear up for Heritage Day, Sunday, October 7. Make your plans to join us, including camping and cabin reservations, for good music and good fun.

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June 20, 2018 · 10:14 pm

Weaver and Avocado on the PCT

When my daughter Hana Lyn, who is visiting from Maryland, found out that there is a lady in Burney who sells Mary Kay, she was so happy. She had run out of foundation. So Linda messaged Bobbi Frazier and we arranged to meet at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at the Word of Live Assembly of God (WOLA) for resupply.

When we arrived, the WOLA coffee shop and lobby were buzzing with activity. Bobbi was there and so also were two members of a 4K for Cancer Team running from San Francisco to New York. So while Hana Lyn transacted with Bobbik and got a latte, I spoke briefly with one of the team leaders for the 4K Run, Cheyenne Greenside. Kathy Newton who was organizing hospitality for the runners during their rest stop in Burney, told me that they would be having a barbecue at WOLA that evening and invited me to come take pictures for an article. (See 4K Runners Grateful for Burney Hospitality).

Bon preparing a drink for Weaver at the coffee shop

In the meantime, I noticed several PCT hikers in the coffee shop. Five more hikers were enjoying the hospitality of WOLA. Two of them were heading back to the trail that day and three of them were planning to rest, resupply, and stay for the night.

I managed to chat with the two who were planning to trek on that day.

Rebekah Archer is a charming, thoughtful young lady from Melbourne Australia who is flip-flopping (skip-hiking) the trail. Her trail name is Weaver. She began solo hiking in Campo on April 9. As she hiked through the Southern California desert she made several friends with whom she hiked. Rebekah said she saw a lot of rattlesnakes in the south.

When they reached Lone Pine (Mile 788.8), she chose to skip the Sierras and hike north from Chester. Hiking from Chester to Burney she has seen a lot of deer but no bear yet. I told her she may well see one in this area.

After she passes through the Northern Cascades to Canada she plans to return and hike south through the high Sierras after the snow has melted.

In the midst of her journey north, Rebekah will take two weeks off from the trail to spend time with friends from Australia who are coming for a two week visit in San Francisco. Then she will rejoin the hikers she met earlier in the desert and hike to Canada with them. Rebekah has planned her hike so she can enjoy, the “best of all worlds.”

Avocado from Frankfurt Germany

The second PCT hiker I talked with in the coffee shop was a young thru-hiker from Frankfurt Germany. His trail name is Avocado. He started from Campo on March 28. This is the first time that he has done such a long hike. He has hiked the mountains of Europe but never longer than two weeks.

Avocado said that what impresses him about the PCT is the “diversity of beauty full of extreme contrast” that he has experienced on his journey through the desert, the High Sierras, the Southern Cascades, Hat Creek Ridge, and then descending into the forests of Burney Basin. He is looking forward to seeing Burney Falls, and then passing through Mt. Shasta, into the forests of Oregon and the Northern Cascades in Washington.

Just before leaving Germany for his adventure, Avocado completed his undergraduate degree in sociology from Frankfurt University. As he is walking north through the wilderness, he is pondering whether he should continue his studies or begin his career.

From the point of view of a sociologist, Avocado said that the PCT culture is a “tiny special society.” It is international. There are people of all ages and backgrounds making the journey for varied reasons. There are day hikers, section hikers, through hikers, and hip hoppers. Trail angels support and encourage the hikers and businesses in small rural towns cater to their needs. Rugged outdoor adventure interfaces with hi-tech social media and special PCT apps to facilitate the journey. There is a fluid blending of individualism and group formation that enriches the PCT family. Avacado said that he may write a short paper on it in the future.

He said that he met only one person hiking through the snow in the Sierras without a cell phone. Avocado considers his phone to be not just a means of communication but a safety device insuring location and rescue in case of mishap in a treacherous area.

Weaver relaxes at Burney Falls Park

After talking with Avocado, Hana Lyn, my wife Linda, and I headed to Burney Falls to hike the Loop. While there, we ran into Weaver again, sitting at a picnic table writing in her journal. She was planning to have an ice cream before visiting the falls and heading north.

Hana Lyn, with her new Mary Kay foundation, had several opportunities to snap selfies by the falls and on the bridge over Burney Creek.

Hana Lyn by the lynn at Burney Falls

Selfie on the bridge over Burney Creek

Ah! The best of all worlds!

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June 13, 2018 · 6:47 pm

Kid Fit Inaugural at Washburn-Bue Park

It was a beautiful day at Washburn Bue Park as scores of children, parents, and volunteers turned out for the inaugural event of KID FIT Summer 2018 on Tuesday evening June 12.

Kid Fit is a program that began in 2006 to address the obesity epidemic that was threatening the health of children in our country. The purpose of the program is to promote healthy lifestyle choices for children and families in the Intermountain area.

Kid Fit is organized locally by Shaylene Herndon from Bright Futures, Dana Haugue from Full Fitness Spectrum, and Tri Counties Community Network. Burney High School Senior Hailey Shaver is assisting Shaylene Herndon in the program for her Senior Project.

Organizers prep the kids

Pit River Casino donated $5000 to fund this years Kid Fit events. Additional funds were also provided by Mountain Cruisers and PG&E Employees Funds.

Tough Competition

Activities for the kids included Hula Hoop, tug-a-war, soccer, whiffle ball, jump rope, and lacrosse. Children from toddlers to teens participated.

Having a ball

This little tiger is running a race all his own

Tuesday evening’s kick-off festival at the park was the first of a series of\ events that will take place each week until July 12.

Upcoming events will be:

Tuesday June 19: Burney Falls night hike with free admission to the park.

Tuesday June 26: Family sports night at Bailey Park

Thursday July 5: Family track and field night at Burney High School Football field as one of the opening events for Burney Basin Days

Thursday July 12: Mud race and obstacle source on Bailey Avenue and family swim night at the Raymond Berry Community Pool.

All events begin at 6 p.m. For more information call Shaylene Herndon at 530-335-4600.

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May 7, 2018 · 3:56 am

McArthur-Burney Falls State Park 2018 season opens May 11

From Catherine Camp:

FRIENDS OF BURNEY FALLS
Volume 4

McArthur Burney Falls State Park opens the 2018 season on May 11! Of course, the Park is open year round, and welcomes visitors at any time. But the full staffing, including Visitor Center and the Store open typically this time of year.

We hope your plans include a visit this year!

The remarkably wet spring we have had ensures that the falls are roaring and beautiful. The spring flowers are blooming and the birds are beginning to be heard. The black swifts haven’t yet returned, but they will be flitting in and around the falls soon. This pre-Memorial Day period is an especially lovely time to come, as the crowds are less!

All the trails are open, except for the Lake Trail and the PSEA Trail. Both closures begin at the Rainbow Footbridge and continue north to Lake Britton. The very wet 2016-17 winter destabilized the land supporting the trail, and extensive rerouting is planned but not yet completed. The Falls Loop Trail, the Headwaters Trail and the Cemetery Trail are all open and inviting.

The Friends of Burney Falls and Castle Crags State Parks has completed our 2017 Annual Report. We include specifics about interpretative activities in both parks. We also report on how we spent the revenue we receive from recycling, the sale of firewood and from sales in the Visitor Center, as well as donations. If you would like a copy, reply to this e-mail and we’ll send it to you by mail or on line.

The California State Park system is transitioning to a new reservation system for camp sites. It is now ReserveCalifornia, and the transition has been a little bumpy for some. If you have difficulty making a reservation, call their number at 1-800-444-7275. The on site camp staff do not make reservations after the start of the season.

Friends of Burney Falls is not a political organization. However, we have endorsed Proposition 68 on the June ballot in California. Proposition 68 would authorize $4.1 billion in bonds for park and water projects. Notably for us, it would provide desperately needed funds for deferred maintenance in parks like ours. We encourage those of you in California to look carefully at this proposition.

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October 9, 2017 · 7:19 am

Shooting Stars at Heritage Day 2017

Many talented groups played at Heritage Day throughout the afternoon of October 8 at McArthur-Burney Falls State Park. One group that delighted listeners was a talented quartet of young ladies from Shingletown named Shooting Stars.

The following is a playlist of seven of the songs performed by Shooting Stars. The first song was recorded at a picnic table before they went on stage.

The next six, performed on stage, are accompanied by Nicki Carlisle and backed up by members of the North State Fiddlers (California Old Time Fiddler’s Association District 6) who organized the music for the afternoon.

The four Shooting Stars are named Natalie, Katie, Tahlia, and Helaina. They have been playing together for one year. The two fiddlers are 12 years old and the guitarists are 10 years old. They all have beautiful voices.

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October 9, 2017 · 3:47 am

Pictures of Heritage Day 2017

Heritage Day 2017 on Sunday October 8 was wonderful. The weather was beautiful. Great music! Cider and dutch oven goodies! Wagon rides! Folks dressed up in period costumes. Lots of fun activities from the 1800’s. I’ll let some pictures speak for themselves.