33 members and guests of the Villages Hiking Club recently spent three glorious days in the gold country exploring beautiful Jenkinson and environs. Jenkinson Lake is a reservoir constructed as part of the American River Division of the Central Valley Project to provide irrigation water to a portion of El Dorado County, California. The dam was begun on May 1953 and was completed in mid 1955. Surrounding the lake is Sly Park with facilities for all year outdoor activities. Upon arrival they took a short but lovely hike beside a running stream to become acclimated with the altitude. That evening all were invited to partake of a delicious dinner at the rented cabin of gracious hosts and members Mike and Trish Warfield. The next day a small group went off to explore the high country while the rest spent the day hiking around Jenkinson Lake enjoying the great scenery and hiking to a real jewel, a wonderful waterfall. During the day one group encountered a reenactment of the wagon train journey some 160 years ago. That evening all celebrated their good fortune with a delicious meal at 50 Grand Steak House, a well known local restaurant.
