Author: Marisue Cody

Ten rambler hikers went to Alum Rock Park for a 4-mile hike. The Sycamore Switchback trail is a bit beyond the scope of rambler’s comfort zone, but everyone made the 600-foot elevation with a good pace. We enjoyed beautiful views of valley and hills. When walking back along the Penitencia Creek, we passed by the ruins of mineral spring pools, which were main attractions to tourists many years ago. Still, we can smell the sulfur than comes out from the cracks of mountain rocks. John and Mimi led the hike.

Three hearty hikers braved the rain, wind and cold, to hike the hill today. An interesting city view was seen on the way up. One hiker only went up part way due to a time constraint. The other two made it to the top in the fog. L-R: Gordon Carbonetti and Bob Bogdanoff at the socked in hilltop with a cow between us in the foggy distance. Not pictured was Dan Kato.

Gordon Carbonetti and John Zhang led a group of eleven hikers to Pinnacles National Park on Thursday, October 30, 2025. L-R Kris Carlsen, John Zhang, Joan Cheung, Mira Dytko, Mimi Rong, Al Girolami, Marty Funcell, Tim Robinson, Matt Cheung and Gigi Clarke, with Gordon behind the camera. It was a tough, nearly 6-mile hike with incredible views. Tim, Kris and Gordon even made it thru the caves near the end of the hike. (See more pictures under photos of past events.)

Nine Villagers hiked to the top of our Hill on a beautiful, clear Wednesday morning. L-R, Julian, Amy, Jim, Dan, Deb, Monona, Mira and Bob, with Gordon behind the camera. 

The 2025 Fall Outing was in the Placerville-Coloma area October 21-23. Twenty-eight Villagers and three non-resident guests participated.

Jim Ware and John Petrin led a warm-up arrival hike to the old train trestle on the El Dorado Trail. Jim was involved in the trestle’s refurbishment which he shared with us. Sandy Petrin organized the welcome reception at the hotel, and Helen Ware arranged the dessert of delicious Hiker Cookies.

The second day, Gordon Carbonetti led a 4-mile hike along the Monroe Ridge Trail in the James Marshall Gold Discovery Historic Park in Coloma. Marshall discovered gold at Sutter’s Mill in 1848, which started the California gold rush in 1849. The trail had a 500 ft elevation gain and gave us wonderful views of the American River below. The trail also took us to the James Marshall Monument where he is buried. We finished up hiking back down to the Coloma town site where we saw the original site of Sutter’s Mill and a replica of the original saw mill. We also visited the Gold Discover Museum, and saw old mining equipment, buildings and ruins, including a large grinding rock area.

The group dinner followed that evening in Pollack Pines at the Sportsman Hall restaurant, which is an old Pony Express stop. John Petrin recommended the restaurant and helped organize the meal menu.

The last day, on the way back to the Villages, some people went shopping on Placerville’s historic downtown Main Street, before traveling to Apple Hill to visit farms and ranches selling produce and delicious pies for the holiday season. Others made a meal stop at historic Poor Reds Bar-B-Q and bar, which has been in business since 1860.

Everyone enjoyed the trip and adventure, and all made it safely back to the Villages.