Dick Hagerty: Timing’s perfect to visit Grasslands Park

Those of us who love the outdoors, especially hiking in the Sierra, are always looking for winter opportunities for stretching our legs and enjoying nature without fighting snow and similar elements. Such an opportunity is available close by, and you will encounter few others when you enjoy this outing.

A recent drive through the parks along the Highway 165 corridor rewarded us with wonderful views of waterfowl and an abundance of hawks and other raptors.

The sandhill cranes are on full display right now, along with thousands of other migratory birds that regularly make their winter homes in our local Great Valley Grasslands State Park and the adjacent San Luis National Wildlife Refuge, due south from Turlock and east of Gustine.

The great thing about this string of parks is that they are absolutely free to visit – no admission charges. What makes it extra special is the proximity to all of Stanislaus and Merced counties. From Modesto, it’s an easy 45-minute drive to the heart of the area.

We were fortunate to visit on a day when the almond trees had just come into full bloom.

Whether you are a hiker or just a casual observer from your vehicle, there is plenty to see and enjoy. At each of the different areas there are trails, some just abandoned levee roads and others on well-designed boardwalks and bridges across various sloughs and marshland.

There are several loop roads that start at the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge, just north of Los Banos. There you will find a modern visitors center, restrooms, drinking water and access to roads and trailheads.

One road takes you on a loop around a herd of tule elk, which are protected and confined behind a high, sturdy wire fence. There is an observation platform near a parking lot so that you can get out and view these amazing animals.

Another loop road takes you far out into the marshes and waterways; that is where we saw the sandhill cranes. First we saw dozens of these giant birds at a great distance, then suddenly around a bend in the road a half dozen stood right next to the roadway giving us a rare and close-up view of these great birds.

A word of warning: the cranes are nearing the end of their winter migratory rest stop here in our valley and will soon be departing for areas as far away as Canada, not to return until next winter. In fact, these rare birds only winter in a few locations in the United States. Many in Florida and south Arizona, and some right here in our backyard.

When we last visited the grasslands, exactly two years ago, the director of the parks was very concerned that the drought might have long-term effects on the protected areas, which are all dependent on year-round water. As a federal protected area, these grasslands have some rights to water out of the Shasta system, and some flows in from the nearby San Joaquin River, but in a dry year the amount of water can be greatly diminished.

The good news is that the area has survived the drought and, at least for now, the marshes and sloughs are brim-full of water.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the day was the utter lack of visitors in the entire area. We spent an entire holiday morning, stopping off at three different parks, and encountered only two other cars with folks enjoying the outing. Parking lots totally empty, roads and trails in utter silence.

It’s a shame to waste such a perfect opportunity for an educational and refreshing outing close to home, with no fees and no hassle.

If you go, be sure to bring your binoculars (forgot mine, duhhh) walking shoes and a camera. You will not be disappointed.

This story was originally published February 26, 2016 at 10:06 PM with the headline "Dick Hagerty: Timing’s perfect to visit Grasslands Park."