Heart K Ranch Interpretive Hike
June 18, 2012 by: Sharon Roberts
June 23, 2012
View of Heart K Ranch by Bud Turner
Tour the Heart K Ranch from the perspective of Trina Cunningham, who is part of a Maidu family that lived on the Ranch for several generations. She is also a member of the Maidu Summit Consortium composed of representatives from nine Mountain Maidu groups, with a vision of site protection and stewardship throughout the Maidu homeland shared by the hike sponsor, the Feather River Land Trust.
To take the hike with Ms. Cunningham, meet at the Heart K Ranch house at 10 a.m. and be sure to bring lunch and water. The Heart K Ranch is approximately 15 miles from the intersection of Highway 89 and A22 (aka the Taylorsville “T”). Follow A22 to Taylorsville (5 miles) and bear right onto Genesee Road for 9 miles until you see the big red barn on the left. Parking is available to the left of the ranch house. The Ranch is located at 702 Beckwourth Genesee Road in Taylorsville, California. The Heart K Ranch is about 45 minutes from St. Bernard Lodge.
This unique interpretive hike will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on June 23rd 2012. and is designed to increase awareness about Maidu history and culture. The Feather River Land Trust is a private, non-profit organization founded by residents of the Feather River region. There is no charge; however the Feather River Land Trust will be gladly accepting donations.
If you cannot make this date the Ranch house will be open again on July 4th from 12- 5pm after the Taylorsville 4th of July parade. The grounds are open to the public to enjoy a picnic or hike for day use at anytime.
Conservation of Heart K Ranch
Barn at Heart K Ranch
To prevent this historic property from being sold into private ownership that would have limited opportunities for restoration and public access, the Feather River Land Trust purchased Heart K Ranch in 2006 with generous funding from the Northern Sierra Partnership, the Wildlife Conservation Board, and hundreds of individual supporters. This 884 acre ranch in Genesse Valley supports 26 species and is one of the most species-diverse properties in the Feather River Watershed.
For more information on the Heart K Ranch and the Feather River Land Trust please check the following sites: Northearn Sierra Partnerships, Heart K Maidu Culture Hike, and Feather River Land Trust.
The area is of great importance to the local Mountain Maidu. Taylor Lake is one of three lakes sacred to these native people and the property remains a valuable gathering site for Maidu families today. From the Mountain Maidu to the settlers that followed, the productive bottomlands and forests provided essential resources, establishing a long history of people’s connection to this land. Heart K Ranch also provides important services to all Californians, like clean drinking water, carbon sequestration, and diverse recreational activities.