California Trail Weekend – Castle Rocks
Friday, June 16th:
1 pm – 2:30 pm Junior Ranger Pioneer Games
Junior Rangers, come and play old timey games! Games will include “Who Has the Button”, Potato Sack Races, and Tug of War. We will also be making our own buzzsaws and cup and ball toys.
Program presented at the Visitor Center.
10 – 11 pm Dark Night Sky: Past to Present
Experience the dark night sky just as the earliest inhabitants and visitors did. Learn about the importance of dark night sky preservation, view a laser guided tour of the
brightest stars and planets in the cosmos and spend time viewing dark sky objects through provided telescopes and binoculars.
Program will be at Equestrian Parking Lot at Smoky Mountain Campground.
Saturday, June 17th:
Noon – 4 pm – Life on the Trail
Visit an emigrant camp along the California Trail. Learn about life in the 1850s while you stroll along the short trail at the Visitor Center. Demonstrations will include butter making, handkerchief dolls, gold panning, and candle making. This is a drop-in program at the visitor center.
Sunday, June 18th:
10 – 11 am – Pinnacle Pass Hike
Join a ranger-led hike to Pinnacle Pass on the California Trail in City of Rocks. This hike is located on private land and is only open to the public during ranger-led hikes. It is limited to 15 people per hike and registration is required.
Length: approx. 45 mins to 1 hour
Level: Easy with one moderate hill
Noon – 2 pm – The Story Behind the People
Visit with rangers stationed at Camp Rock and Register Rock to learn about the people who left their names along the California Trail in City of Rocks. This is a drop-in program.
3 – 4 pm – Archaeology Hike
Follow a ranger-led hike to important archaeological sites within Castle Rocks State Park. Limited to 15 people per hike and registration is required.
Length: approx. 1 hour
Level: Easy with one moderate hill
7 pm – Special Guest Speaker at Visitor Center.
Ranger-led hikes require pre-registration. Please register at the visitor center (208-824-5901). Hikes are about 1 hour long and are easy to moderate with some slight hills. Families and leashed pets are welcome at all events. Drop-in programs can be visited at any time during scheduled time. Other programs start promptly at scheduled time.