194 replies to this topic

[amazing dave]

how does one get to the Mormon Island ruins?  is it closer to Folsom Point or Brown's Ravine?

[ducky]

how does one get to the Mormon Island ruins?  is it closer to Folsom Point or Brown's Ravine?

 

It's closer to Brown's Ravine.  I think the foundations they've been showing on the news is actually called Red Bank.  

The way we went was maybe a little longer walk, but you go up Green Valley Road to the signal at Sophia Pkwy, turn right and park on the street.  You can use the crosswalks to cross Green Valley Road and get to the trail detour.  Another plus is no entrance fee.  

[Deanna H]

 

It's closer to Brown's Ravine.  I think the foundations they've been showing on the news is actually called Red Bank.  

The way we went was maybe a little longer walk, but you go up Green Valley Road to the signal at Sophia Pkwy, turn right and park on the street.  You can use the crosswalks to cross Green Valley Road and get to the trail detour.  Another plus is no entrance fee.  

Thanks for the info. We were wondering if you still have to pay the parking fee in the off season. This solves that problem.

[nomad]

Brown's Ravine was lined up all the way to Green Valley to get in today and they were charging!

[4thgenFolsomite]

Brown's Ravine was lined up all the way to Green Valley to get in today and they were charging!

wow.  why??

[nomad]

Why was it backed up or why were they charging? Maybe the Parks Dept knew there'd be 100's of folks wanting to see the ruins so they decided to make some $$ off of that?

[4thgenFolsomite]

Why was it backed up or why were they charging? Maybe the Parks Dept knew there'd be 100's of folks wanting to see the ruins so they decided to make some $$ off of that?

I can't believe that many people want to go in and see the old building sites.  They've been exposed before many times.  I guess its just all the media attention.  thanks for answering though.

[ducky]

I can't believe that many people want to go in and see the old building sites.  They've been exposed before many times.  I guess its just all the media attention.  thanks for answering though.

 

I think it's a combination of things.  Yes, these things have been exposed before, but those other years you risked getting your shoes sucked off in the mud trying to trek out to see the foundations.  The lake was low, but it wasn't as dry in November and December and there would be at least a few sprinkles here and there.  Also, it's an excuse to get out and work off some of those Christmas cookies or get a reprieve from the in-laws - not mine, mine are great.

[aztransplant]

Why was it backed up or why were they charging? Maybe the Parks Dept knew there'd be 100's of folks wanting to see the ruins so they decided to make some $$ off of that?

 

Why was it backed up? Probably due to all the media attention lately. Why were they charging? Well, it costs $12 to enter, regardless of time of year. http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=27186

 

Perhaps the State caught on that not everyone has been abiding by the "honor system" of placing their fees in the box when someone isn't there to physically receive it from them, so that's why they were present today? Just a guess (could be wrong).

 

Though the Browns Ravine is operated by a concessionaire, it is still part of the State Park and all State Park fees apply. The entrance station into Browns has a self pay box for the times that no one is at the station. State Annual Passes are sold at the marina office, both during the week and on weekends. The marina office will accept Credit Cards.

 

Or, perhaps after yesterday's news article it was decided that a physical presence needed to be there to ward off people taking souveniers/stealing the uncovered artifacts?

 

http://www.sacbee.co...poses-gold.html

 

 

Preston said people are welcome to come look (parking is $12), but he warned that state and federal laws make it illegal to take the artifacts.

 

“Our primary concern is the safety of the resource and to make sure people aren’t carting off the history,” he said.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.co...l#storylink=cpy

 

 

Again, just a guess.

[4thgenFolsomite]

I think

Why was it backed up? Probably due to all the media attention lately. Why were they charging? Well, it costs $12 to enter, regardless of time of year. http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=27186
 
Perhaps the State caught on that not everyone has been abiding by the "honor system" of placing their fees in the box when someone isn't there to physically receive it from them, so that's why they were present today? Just a guess (could be wrong).
 
Though the Browns Ravine is operated by a concessionaire, it is still part of the State Park and all State Park fees apply. The entrance station into Browns has a self pay box for the times that no one is at the station. State Annual Passes are sold at the marina office, both during the week and on weekends. The marina office will accept Credit Cards.
 
Or, perhaps after yesterday's news article it was decided that a physical presence needed to be there to ward off people taking souveniers/stealing the uncovered artifacts?
 
http://www.sacbee.co...poses-gold.html
 
 
Preston said people are welcome to come look (parking is $12), but he warned that state and federal laws make it illegal to take the artifacts.
 
“Our primary concern is the safety of the resource and to make sure people aren’t carting off the history,” he said.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.co...l#storylink=cpy
 
 
Again, just a guess.

I think you are spot on. They need to protect those arch sites and the media coverage has gone national. Everyone and their uncle wants to get out there with a shovel and a metal detector. It makes me wonder if they are providing security at night.

[ducky]

We didn't see a single person with a metal detector the times we've been out.  There probably wouldn't be much to find since these sites have been exposed so many times over the years: most recently 2007, 2012, 2013.   We saw some old nails and a large spike of some kind, large wire cable.  Like I said, all we left with were photographs. 

 

I would think the metal detector hobbyists would be better off looking for loose change, watches, and jewelry that have been dropped from boats in the popular swimming cove areas that are now exposed.

 

Since this is probably going to be a regular occurrence with the building S50 and tunnels and all, can someone tell me why the higher spots in the lake couldn't be dug out to get more capacity? 

[4thgenFolsomite]

We didn't see a single person with a metal detector the times we've been out.  There probably wouldn't be much to find since these sites have been exposed so many times over the years: most recently 2007, 2012, 2013.   We saw some old nails and a large spike of some kind, large wire cable.  Like I said, all we left with were photographs. 
 
I would think the metal detector hobbyists would be better off looking for loose change, watches, and jewelry that have been dropped from boats in the popular swimming cove areas that are now exposed.
 
Since this is probably going to be a regular occurrence with the building S50 and tunnels and all, can someone tell me why the higher spots in the lake couldn't be dug out to get more capacity?

They are smart enough not to show metal detectors, but you know they want to be using them. They can detect gold too.

As for increasing capacity. You couldn't dig out enough soil to increase capacity in a sufficient amount. There has been work and study done to increase water level, basically raising lake level 10 feet. And of course the Auburn Dam issue will come up again. You still need more rainfall and snowpack though to fill them up.

[cw68]

My husband and I went last weekend and encountered a teen girl walking in with a metal detector. I hope it's not crazy crowded this weekend; would like to go back with the kids and see some foundations. Last weekend we were by the orchard and such.

[Steve Heard]

I was kayaking out there yesterday. There were cars parked all the way to the top of Sophia Parkway, and on side streets near Brown's Ravine.

 

It took us about 10 minutes to drive from the street to parking.

 

Hundreds of people were climbing all over the ruins.

Anyone else have photos?

[SacKen]

I was looking for something else and noticed that Google Maps/Earth imagery for Folsom was updated in August and you can see the old Salmon Falls Bridge emerging.  The river is probably a tiny stream under the bridge today.

 

https://maps.google....002626&t=h&z=19