A writer from the Bee goes walking with Steve Evans, author of “Top Trails: Sacramento.” They’re checking out the Cosumnes River Preserve.

“The preserve is a great example of what the pre- European Central Valley used to look like,” Evans said. “It’s nearly pristine, yet next to a major metropolitan area. Other than the slight droning you hear from (Interstate 5), you feel like you’re walking back in time.”

That was the mood of the day in February as Evans, a veteran conservationist, led and lectured our party of six during a stroll along the River Walk and Wetlands Walk trails, four miles in all. This is a fine hike for birders – the preserve is home to 250 species of migrating birds – and families. The time to visit is now, while the weather is mild and many species of migratory birds are in residence. The trails are flat and wander through ever-changing terrain guaranteed to keep the interest level high. As Evans put it, “Not everybody wants to hike 10 miles at 5,000 feet.”

Flat hiking? Who’d a thunk? Rest of the story here. More on the river preserve here.