06/19/2025
Yuba Librans,
With great collective pleasure, we will be gathering together over the 4th of July at Yuba Libre: July 3 - 6.
Please join us in co-creating a convivial gathering away from the city and its 4th of July shenanigans and noise! Instead, be immersed in natural beauty, enjoy gorgeous river fun, group BBQ's, and participate in our collective visioning of YL's future. May it be a time to nourish and regenerate ourselves and the land in powerful reciprocal ways. With the third year in a row of above average winter snowfall and moderate spring/summer weather, the land remains lush. Indeed, over Memorial Day weekend the river was still flowing very high. So the July 4 gathering promises to be a great time for river swimming with a seasonal lowering of river levels but still with an abundance of fresh water flows for this time of year. Also, sleep like a baby under the quiet stars and enjoy cocktail hour on our new deck with a view of the river. For those inclined there is a special opportunity led by Matt Berry and LisaRuth Elliot to artistically replaster and adorn a few areas needing attention in our bathhouse. This should be truly fun and wonderful!
River Magic: Many folks will hike down to our gorgeous, road-free Miracle Mile on the South Yuba each day of the gathering. River conditions look promising for excellent swimming and water frolic!
Gathering will be from Thursday afternoon July 3 to Sunday evening July 6. Everyone is welcome to visit during all or any portion of that time. If you plan to join please register here.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-5LcdVbfsqlqto984rJkxcGpN74cbgr4nWL1mVh9R81icDA/viewform
It is about a 3 hour drive from the Bay Area in normal traffic; driving between 2-7pm on Thursday can put you in hellish traffic.
Each morning we’ll make and eat breakfast together in the yurt. After breakfast we’ll discuss activities and timing for that day. This is the one planned group time in which everyone can ask questions and share ideas about the Yuba Libre project, its history, and plans for the future.
Work projects: Revel in the camaraderie with friends tending this gorgeous land we're collectively stewarding. No previous experience needed. Please bring sensible work clothes, close-toed shoes and work gloves if you have them. Sweat your prayers! This is 100% voluntary and no one is required to do anything. But if you feel so inclined, we will help you to help us collectively enhance the Yuba Libre infrastructure and ecology. As mentioned earlier, Matt Berry and LisaRuth Elliot will lead an artistic re-plastering of a few areas needing attention in our bathhouse.
Be prepared for the hike to the river: It’s a pleasant 45-60 minute downhill hike from our land, mostly moderate but with a couple of long, steep descents at the end, but quite strenuous on the way back since it’s all uphill. The hike can be shortened if enough high-clearance vehicles are willing to drive down to the parking area, but there’s still a very steep, 20-minute walk from the cars down to the river, and it gets longer and steeper on the way back up. Either way, the hike requires proper walking shoes with good traction; hiking sticks are also recommended. Bring a daypack, sun protection and plenty of water.
Each evening we’ll have a potluck barbecue at top camp. Bring something to throw on the barbie, vegetarian salads, and sides are always welcome, and there’s always more than enough sausage.
Food Storage: There’s no refrigerator at Yuba Libre so you will need to bring your own cooler and ice to keep your food cold. When it’s warm out, you’ll need a lot of ice.
Please pay $25-$50 (sliding scale) per adult per night. You can put cash in the jar or pay via Venmo . Another option, especially if you want to help financially sustain Yuba Libre, is to become a Member of Yuba Libre with a monthly recurring donation of $10-30 or more. To join, go to yubalibre.org and click on the Donate button.
Thank you to everyone who has joined the stewardship group so far, you have really helped put Yuba Libre on a more sustainable financial footing!
To the river!
Jessica and Michael, on behalf of the Yuba Libre board
Yuba Libre! is a dynamic, evolving community of Northern California artists, activists, and ecologists who find inspiration in the life cycle of salmon and the bioregional connections of our local watersheds. We promote an artful back-and-forth integration from the headwaters of the Yuba River to wh...
