Rafting, boating, fishing and hiking: Here's how to keep your distance close to Colfax

California is blessed with a tremendous diversity of outdoor beauty and destinations. Today is the right day to learn to love what's nearby. Enjoy outdoor activities that allow social distancing and ways to refresh, rejuvenate and re-create a calmer state of mind close to home: Rafting The American River gives a thrill in the great outdoors, and rafting tour companies have adapted their guided experience to accommodate COVID-19. At American Whitewater Expeditions, guides are wearing face coverings, though face coverings for households on the same raft are not mandatory. With side-to-side rafts, distancing is almost 7 feet, providing social distancing while having a great outdoor experience. American Whitewater also requires face coverings and mandatory hand sanitizing for its buses. Visit www.americanwhitewater.com. Boating and fishing Rollins and Scotts Flat lakes are now open to boaters, with beach, camping and day-use facilities also open. The NID Recreation boat launch also is open daily from dawn until dusk. Please watch for details at nidwater.com/recreation/. Hiking Hiking and mild walks look more inviting than ever. Just outside of Colfax is one of the most popular trails in Placer County – the Stevens Trail is accessible just off Interstate 80. Beginning conveniently at a parking area on N. Canyon Way just north of Colfax, it is simultaneously easy to access and wild, making it a popular hike. Stevens is a varied trail with oak woodlands, shale, a historic mine shaft and even a view of Cape Horn, an early and critical section of the Transcontinental Railroad largely built by Chinese laborers. At the bottom of the trail, hikers are rewarded with stunning emerald pools of the North Fork of the American River and a cool dip in the summer. Visit Placer describes this trail as 3.2 miles out, with time doubling for the 3.2-mile return. Stevens Trail is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. (Note: Not suggested for small children or dogs, as the hike back can be demanding.) Visit https://www.visitplacer.com/discover/stevens-trail/. Finish with a great meal Finish your day outdoors with a tasty treat – whether take-out, dine-in or an outdoor table. Try a special made-to-order wood-fired pizza at Il Pizzaiolo (ilpizzaiolocolfax.com) or check out street tacos at Homie Joe's on North Canyon way in Colfax (www.homiejoestacostogo.com). See a full list of local restaurants at colfaxchamber.com. For more information, visit California State Parks at https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=30355.