MOTHER LODE TRAILS

Self guided hikes with the Wild and Scenic Film Festival

1/19/2021

During the festival, normally held at Grass Valley and Nevada City, there are many events other than just films. This year, in addition to a virtual festival, there are local hikes with "help." These self-guided excursions are to help you keep the “Wild” in Wild & Scenic. While these hikes are for Nevada County, CA we encourage you to go get outside and explore wherever you may be!

1. Scenic Highway 49 from Nevada City to Sierra City

Heading toward Sierra City on Highway 49, you will cross the stunning, emerald south fork of the Yuba, a state-designated Wild & Scenic river canyon.
Continuing on to cross the middle fork at Oregon Creek Day-Use Area.
As you slowly climb in elevation, Highway 49 catches up to the north fork of the Yuba River, where you’ll find plenty of small parks and pull-offs along the way with breathtaking views of the river canyon where you can be sure to stay socially distant.

2. Hiking for Good presents Connect with Nature on the Hirschman Trail

Just a short one-mile walk from downtown Nevada City, Hirschman Trail is an easy to moderate forested adventure found in the Deer Creek Watershed.
Now teeming with wildlife, the trail’s showpiece is Hirschman Pond, created by hydraulic mining during the Gold Rush.

CLICK HERE for the PDF file guide

3. Explore Tahoe National Forest

If you head up Highway 20, just past Harmony Ridge you’ll enter the Tahoe National Forest.
The Pioneer Trail runs parallel along Highway 20 through a beautiful canopy of trees. Look for pull outs on the left side of the highway all the way to Conservation Camp Road. There’s plenty of flat space to stretch your legs and find solitude in the forest. Continue upward to find parks with 180-degree scenic views of the Sierra Nevadas.

4. It’s All Newt to Me: A Self-Guided Orientation to Amphibians of the Yuba

While most people spend their hikes facing forward, look down for a change and discover the world of amphibians.
Explore the Yuba Watershed from the eyes of frogs and salamanders on easy trails near Nevada City.
This self-guided excursion is supplemented by materials from avid herper Shannon Hedge to teach you about the wonders of these animals at your feet.

Click Here for the PDF guide

5. Importance of Nisenan Voice in Our CommunityThe Deer Creek Tribute Trail is a great opportunity for community education and outreach. The Nisenan Cultural Reclamation Corridor along Deer Creek will connect two points of the Tribute Trail. Wolf Creek in Grass Valley also offers educational opportunities through interpretive signage. Nevada City Rancheria Tribal Spokesperson Shelly Covert will discuss the visibility the trails have brought to the Tribe as well as the critical importance of connecting people with nature.

CLICK HERE to see the Wild and Scenic Film Festival Excursions webpage.

Exploring Hidden Falls with Mary West

1/8/2021

Now is the time to check out the trails that are either too crowded or too hot later in spring and summer. Hidden Falls Regional Park in Placer County is not a spur of the moment trip. Hidden Falls requires a reservation you can get online.

The green meadows and flowing creeks make this regional park a gem in Placer County in winter. The trails are well maintained, the bridges and decks are handsome and sturdy. The variety of trails will keep you going back again and again.

You may have heard parking is difficult. Yes, if you go after 10 a.m. the parking lot fills up quickly. I suggest going early or late. On my last trek, I went in the afternoon and I was able to park in the middle of the main lot and the light for photography was amazing.

I would encourage you to choose a hike while the weather is still mild. I have hiked the area several times and in the heat of summer. The grasses are dry and much of the trail is exposed to direct sun, making for a hot day. The payoff is finding a nice swimming hole along Coon creek.

This is a heavily trafficked area. The easy to moderate trails make it great for families and those who are looking for a shorter outing. If you get beyond the inner trails that lead to the falls, such as River Otter Loop, you leave the crowds and have more of the trail to yourself.

These are multi-use trails so expect to share the path with mountain bikes and horses. And don’t be surprised if you see grazing cattle or sheep too.

To get to Hidden Falls from Interstate 80, head north on Highway 49 toward Grass Valley. Turn left on Palm Ave to Mount Vernon to 7587 Mears Place, Auburn. If you are coming from Grass Valley you could take Joeger or Atwood Roads to Mount Vernon to Mears Place.

With 1,200-acres to wander, follow a route that looks like fun and enjoy.

Mary West is author of the book series Day Hiker – Gold Country Trail Guide I, II and III (Available on Amazon). The books are a collection of the Day Hiker columns where West shares her longtime love of the outdoors, favorite hikes in Northern California’s Gold Country and beyond. West was the recipient of the 2017 and 2019 CRAFT Award for Best Outdoor Column and the 2020 Craft Award for her second book in the series-Day Hiker Gold Country Trail Guide by the Outdoor Writers of California. You can follow West on Facebook and Instagram.

CLICK HERE to see complete article and more photos in The Union newspaper.

Helen Harvey recognized as Gold Country Trails Council 2020 Top Hand

12/11/2020

Annually, the 400+ equestrian members of Gold Country Trails Council (GCTC) vote on a volunteer to recognize his or her special contribution working on the trails. This year, GCTC past president Helen Harvey was chosen for her considerable efforts during these challenging times.
A special physically-distanced ceremony was held Saturday at the Gold Country Equestrian Trailhead to present this special annual award.
The nonprofit Gold Country Trails Council was formed in 1981 by a group of Nevada County citizens to fill the need for non-motorized trails in Nevada County. The Council also provides construction and maintenance of equestrian campgrounds, construction and maintenance of trails and staging areas, and provides maps and trail educational materials.
CLICK HERE to see Gold Country Trails Council's website, calendar, maps, news.

In spite of the pandemic and record trail use, the 2020 GCTC Top Hand recipient, Helen Harvey, created conditions where volunteers can work safely, implemented COVID-19 policies, created the new trail volunteer recognition awards, and led the GCTC Tahoe National Forest Mounted Patrol.
CLICK HERE to see the original article in The Union newspaper.

Mary West: Exploring the American Canyon Trail

11/26/2020

American Canyon Trail is where the mushrooms grow in thick moss carpets along the creek in winter. The variety of butterflies and wildflowers are worth the four-mile hike in spring. The color display in fall makes a return trip a must.
The trail leads to a jungle like setting at the bottom with a flowing creek, boulders and hanging vines.
Wide enough for two to walk side by side, the trail is lush with ferns in winter and wild grape vines in summer. A thick area of mint, in its season, begs you to pick a leaf or two. Be aware that poison oak and blackberry vines crowd the trail in many areas. Snails and lizards also call this area home so make sure you look beneath your feet as well as up to the canopy of trees to get the full effect of this trail.
At the bottom of the 1.7-mile trail, you find Hobokin Creek. Water cascades over boulders and fallen trees. The trail continues across the creek, so depending on your schedule, you can continue your trek to Dead Truck, Ruck-A-Chucky, Dru Barner and Western States Trails, among other destinations.
The trail leads to a jungle like setting at the bottom with a flowing creek, boulders and hanging vines.
The two-mile hike to Dead Truck from the trail head is a gentle downhill stroll on a well-maintained trail. As you walk deeper in, the trees seem taller and vines hang more densely.
In winter the ferns grow all along the canyon wall. The moss on the trees is heavy with rainwater. You can hear the rush of the creek below.
At the first switchback, you find a sign reading several trail options. Turn away from the sign and continue down the switchback. After a couple of short switchbacks, you will come to a similar sign. Instead of turning on the switchback look at the sign straight ahead of you on the trail. This sign will show Dead Truck 1-mile. Your journey will continue deeper into the woods with the sound of Canyon Creek keeping you company along the way.
Soon you come to Canyon Creek with Hobokin Creek right behind it. I can in no way encourage you to cross these creeks if you do not feel confident doing so. This is a lovely spot to pull up a rock and listen to the gentle babbling of the creek over stones as it continues downstream.
The trail narrows in places. Downed trees and hanging branches may be hurdles along the way. Wet leaves and slick mud are also common hazards.
At 1.9-miles, you reach another sign, showing you at the foot of Dead Truck Trail marked STEEP.
Facing the sign, turn 180 degrees and you will see a footpath over to the creek and a cliff face blanketed in green in the wet season. Take the path and you can hear the falls get louder the closer you get. Shuffle down to the pool below. Again, I cannot suggest you cross the creek this last time, but the view of the falls is from the other side. When the water is low, there are exposed rocks, but with heavier flows, a crossing can be treacherous.
If you choose to cross you earn the prize of a view of the waterfall. Once you have enjoyed the falls, the pool and the peace and quiet of this trail, prepare for your return.
The two-mile hike out is moderate due to the uphill climb back to gate 3. Take your time, drink plenty of water, watch for slugs and newts in the wet season.
Take care crossing the creeks and before you know it, you will hear the cars coming into the gate and your adventure will be at its end.
To get to American Canyon Trail take Interstate 80 to the Elm Street exit in Auburn toward Placerville. Follow Highway 49 into the Canyon from Placer County into El Dorado County and out to the town of Cool.
At the stop sign in Cool turn left on Highway 193. Drive five miles to Pilgrim Way. Turn left to gate three of Auburn Lake Trails. Just before the gate you see room for three or four cars on your right. Park and you see the trail sign marking the trailhead.
----
Mary West is author of the book series Day Hiker – Gold Country Trail Guide. The books are a collection of the Day Hiker columns where West shares her longtime love of the outdoors, and favorite hikes in Northern California’s Gold Country and beyond. West was the recipient of the 2017 and 2019 CRAFT Award for Best Outdoor Column and the 2020 Craft Award for Day Hiker-Gold Country Trail Guide II by the Outdoor Writers of California. You can follow West on Facebook and Instagram.

CLICK HERE to see the complete article and all the photos in The Union newspaper.

Mary West: Exploring the Yuba Rim Trail

11/12/2020

The Bear Yuba Land Trust (BYLT) has succeeded again in providing a great opportunity to get us outside on a trail with outstanding views of the Yuba River environs. The Yuba Rim Trail in Yuba County takes us out 2.3 miles and up 750 feet to a nice view of the confluence of the north and middle forks of the Yuba River. I have to strain to see the river below, but the canyon views are fantastic. This moderate hike begins near Dobbins in Yuba County, not far from the Bullards Bar reservoir and Dam. The area across the street from the quarry provides ample parking. The large sign marking the trail head identifies this as the Rice’s Crossing Preserve.

New signage at the trailhead makes locating this trail much easier. Head out behind the signs and look to the left for a great view of the canyon to begin your trek. A new gazebo makes a nice break at the end of the trail to enjoy the view before you depart.

Follow the trail into the woods. The shade on this trail makes for nice autumn color hiking. Some vegetation clearing around power lines opens the area before you return to denser woods. The well-marked path leads to a sturdy bridge. Above the bridge we counted 10 switchbacks that get you out to a logging road. Continue uphill. Just when you think you have crested the last hill, keep going. Look for another area sending you back downhill along the rim of the canyon. The moderate effort this trail demands pays off in a nice rock outcropping and a beautiful sunset view of the canyon in winter.
The elevation provides a mixed conifer forest. This area has a wide variety of trees and attracts many birds for bird watchers. The trail is dog and bike friendly. The moderate effort this trail demands pays off in a nice rock outcropping and a beautiful sunset view of the canyon in winter.

On our last visit, we got a late start. As the sun went down, we felt the need to make more noise and hasten our pace. This is mountain lion habitat as well as bear.

To get there take Marysville Road off Highway 20. Look for the old quarry on your right and the trailhead on your left.
----
Mary West is author of the book series Day Hiker – Gold Country Trail Guide. The books are a collection of the Day Hiker columns where West shares her longtime love of the outdoors, and favorite hikes in Northern California’s Gold Country and beyond. West was the recipient of the 2017 and 2019 CRAFT Award for Best Outdoor Column and the 2020 Craft Award for Day Hiker-Gold Country Trail Guide II by the Outdoor Writers of California. You can follow West on Facebook and Instagram.

CLICK HERE to see the original article and photos in The Union newspaper.

State Parks recommends Nevada City’s Sugarloaf Mountain Trail to receive $216,411 for new trail

11/3/2020

SACRAMENTO, Calif. November 2, 2020 – California State Parks today announced recommendations for $5.6 million in funding for eight local non-motorized trail projects under the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Recreational Trails Program (RTP). Funding from this program helps improve the quality of life for the nation’s communities by providing access for all to the outdoors. The list of recommended non-motorized RTP projects for California includes:

Sugarloaf Mountain Trail: $216,411 City of Nevada City Construct approximately one mile of new trail and a parking lot within Nevada City.

The RTP provides funds to the states to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for non-motorized and motorized recreational trail uses. The federal Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act Authorization provides funding for the program. Eligible applicants include cities, counties, districts, state agencies, federal agencies, and non-profit organizations with management responsibilities of public lands.

Here are the other projects in California:
Bridge to Beach: $900,000 East Bay Regional Park District Develop and extend the San Francisco Bay Trail in the City of Richmond. Construct approximately 1.25 miles of trail along the shoreline between the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge and the Point Molate Beach Park.
Strawberry Rock Redwood Forest Trail Acquisition: $400,000 Trinidad Coastal Land Trust Acquire an approximately 45-acre conservation easement of mature forest of second-growth Redwood near the town of Trinidad in Humboldt County.
La Sierra Public Access Project: $1,328,800
Mountains Restoration Trust
Acquire an approximately 74.82 acre parcel to create the new La Sierra Watershed Public Access in the Santa Monica Mountains northwest of Los Angeles.
Azalea Hill Trail Restoration: $700,000 Marin Municipal Water District Develop Phase III of the Azalea Hill Trail in the Mt. Tamalpais Watershed. Construct approximately 6,400 linear feet of new multi-use trail, a new bridge, retaining wall, causeway, armored rock crossings, and a kiosk, as well as directional and educational signage.
Natural Parkland Trails Project: $1,560,000 City of Highland Construct two miles of new trail, interpretive signage, outdoor education presentation area, culvert canyon crossings, trail head with parking lot and renovate 10,450 linear feet of trail.
Gateway Phase 2 Trail Project – Learning Zone: $104,000 USDA United States Forest Service Shasta-Trinity Construct approximately 9.5 miles of multi-use, non-motorized beginner and intermediate trails.
Harmon Canyon Trail Development: $458,348 Ventura Land Trust Construct approximately five miles of new multi-use recreational trails within the Harmon Canyon Preserve in the County of Ventura.

The Office of Grants and Local Services for State Parks conducted a competitive review process and recommended these projects to receive the grants. Eligible non-motorized projects include land acquisition for recreational trails and recreational trail corridors; and, development, or rehabilitation of trails, trailside, and trailhead facilities. The program requires a minimum 12 percent match derived from local sponsors and state funds. FHWA must approve project recommendations before State Parks can execute grant agreements with these local agencies.

Prior to forwarding these projects to FHWA, each recommended project must comply with the National Historical Preservation Act of 1966 (Section 106), National Environmental Policy Act and be listed on the State Transportation Improvement Plan. Compliance with these requirements can take up to nine months to complete.

After the local sponsors complete the three federal requirements listed above, applications are sent to FHWA for its final review. There is a 30-day final approval window once FHWA receives the applications from California State Parks.

CLICK HERE to see the original article in YubaNet.com.

New Forest Supervisor selected for Lake Tahoe Basin

10/24/2020

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif., Oct. 23, 2020 –
The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) is pleased to announce that William “Bill” Jackson has been selected as the new Forest Supervisor for the Lake Tahoe Basin. Jackson is scheduled to arrive at the LTBMU on Dec. 6, 2020, and comes to us from the White River National Forest in Colorado, where he served as the District Ranger for the Dillon Ranger District.
“I’m excited to share the news that we have selected a new Forest Supervisor for the Tahoe Basin,” said Acting Forest Supervisor, Danelle D. Harrison. “Bill has an extensive background in land management, and I can’t think of anyone better qualified to lead our Forest Family.”
Prior to his position on the Dillon Ranger District, Jackson served as the District Ranger for the Manchester Ranger District on the Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont. He also served on the Pike, San Isabel, Grand Mesa Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests and Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands.
Jackson earned a Natural Resource Management degree from North Carolina State and joined the Peace Corps in Honduras for two years, where he helped promote ecotourism and environmental education. After the Peace Corps, he attended graduate school at Colorado State University, where he studied natural resource management, recreation and tourism.
Jackson replaces Jeff Marsolais who accepted a position with the Eldorado National Forest in mid-June 2020.

Contact(s): Public Affairs, Lisa Herron 530-721-3898

To see original press release from the USFS, click here.

Exploring the Old Flume Trail

10/24/2020

The Old Flume Trail (Red Shack Trail) just outside of Placerville in El Dorado County is a history lesson as well as an excellent trek to the South Fork of the American River. The trail has been there since its inception in 1900, of course, but the new parking area built by the Bureau of Land Management makes parking safer, and access easier.

The trail was a road to the river. This road crosses the historic ditch that moved water from Placerville to the ranches in the Gold Hill area. You can read about George and John Luce who managed the flume from 1920 to 1924. The wooden flume is believed to be the tallest in the county at 153 feet and running 750 feet between the ridges. The flume is gone, but the land was gifted to the American River Conservancy in 1999 for our enjoyment.

The trail is wide, but I would call this moderate to difficult depending on your fitness level due to the steep drop into the canyon — about 800 feet in less than a mile. Worth every step when you find yourself rock hopping out to a quiet location just below Racehouse Bend rapid on the South Fork.
It took me a half hour to get from the parking lot to the river. I stopped to check out some spur trails along the way. But it took me nearly an hour to return to the parking lot due to the steep grade. Take your time, take breaks if needed and drink plenty of water.

The trail is wide, but I would call this moderate to difficult depending on your fitness level due to the steep drop into the canyon — about 800 feet in less than a mile. Worth every step when you find yourself rock hopping out to a quiet location just below Racehouse Bend rapid on the South Fork.
This is a beautiful in an out trail, less than a mile one way, with a stunning payoff at the halfway point. My most recent hike on a cool and sunny day showed off the lush moss on the trees as green ferns unfurled along the canyon walls and a couple of kayakers floating by.

To get there from Auburn head out on Highway 49 South toward Cool. Continue toward Placerville. As you make your way through the canyon, about four miles north of Placerville, look for Red Shack Road on the right. The trail head is directly across the street. Red Shack is a nice stop after your adventure for pulled pork sandwiches or apple pie when open.
----------------
Mary West is author of the book series Day Hiker – The Gold Country Trail Guides. A collection of Day Hiker columns from 2016-2020 (Available on Amazon) where West shares her longtime love of the outdoors, and favorite hikes in Northern California’s Gold Country and beyond. West was the recipient of the 2017 and 2019 CRAFT Award for Best Outdoor Column by the Outdoor Writers of California. You can follow West on Facebook and Instagram.

CLICK HERE to see the complete article in The Union newspaper.

Southern Cross Preserve finds its forever home with Tahoe National Forest

10/15/2020

From Bear Yuba Land Trust today, "We’re happy to announce that Southern Cross Preserve has been transferred to US Forest Service ownership, where it will join the rest of the Tahoe National Forest! This beautiful preserve is located on the North Fork American River. The public Euchre Bar Trail runs through the property and provides excellent views of the river.

If you look at a map of the Tahoe National Forest, you’ll notice that it looks like a “checkerboard” of public and private property. This unusual pattern has its roots in 19th-century federal land policy and the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad north of Lake Tahoe. The resulting “patchwork quilt” of public and private lands can create challenges for land management and public recreation. By permanently protecting private lands within the “checkerboard” and transferring them to the USFS, we can help expand the Tahoe National Forest and fill in the gaps.

“This project was especially cool because it's a great model — we work with the landowner to secure a complex land deal, then transfer it to public ownership,” says Placer Land Trust Conservation Director Lynnette Batt. “It adds more land to the Tahoe National Forest, which is a popular and important landscape in the Sierra. And importantly, selling land to the USFS allows us to cover our costs, and to ‘pay it forward’ to our future land protection projects. We are grateful to the USFS for being great partners.”

To learn more about Southern Cross Preserve and this transfer project with USFS, CLICK HERE.

Mary West: Hiking Loch Leven Trail

10/11/2020

Loch Leven Trail is a moderate to difficult hike with more than a one thousand-foot elevation change over a 3.5-mile trail to the first lake in the Loch Leven chain of lakes in the Tahoe National Forest.
To get there take Interstate 80 east to the Rainbow Bend exit. Take a left onto Hampshire Rocks Road. Drive up just past the Tahoe National Forest fire station to the trailhead parking lot. An information board and restrooms are located here. The sign marking the trailhead is directly across the street.

The trail begins with granite boulders. Under foot are rocks, roots, ruts, sand, decomposed granite and decomposed trees. Wear sturdy shoes and take those trekking poles they may come in handy.
Around you are boulders, colossal pine trees, views of surrounding mountain peaks, and the lakes. One very prominent peak is Red Mountain, also known as Signal Peak. The first landmark are the railroad tracks. Other highlights of the trail include the yellow aspen in fall. You skirt a pond that is more of a bog by September until the rains return. A wooden bridge leads into a cool shaded area briefly before the climb continues. Level areas give you a chance to catch your breath before forging on. A few of the volunteer trails can lead you astray. Stay on track. Other highlights of the trail include the yellow aspen in fall. You skirt a pond that is more of a bog by September until the rains return.

Once you reach the lake, find your spot to settle in and get your shoes off, a snack will be in order. If you have time and the inclination, more lakes await you as well as Cherry Peak trail three miles out from the trailhead. The great thing about Loch Leven Trail is that the return trip to the trail head is mostly downhill.

Loch Leven Trail is a moderately trafficked trail and dogs are welcome. Take plenty of water. Plenty of sun exposure on this trail so you may want a hat, glasses and sunblock.

Mary West is author of the book series Day Hiker – Gold Country Trail Guides (Available on Amazon). The books are a collection of the Day Hiker columns where West shares her longtime love of the outdoors, and favorite hikes in Northern California’s Gold Country and beyond. West was the recipient of the 2018 and 2019 CRAFT Award for Best Outdoor Column by the Outdoor Writers of California. You can follow West on Facebook and Instagram.

To read the original article and see photos in The Union newspaper, CLICK HERE.

<<Previous