MOTHER LODE TRAILS
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Volunteer
  • Links
    • Law Enforcement Emergency
    • Federal, State, County Districts Parks & Trails
    • Running Clubs
    • Equestrian Clubs
    • Mt. Bike Clubs
    • Hiking Clubs
    • Trail Advocacy Organizations
    • Phone Numbers State & Federal Parks, Trails & Lands
    • Where to Eat on the Trails
  • News
  • Alerts

Prime places to pedal in Nevada County

7/9/2016

 
Picture
Nevada City has long been known as a popular mountain bike destination in California. The quaint city is part of a mountain bike utopia, bordering Tahoe and Auburn-Forest Hill, and home to several famous cross country and downhill racers, such as Mason Bond and Robin Farina.
Trail builders and bikers flock to the area, honing their skills and creating many amazing trails. While many of those trails are geared towards intermediate or advanced riders, there are a number of trails that are suited for beginners.
A good place for beginners to explore is Hirschman’s Pond. At 5 miles in and back, the fun, easy trail is located just outside of Nevada City along Highway 49. The smooth, winding paths are ideal for novices, with a few narrower trail sections and switchbacks allowing riders to get comfortable in technical uphill and downhill settings. A tree canopy covers most of the path, providing shade during warm weather. The trail passes around a small pond with benches and resting areas, perfect for stopping and eating lunch. The pond is a nature preserve and is great for spotting birds. Unfortunately, no swimming is allowed. Continuing on, riders meander down another two miles to the trail end. From there they can turn around and go back up the trail to the parking lot.
A short ways away from Hirschman’s Pond is the Tribute Trail. Completed in 2011, Tribute is a multi-use trail that is popular with bikers, runners, and hikers alike. It has similar smooth, nontechnical paths as Hirschman’s Pond, but with a bit more climbing included. The trail runs alongside Deer Creek in Nevada City with a few access points to the creek available along the way. During hot summer days, Deer Creek is perfect for taking a short swim. The path itself is mostly a mixture of gravel and dirt until it passes over the short suspension bridge. The bridge and the accompanying picnic spot are prime places to rest, have lunch, or take photos. At the suspension bridge, the Tribute Trail leads into a mild, dirt climb, allowing beginners to get comfortable with different types of biking challenges, such as steeper ascents, rocks, tighter switchbacks, and tree roots. Depending on the route a rider takes, the trail can range from 3.6 to 8.6 miles. It pops out into downtown Nevada City, allowing riders to have easy access to restaurants or parking. Throughout the trail there are markers that guide hikers or bikers in the right direction and provide historical information about the local Nisenan Native Americans.
Neither Hirschman’s Pond or the Tribute Trail offer restrooms or water stations, so remember to bring your own supplies.
“[Hirschman’s and Tribute] are good beginning trails,” said Chris McGovern, owner of Real Wheels bike shop in Nevada City. “There’s plenty of space to get comfortable with your new bike or beginning skills, and to share the trail with other trail users.”
Centered around Grass Valley proper are several easier trails, ideal for novice riders. One of the most popular beginner trails in Grass Valley is Empire Mine. Established in 1975 as a State Park from the ruins of an old mine, the park features many smooth, swooping trails that allow novices to get comfortable on their bikes. Two parking lots on East Empire Street allow easy access to an abundance of trails, ranging from 0.5 miles to 4 miles in length. The paths themselves are generally wide and easy to maneuver, with plenty of places to stop and rest. Empire Mine does feature a few more challenging trails, with some rocky and rooted ascents and descents. Its green forests keep the trails cool in the summer and it has many benches and alcoves to picnic in—but beware the poison oak in spring, summer, and fall. Empire Mine offers restrooms and water fountains at the main parking lot.
Real Wheels and Tour of Nevada City bike shops in Nevada City can help beginner riders set up their bikes, get gear, or find trails to ride. They sell local trail maps and can also provide suggestions for trails based on a rider’s ability.
For more information about trails or biking in Nevada County, visit MotherLodeTrails.org, bylt.org or bonc.org.

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

Comments are closed.

    Trail News

    Visit this page for all of the latest Trail News that affects our area.

    Archives

    February 2025
    August 2024
    September 2023
    June 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    November 2021
    October 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Home
Contact
 Mother Lode Trails is YOUR local volunteer-run trail information and resource website. Here you can find
up-to-the minute information on trail alerts, links and trail news for Placer,  Yuba, and Nevada counties.
Mother Lode Trails is trademarked.