The Best of the Independence Trails

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

DIFFICULTY:   Moderate because of the length, otherwise Easy

ELEVATION GAIN: Negligible, mostly level @ 1500’

HIKE DISTANCE:  6.5 miles

GENERAL LOCATION: South Yuba River State Park, East of Nevada City on Highway 49

DESCRIPTION:  We will be combining the best of the Independence Trail – West with the Independence Trail – East.  Both Independence trails are the country’s very first wheelchair accessible wilderness trail.  The trails began as the Excelsior Canal, built in 1859 to carry water for hydraulic gold mining operations and is thus quite level.  For much of the shaded trails, you can walk in the ditch or on the parallel maintainer’s path above.  In many areas, wooden trestles were used to carry water across the ravines.  Today, they have been rebuilt to carry hikers.  Last year was the 150^th anniversary of the Excelsior Canal. 

 We will head out 2.2 miles on the East trail among the woodlands to a couple of amazing overlooks of the South Yuba River to include the Miners’ Tunnel.  After returning on the same route, we will take a pedestrian tunnel under CA 49 and proceed 1 mile to Rush Creek on the West trail.  We will lunch at a delightful spot on the Rush Creek switchback at Flume 28 before returning to the trailhead.  Expect to be back to SCLH by 3:00 pm.

TRAVEL TIME/DISTANCE:  Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes one way – 50 miles (a $9 driver donation).

HIKE LEADER/SWEEP:   Vern Luke/TBA

SPECIAL NOTES:

FACILITIES AVAILABLE:  Porta potties at trailhead
PREPARATION FOR HIKE:  Refer to #8 and #9 in the ‘Hike Information and Guidelines’ available on the website.  Bring plenty of water and snacks / lunch.
RISKS:  Some poison oak along trail and the occasional tick
QUESTIONS:  Vern Luke: 253.3711

PARKING:  We will stop at a relatively small pull-off just past the trailhead parking.  See driving directions below.

MEETING TIME:  8:15 AM Orchard Creek Lot.  Leaving time: 8:30 AM
 

DIRECTIONS TO TRAILHEAD:

 SCLH to I-80 East to Auburn.  Take CA 49 toward Grass Valley through Nevada City.  CA 49 takes a left turn to the West on the northern outskirts of Nevada City while CA 20 continues on straight ahead.  Use the left lane to continue on CA 49 toward Downieville for approximately 6 miles.  Signs will highlight the trailhead parking on the right to include a sign for handicapped parking.  Go to the NEXT pull-off and park.  This parking area has easily identifiable wooden stairs to the trail.  Note:  When leaving, be careful of the traffic on CA 49.  Continue on CA 49 to the parking area approximately 1 mile ahead to turn around.  U-turns are not allowed from the parking area back toward the direction we came.  Please bring a copy of these directions if you can drive.