MALAKOFF DIGGINS STATE PARK LOOP #2
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1,
2011
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
ELEVATION GAIN: Starting elevation -
3400 ft. ---- Slaughter House Trail, gain is 314 ft. ----- Rim Trail, gain is
382 ft. ----- Diggins Loop Trail, gain is 75 ft.
HIKE DISTANCE:
Approximately 8 miles
GENERAL LOCATION: Malakoff Diggins State Park is
26 miles north of Nevada City.
DESCRIPTION: Hiking at Malakoff Diggins
is an experience to remember --- for several reasons. Sadly, the Park is on the
California State Park closure list, but luckily hiking is still open to the
public. Gold was discovered in the area in 1851 and hydraulic mining began in
1853. Hydraulic mining was the process of washing away entire mountains to find
gold and at Malakoff a visitor can see the devastating results of such mining.
An open pit is the heart of the park and is over a mile in length and up to 600
feet deep. In its day Malakoff Diggins had become the largest and richest
hydraulic gold mine in the world. Millions of gold were recovered from the main
pit as well as smaller pits. Today one can see how the nature is recovering
from the devastation. There is so much to see and appreciate by visiting and
hiking at Malakoff!
At the beginning of our hike we will stop at the
historic cemetery, and then hike 6/10th of a mile up the Slaughter House Trail
to the now closed campground and view the open pit from an overlook. From there
we will hike the Rim Trail (3.29 miles), enjoying the forested environment,
until we reach the highest overlook in the Park. Finishing the Rim Trail, we
hike a short distance on a road to reach the beginning of the Diggins Loop
Trail. This loop trail traverses the interior of the pit so that a hiker can
see the sculpted mountainsides up close. This hike will allow you to enjoy the
many diverse sights and environments at Malakoff. Bring your camera to capture
some memorable pictures!
TRAVEL TIME/DISTANCE: 1 hour & 45 minutes
driving time and 75 miles one way. Return time to Lincoln ---- approximately
5:00 pm. A donation of $9 is suggested for riders. There is an $8 parking fee
per car, payable at the Park office, or a California State Park pass can be
used in lieu of money. If you have such a pass and plan to either drive or
ride, please consider bringing it --- thank you!
HIKE LEADER: Sue
Geisler SWEEP: Penny Williams
SPECIAL NOTES:
FACILITIES:
Bathroom at the Park, near the office.
PREPARATION FOR HIKE: 1) IF YOU
HAVE ANY HEALTH ISSUES, PLEASE CONSIDER YOUR CONDITION BEFORE PREPARATION FOR
HIKING.
2) Bring a copy of your ID (driver's license), health card,
and an emergency contact name and phone number with you on the hike.
3) Always bring 2 pairs of shoes, along with a plastic bag to store your
muddy/dusty hiking boots after the hike. DO NOT get your driver's car dirty by
wearing your dirty boots on the drive home.
4) Bring lunch, water,
hiking boots (not tennis shoes), warm clothing, if cold, and trekking poles for
traversing some small streams in the open pit. Wear LONG PANTS and a long
sleeved shirt or jacket as we hike through some bushy areas in the pit.
5) Lunch --- there is no great place to sit for lunch, so bring a large
plastic bag which you can use to sit on the ground.
RISKS: Poison oak, but
easy to avoid. Depending on the amount of rain, the pit may have several wet
areas and/or small streams. As the Park trails are no longer maintained, the
trail in the pit has some bushy areas --- but they are easy to walk through.
RAIN CANCELS HIKE ---- and the hike will be rescheduled at a later date.
QUESTIONS: Call Sue Geisler at 408-1010.
MEETING TIME: 7:15
AM LEAVING TIME: 7:30 AM
DRIVING DIRECTIONS: Drive Hwy. 80 east to
Auburn. Take the Grass Valley/Placerville -- Hwy. 49 exit --- and turn left
toward Grass Valley. Remain on Hwy. 49 to Nevada City ---- and at the split of
Hwy. 49 and Hwy. 20 (at the north end of Nevada City), turn left onto Hwy. 49
--- sign will say "Toward Downeville"! DO NOT GO STRAIGHT AHEAD ---- as you
will be on Hwy. 20!! Continue driving Hwy. 49 for 11 miles. Watch CAREFULLY!
for the sign to Malakoff Diggins and Tyler-Foote Crossing Road ----- which is a
turn to the right. Follow the pavement for 17 miles ---- the road name will
change to Cruzon Grade, then to Backbone, and finally a right turn onto Derbec
Road and into the Park
Sue's cell phone is (916) 212-1818 --- but there
is no cell coverage in the Park!
See attached photos.
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