The Best of the Independence Trails
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
DIFFICULTY: Easy
ELEVATION GAIN: Negligible, mostly level @ 1500’
HIKE DISTANCE: Approx. 4.5 miles
GENERAL LOCATION: South Yuba River State Park, East of Nevada City on CA 49
DESCRIPTION:
We will be combining the best of the Independence Trail – West with the
Independence Trail – East. The 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
maintenance path above. In many areas, wooden trestles were used
to carry water across the ravines. Today, they have been rebuilt
to carry hikers. 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. After returning on the same route, we will take a
pedestrian tunnel under CA 49 (Watch your head) and proceed 1 mile to
Rush Creek on the West trail. Expect to be back to SCLH by 2:00 pm.
TRAVEL TIME/DISTANCE: Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes one way – 50 miles (a $9 driver donation).
HIKE LEADER/SWEEP: Gary Adams /sweep TBD
SPECIAL NOTES:
FACILITIES AVAILABLE: Porta-potties at trailhead
PREPARATION FOR HIKE: Refer to Hike Information and Guidelines on the website. If you are new to the hiking group, go to the web site (http://lincolnhillshikers.org)
and read the Key Information for First Time Hikers. You can
download and print the SCLH Waiver Form. Read, sign the form and
bring it to the hike with you. If you are ready to join the
Hiking Group, there is a link with the information about joining.
1) If you have any health issues, consider your condition before 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 suitable bag to store your muddy/dusty hiking boots after the hike.
4)
Bring lunch or a snack and water. Trekking poles are not absolutely
necessary but will be useful for balance and minor climbs.
5) Please remember to stay behind the hike leader and ahead of the sweep during the hike.
RISKS:
Some poison oak along the trail and an occasional tick. Don’t
touch the California Newt lizards because their skin is toxic.
QUESTIONS: Gary Adams/409-5802
MEETING TIME: 8:15 AM Orchard Creek Lot. Leaving time: 8:30 AM
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
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