AND MORE... Detailed directions and information for these trails and many more are available on the Bear Yuba Land Trust website( bylt. org) and the Truckee-Donner Land Trust website( tdlandtrust. org) unless otherwise indicated.
TRAIL DIFFICULTY LEVEL
● Easy ■ Moderate ◆ Difficult
A Walk in the Parks
Nevada County is rich in historic state parks.
TRUCKEE / DONNER
● Donner State Park: 2.5 miles of trails around the lake and through areas of park. GRASS VALLEY / NEVADA CITY
● Buttermilk Bend Trail: See previous page.
● ■ Empire Mine Trails: 14 miles of scenic trails. Historic buildings, mining machinery, gold mining points of interest.
● Diggins Loop Trail: 2.78 miles.( no dogs / bikes). malakoffdigginsstatepark. org
● ■ Humbug Trail: 2.72 miles one way to river. Uphill return. malakoffdigginsstatepark. org
Steeped in History
GRASS VALLEY / NEVADA CITY
● Buttermilk Bend Trail: See previous page. southyubariverstatepark. org
■ Deer Creek Tribute Trail: See previous page.
● ■ Deer Creek Environs Trails: 1.5 mile loop.
● ■ Empire Mine Trails: 14 total miles of trails. Historic buildings, mining machinery, gold mining points of interest.
● Hirschman Trail: See previous page.
● Independence Trail West: See previous pages. southyubariverstatepark. org
● Independence Trail East: 2.2 miles( each way). Wheelchair accessible 1.5 miles. southyubariverstatepark. org TRUCKEE / DONNER
■ Donner Summit Canyon Trail: 6-mile loop follows original Dutch Flat / Donner Lake wagon road. Petroglyphs, history, views.
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Stop and Smell the Wildflowers
GRASS VALLEY / NEVADA CITY
● Buttermilk Bend Trail: See previous page. southyubariverstatepark. org
● Kenny Ranch / Wildflower Ridge Trail: Full loop 2.6 miles. TRUCKEE / DONNER
■ Frog Lake Overlook Trail: 5.8 miles round trip. 1581 ft. elevation gain. onthesummit. net
■ Hike to Coldstream Meadow:( from Mt. Lola trailhead.) 3 miles one way.
● Lacey Valley Trail: 3 miles one way from TDLT Lacey Meadows parking area. Wildflowers, birds.
● Loney Meadow Interpretive Trail: 1 mile loop. Wildflower viewing, birding.
● Sagehen Creek Trail: See previous page. Tahoe National Forest north of Truckee.
Horsing Around
GRASS VALLEY / NEVADA CITY
● ■ Empire Mine Trails: empiremine. org / trails
● ■ ◆ Pioneer Trail: 25-miles. Several trailheads. outstanding views. Popular for hiking and mountain biking also. TRUCKEE
■ Donner Lake Rim Trail: 11 miles completed( 23 miles upon completion).
Born to Run
GRASS VALLEY / NEVADA CITY
● ■ Pioneer Trail on Hwy 20: 25 miles.
■ ◆ South Yuba Edwards Crossing to Purdon Crossing Trail: 9 miles round trip. Downstream along Yuba River
● ■ Humbug Trail: 2.72 miles one way to river. Uphill return.
● ■ Scott’ s Flat Trail: 4.5 miles one way. Flat at first then switchbacks down to Scott’ s Flat Lake. TRUCKEE / DONNER
■ Commemorative Overland Emigrant Trail: 7.5 miles one way. Flat.
◆ Hole in the Ground Trail: 7.8 miles one way. Views
● Truckee River Legacy Trail: See previous page.
Canal Trails
Flat, often shady and cool walks along the historic canals.
GRASS VALLEY / NEVADA CITY
● Cascade Canal Trail: 4.5 miles one way. Best access from Gracie Road parking area, Nevada City. Shady, level.
● Kenny Ranch / Wildflower Ridge Trail: Full loop 2.6 miles.
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Wheelchair Access
These trails provide decent access roads, close parking, relatively flat dirt / paved trails and views of the meadows or rivers / creeks with little work required.
GRASS VALLEY / NEVADA CITY
● Independence Trail West & East: Wheelchair accessible( dry months) from the trailhead 1.5 miles each way from trailhead.
● Hirschman Trail: See previous page. southyubariverstatepark. org
TRUCKEE / DONNER
● Truckee River Legacy Trail: See previous page.
● Lacey Meadows / Webber Lake: 3 miles one way from TDLT Lacey Meadows parking area. Wildflowers, birds.
In the Neighborhood
Easy, pleasant walks in or very close to the towns.
GRASS VALLEY / NEVADA CITY
● Deer Creek Tribute Trail: See previous page.
● Hirschman Trail: 2.4 miles. Pond, oak woodlands, pines, grasslands. Nevada City.
● Litton Trail: 2 miles one way. Grass Valley.
● Narrow Gauge Trail: Entire trail including unofficial“ use” section: 1.7 miles. Chicago Park.
● Sugarloaf Mountain Trail:. 5 mile one way. 365 degree views of downtown Nevada City.
● ■ Empire Mine Trails: 14 miles of scenic trails. Historic buildings, mining machinery, gold mining points of interest. Grass Valley. TRUCKEE / DONNER
● Truckee River Legacy Trail: See previous page.
Kid Friendly / Short & Sweet
GRASS VALLEY / NEVADA CITY
● Sierra Discovery Trail: 1 mile loop, Flat. Restrooms, information kiosks, water, small picnic area.
● Rock Creek Nature Trail: 1 mile loop along Rock Creek. Restrooms, water, small picnic area.
● Omega Diggings Overlook Trail. 0.3 mile loop. Omega Rest Area, Hwy 20, 18 miles east of Nevada City. TRUCKEE / DONNER
● Glacier Meadow Loop Interpretive
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Trail:. 5 mile loop. Pacific Crest Trail parking area near Boreal Ski Area.
● Boca Townsite Interpretive Trail:. 5 mile loop. Hirschdale exit off Interstate 80 east of Truckee.
● Loney Meadow Interpretive Trail. 1 mile loop. Wildflower viewing, great birding, flat.
● Perazzo Meadows Interpretive Trail. 1 mile loop. Wildflowers, birds.
Bird Walks
TRUCKEE / DONNER
● Lacey Valley Trail: 3 miles one way from Lacey Meadows parking area. 100 species of birds.
● Loney Meadow Interpretive Trail: 1 mile loop. Wildflower viewing, birding.
Into the Wild
RECREATION For the more adventurous who want to escape to a more pristine environment with spectacular terrain.
GRASS VALLEY / NEVADA CITY
■ Blue Lake Trail: 1.5 miles. Begins at Rucker Lake, intersects Grouse Ridge and Byers Lake Trail.
■ Round Lake Trail: 2.25 miles. Begins at Carr-Feeley Campground. arounddonnersummit. com
● Island Lake Trail: 1 mile begins at Carr-Feeley Campground. arounddonnersummit. com
TRUCKEE / DONNER
● ■ ◆ Donner Lake Rim Trail: Various points of entry. 11 miles completed. Spectacular views.
■ Lower Lola Montez: 6.4 mile round trip. Lightly used, out and back. Great views and beautiful lake.
■ Mount Judah Loop: 5.5 miles. Mt Judah & Donner Peak. Stunning views. Family friendly.
● ■ Summit Lake: 4.7 mile loop near Soda Springs( off the Pacific Crest Trail).
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