Six miles from Nevada City you will find a glorious nature trail that is equally suited to hikers, small children and people in wheelchairs!  It dates back to the gold mining days of the 1860’s when a group of miners created the Excelsior Ditch as a way to funnel water for their hydraulic mining.  In 1969 a museum docent had the vision of using these abandoned rock lined ditches, pathways and wooden bridges as the perfect pathway to enable the wheelchair bound to hike on a level wilderness trail.

The trail starts at Hwy. 49, where there is limited parking along the side of the road, shortly before the South Yuba River bridge.  As the trail follows its original course you have the option to take the West trail which is 2.3 miles or head East for about the same distance.  As this is not a circular route you have to retrace your steps when you are ready to leave.  Rest rooms are located at the start of the trail and a couple of outhouses are provided along the trail.

As you walk the pathway you will notice you cross many bridges.  These are actually water troughs - called flumes - that were built so the water would cross the ravines.  About 1 mile down the East trail is a very impressive series of “crib work” flumes that zigzag down to a creek.  Here many benches are provided making it a great place to stop, rest and have lunch.  Picnic tables are also dotted along the pathway at many of the picturesque overlooks, enabling you to rest or eat whilst taking in the view! As there are no retail outlets within walking distance be sure to bring a picnic to allow yourself to fully enjoy the trail.

A key attraction of this trail is the beauty of relatively untouched natural wilderness entangled with a fascinating piece of mining history. Once you leave behind any road noise from Hwy.49 you quickly are able to take in the sound of the birds and the gurgle of waterfalls.  Slow down your pace and really look around to see the beauty and variety of wildflowers, plants and trees.  Look for signs of wildlife, bird nests in trees, the owl’s home in a dead tree along the route or the resident newts that populate this area.

The trail is open year round. It is free although donations are always welcome.  If going in a larger group reservations are not necessary but if you call ahead a docent may be available to guide you through your walk and provide fascinating information on the way. Dogs on leashes are welcome.  Please be considerate to others and, it goes without saying, never leave behind trash. Additionally, don’t be tempted to pick wildflowers or walk off the paths, as you will undoubtedly find poison oak!

I really enjoyed walking on the Independence Trail.  It’s a great way to see nature without having to scale a mountain, scramble through scrub or consult the compass!  Walking the flumes gives a real sense of the gold mining history in this area and of the enormous efforts that were put into their construction.  A real highlight for adults and kids was to find so many salamanders that were just lying by the side of the trail, sunning themselves on rocks and swimming in the creek.  As a place to take all the family, whether in strollers, wheelchairs, toddlers or grandparents, the Independence Trail provides an ideal location and a great day out.

For more information :

South Yuba River Independence Trail
PO Box 3166
Grass Valley CA95945
Telephone: 530 477 4788
Website: South Yuba State Park http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=496

Photo courtesy Yuba State Park Website
©2007 Jane Haworth