Independence Trail – East:
Independence Trail lazily follows gold-mining-era Excelsior South Yuba Canal. Well below, the South Yuba River churns and dives rapidly towards Bridgeport and the North Yuba River. Yet, this trail hangs above the canyon at a super-gentle grade following the historic canal. Gold Rush, hand-constructed rockworks along the ditch walls are intriguing. Historic flumes now reconstructed as hiking bridges, awesome.
The trailhead makes a logical split near the center of the reconstructed trail. This gives you an option to go east upriver or west downriver (Independence Trail – West), both at gentle gradients. Each segment shares the same historic base, but survives today with their own personality. Do both, one a day or two, or again and again. Even each season. And only minutes from Nevada City / Grass Valley.
Historic flumes now reconstructed as hiking bridges, awesome.
...suspended around moss covered rock bluffs and ends at a shady spot with benches set to view the South Yuba River below.
DESCRIPTION:
1.7 miles, gentle, elevations: 1480’-1440’ west, 1½ hours, no bikes or motorized vehicles, except wheelchairs; dogs on leash.
Just as the western segment of the Independence Trail, the trail east features several rebuilt, wooden flumes now serving as photogenic bridges. At 0.7 mile east, the approximately 200 feet long rebuilt flume #18 has been damaged by runoff that caved a segment in. A sign posted at the Trailhead predicted the flume would not be fixed by “2009 earliest likely.” Until it is repaired, this is the end of wheelchair access or even decent access for everyone but those sure of foot. Users and volunteers have hacked and worn a trail paralleling the flume that is not steep, but has poor footing in places.
Beyond there is my favorite reconstructed flume on the eastern segment. It is suspended around moss covered rock bluffs and ends at a shady spot with benches set to view the South Yuba River below. Rest, mellow out, and enjoy.
At about 1.3 miles the ditch line crosses the Excelsior Ditch Camp/Augustine Road that drops to the river after it forks to provide access to both ends of the Miners’ Tunnel. At a maximum, the road intersection is the end of useable wheelchair accessible trail. This segment to here is ADA rated “difficult.”
Hikers can continue maybe 1/3 mile until the ditch line has been washed out. After another ¼ mile the ditch line has been totally wiped out at Devils Slide. Beyond that the original ditch drops in a short distance to the River where the takeout began.
At the Independence Trail Crossing. Augustine 4WD Road drops about 250’ elevation to Miners Ditch and provides a pleasant side trip offering places for dipping, cooling, picture taking and lunch spots. The old road forks shortly below the ditch. Turn right, up river, to the pool at the head of Miners Ditch. Across the South Yuba is the end of the Hoyt Crossing Hiking Trail where the historic ford had been used as an historic crossing. From the fork, the left road meets the river above the tunnel’s outlet. It takes a scramble to find that end of the tunnel.
Mountain bikers can use the Augustine Road to dive, dive, dive off Cement Hill Road above Nevada City. The 6-miles drop 1800 feet and the only option to ride out is to climb, climb, climb back up the challenge referred to as “Augustine Agony.” In the words of Zachi Anderson, Mountain Bike Guide: “After a swim, attempt to climb out.” In short, hikers won’t have much company.
DIRECTIONS:
To Independence Trail – East:
6 miles north of Nevada City via Highway 49 at trailhead 1.0 mile before the South Yuba River Bridge. The trailhead serves both the West and East segments. Vault toilet. Bulletin board with map and helpful information.
A second parking area just around the curve from the first and original parking area has been developed. Wooden steps take you up to the trail. Wheelchairs must use the original parking.
ACTIVITIES:
Mountain Biking (Rating: Prohibited)
OHV - Motorcycles (Rating: Prohibited)
Motorized wheelchairs ok.
Hiking: Dayhikes (Rating: Exceptional)
For a year-round casual stroll or hearty wheelchair trek, this is one of the best. Gentle, historic canal with Gold Rush era rockworks and grand flumes. Definitely family friendly. Closed to mountain bikes or motorized trail bikes.
