Mar Det Trail
Miles 4.8; Moderate; Elevations: 2220’-2940’; No motorized vehicles
...trail begins in the heart of the Traverse Creek Botanical Area...
...ties to several trail options for continuing deeper into the Rock Creek Area.
DESCRIPTION:
Mar Det was built to connect from a pleasant base camp site along Traverse Creek and then climb northeast to a ridge above Rock Creek and thereby provides non-motorized access to the Rock Creek Recreational Trails Area. The trail begins in the heart of the Traverse Creek Botanical Area that offers a unique ecosystem due to its concentration of heavy-metal-traventine-soils. Here the sparse foothills’ forest cover of scraggly Gray Pine changes from oaks to Ponderosa Pines in cooler, more moist areas. The hearty, adaptive plants that live here are specific to a serpentine environment.
Spring bursts open with lustrous “pink Lewisia” and the more subtle “evening snow” found on sandy areas. California bay is plentiful and distinctly pungent. Although not the common variety found in kitchen spices, this native can be used as a bargain-priced seasoning. I commonly pick a few leaves for my pocket and later use in the kitchen. “Shrub oaks” with its varied collection of unique oak species transition from stark serpentine soil to the richer soils normally associated with Sierra Nevada forests.
For this reason, the Mar Det Trail is at its best within the first half-mile of the Trailhead. In fact, undesignated, user trails that branch off and wind back to the parking area in easy one-mile loops are the most popular.
The Mar Det was built through cooperation of a California Marine Detachment and was designed to give equestrian users a pleasant and spacious base camp to ride uphill into the Rock Creek Area. After leaving the Botanical Area, the trail moderately climbs as it rather gently (especially for a horse) rolls up and down heading northeast to the trail’s end. The landscape is pleasantly forested with mostly young pines and selection-cut harvesting has been used commonly. The eastern trailhead lies south of Grey Eagle Hill near the Darling Ridge Road and ties to several trail options for continuing deeper into the Rock Creek Area. Continuing North on the FS’s H1 trail after a few miles the trails connect to the popular Dru Barner Equestrian Campground.
The Traverse Creek Trailhead offers several picnic tables, ample parking, and an informative and colorful sign interpreting the site.
In short, after the first half-mile, the trail is a pleasant, year-round opportunity to exercise the legs, lung, and soul while letting the brain nap.
DIRECTIONS:
To Mar Det Trail
From Georgetown, follow Highway 193 south for 3.5 miles to Meadowbrook Road and turn east. Follow this county road for about 1 mile. The Trailhead access road is well-signed and takes off to the left (east) where it quickly ends alongside Traverse Creek.
ACTIVITIES:
Equestrian Trail Riding (Rating: Best)
Keep in mind this trail is easily accessed year-round with a short drive from Georgetown. Parking is ample and picnic tables are provided. Grade is comparatively easy for a horse. Scenery is typical of foothills terrain. And the lack of grand views will not be distracting.
Mountain Biking (Rating: Good)
The grade is good—with a moderate 700’ climb in over 4 miles. The trail is fairly new and well built; so the tread offers good trail riding. Perhaps its best attraction is based on the fact that it links to other trails in the Rock Creek Recreational Trail Area in the Darling Ridge Road area. Given this road’s easy access, most riders prefer to drive up to the ridge instead of using the Mar Det to pump their way up to the top.
Hiking: Dayhikes (Rating: Good)
Pleasant hike, but after leaving the Botanical Area, the experience is best used to promote exercise. However, the fact that this is low elevation, foothills country, the trail is available year-round. In fact, due to hot days, summer is the least popular time.
