Ridge Trail

This link within the South Yuba River system will be a big step up once completed. It will tie the Bowman Lake Road near Camp 19 and near Grouse Ridge Area to the bottom canyon of the South Yuba at the mouth of Canyon Creek and Golden Quartz Picnic Area. Volunteers began construction in 2000 with hopeful completion summer 2003. In 2002, most of the trail following an historic wagon road was barely discernable through the brush coming in after a wildfire and is noticeably absent blazes or usable tread. If you go before construction is complete, do it for the adventure, not a routine hike. Take topographic maps although it is unmarked on U.S. Geological Service quad maps.  Prepare to bushwhack until you get above the recent wildfire and logging that left a mess. Views are among the best of the South Yuba, top to bottom especially upriver into the wildest gorge along the river’s entire length. And that’s bragging rights. For a neat loop option return down the Doolittle Trail about midway up to the Bowman Road. The Doolittle intersection is not signed nor was it marked in 2002 in anyway. But as Doolittle angles down through a small opening adjacent to several large Ponderosa Pines it’s easy enough to find if you’re experienced.   If you drop down the Doolittle Trail (see options), head on up the Ridge Trail for ¼ mile to a group of rocks that afford great views through what is mostly dense timber. To the north are Canyon Creek and the Artic Mine. To the south and east is the rugged South Yuba. Note: the new construction will bring the trail down the ridge to the Maybert Road and will avoid private property. We’ll let you know when it’s available. No motorized vehicles.

To Ridge Trail

Topographic Map: Blue Canyon. Park on the Maybert Road at the sign for the Golden Quartz Picnic Area. Walk upriver continuing on the Maybert Road that is now a 4WD road. Within ¼ mile there is a 4-way intersection with roads coming into the Maybert Road from the left and right. Turn up the one to the left (north) that has two hand-painted signs: “Posted Wildlife Area” hanging from a tree and a white sign “Dead end Road, Locked Gate Ahead.” After climbing through a pleasant forest setting, the road will round the ridge and start up Canyon Creek. The existing Ridge Trail takes off the Artic Mine Road/Canyon Creek Trail at the bottom of a rather recent burn shortly after rounding the ridge and entering Canyon Creek canyon. The only marking in 2002 were a few ribbons hanging from limbs and a partially burned sign resting on the ground against the post in a cluster of three noticeably large Ponderosa Pines. The trail itself was very faint and has brushed over badly after the fire.