Spaulding Lake Trail
Counting views from above and along the lake, a segment following along an historic logging railroad bed and picnicking next to the Fordyce Creek Falls, this is one of my favorites. This is also a top-rank trail for viewing wildflowers. Actually, both spring and fall colors can be terrific. The trail following up to the falls and shortly beyond are on the southern end of the Grouse Ridge area. Hiking distance is moderately challenging, but generally easy gradients make this a fun day.
...modest but photogenic sequence of triple- falls on this short piece of awesome Fordyce Creek.
...both spring and fall colors can be terrific.
DESCRIPTION:
5.0 miles, moderate, elevations: 5320’-5040’-5400. Best chance for wildflowers May-June.
The trail drops below Fuller Lake to Lake Spaulding. Then it skirts along the northern shore of the reservoir until the route begins a modest climb above Fordyce Creek. A segment of the trail follows an historic railroad logging route. You’ll be walking on the hand-hewed, primitive railroad ties.
I enjoy lunch after scrambling easily over the granite garden adjacent to the modest but photogenic sequence of triple-falls on this short piece of awesome Fordyce Creek. You’ll recognize the turn-off as the trail crosses on the upper side of a granite rock field; in the spring you can hear the falls.
Wildflowers are most abundant in rocky areas above the north side of the reservoir and popping through the granite garden adjacent to the triple-falls in Fordyce Creek. May-June are most likely months. Trailhead is on the blacktopped Bowman Lake Road just below Fuller Lake. This segment of the road is free of snow significantly earlier—sometimes in March—than continuing the climb on to Bowman Lake or the Grouse Ridge Area.
Very early in the spring, hiking across a couple of wet areas can be tricky. If the NID ditch overflow is dropping across the trail, then you have to take the NID road where it climbs above the steel pipe bridging the trail. The trail is closed by NID Warning Signs, and at high runoff the water booms down the hillside. Go back and follow the road to the ditch line. Then carefully follow the walkways along the ditch until you are past the overflow location. The steel-wire walkway across the overflow bridges over a high, vertical drop and for some will be daunting. Once you reach the structure that turns the water into the huge pipeline down to the lake, scramble down the relatively open southern slope. Walk carefully to look for the trail as it heads east well above the reservoir.
Also very early in the spring, a small creek a ways above the eastern end of the reservoir can either require use of poor opportunities for rock hopping or wading a few feet.
Options: The trail connects to the Pioneer Trail (segment #4) at the north shore of Lake Spaulding. From there the trail dives into the South Yuba River canyon below the dam until it drops to Lang Crossing. On the upper (eastern) end Lake Spaulding Trail connects to Grouse Ridge Trail near Fordyce Creek footbridge. This connection offers shuttle and overnight opportunities. Trails directly accessed are: Grouse Ridge Trail which in turn ties to and Baltimore Lake and Beyers Lakes Trail. These trails then connect to further options for the true adventurer looking for several days’ worth of enjoyment
The Grouse Ridge Trail climbs to tie into several other trails above the Grouse Ridge Campground, but you can drive to the campground. The Blue Lake Trail connects mid-way up to the campground, but it’s quicker and easier to come down from the top.
| Miles | Elevation Range | Options |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5320’-5040’-5400 |
|
DIRECTIONS:
To Spaulding Lake Trail
Twenty-three miles east of Nevada City via Highway 20 (4.6 miles west of the I-80 Highway 20/Nevada City Exit), turn left (north) onto Bowman Lake Road. Follow black-topped road about 3 miles after turning north off Highway 20. Trailhead is 0.2 mile below Fuller Lake dam at a green metal gate with a tiny trail sign hanging on a tree. No developed parking. Park on wide s pots on Bowman Lake Road and do not park in front of the metal gate. The location for leaving the trail to drop to the falls is not signed but scramble right (south) off the trail at the eye-catching, solid granite landscape above the creek.
ACTIVITIES:
Mountain Biking (Rating: Best)
Good single track trail but best suited for skilled riders. You will want to leave bikes next to the trail and scramble across the granite garden to the falls. Grades, climbing and dropping, are reasonable but there is enough rock and root hazards to make the trail moderately challenging.
Hiking - Dayhikes (Rating: Best)
This is a great opportunity especially in the spring and fall, but it is high enough elevation to have relatively moderate temperatures in all but the hottest part of the summer. With a pleasurable destination to the series of falls and a pleasant trek for hiking, plus good wildflower viewing and modest fall colors, this is one of my favorites. Access is relatively quick, suitable for all vehicles, and usually snow-free for very early spring use.
Hiking - Backpacking (Rating: Good)
I’ve noticed no sign of much camping use, but the distance in, good trail gradients and tread for families with kids over 10, the remote character, and a natural fishery of 10”-12” trout plus great holes for fishing or swimming near the falls adds up to a good place to backpack into and spend a night or two.
Hardy hikers could spend a night here and then continue up to Byers Lakes and even on to Baltimore Lake and the road at Meadows Lake— if they have a vehicle shuttled over to there. Long, slow shuttle, though.
Equestrian Trail Riding (Rating: Good)
It’s a pleasant ride, but parking for trailers alongside the road is poor. Horses can not use the NID diversion ditch as a detour if the runoff is so high to spill over the main trail. Nor would riders want to lead horses across the granite garden above the falls.
