Erin Thiem, inntowncampground.com
May 26, 2017 – Join Bear Yuba Land Trust (BYLT), outdoor recreationists and trail supporters next week for the biggest showcase of local community trails of the year!
“Trails are one of our greatest community assets. They build strong neighborhoods and boost the local economy. Trails get us outside and close to nature for healthy exercise and spiritual renewal. I am really inspired by the diversity of people who come together for such a wonderful cause,” said BYLT’s Community Engagement Manager Laura Petersen.
Ales for Trails
On Wednesday, May 31 from 5 to 10 p.m. meet up with your friends for the annual kickoff trails fundraiser, Ales for Trails at Three Forks Bakery and Brewing Co. on Commercial Street in downtown Nevada City. Brewer Dave Cowie has created a specialty brew just for trails called “Hirschman Hefeweizen.” For every pint sold, $1 will be donated to local trails! In addition, a portion of proceeds from the evening’s food and beverage sales will be donated back to the Land Trust to build and maintain local trails.
Celebration of Trails
On Saturday, June 3, the community is invited to Celebration of Trails – the perfect day to enjoy local trails and plan your summer outdoor recreation adventures. Numerous local outdoor recreation groups will be in one place to bring the community everything they want to know about trail related topics – a one stop resource for gear, maps, summer guided hiking and trail ride schedules, flora and fauna, and more.
The day starts with a lineup of guided morning outings on local trails such as Black Swan Trail with Author and Historian Hank Meals, Deer Creek Tribute Trail with BYLT’s Shaun Clarke and Hirschman Trail with Ana Acton of FREED and Bill Haire of BYLT. The outings will be followed by a fun family-friendly trails day festival held from noon to 3 p.m. at Tahoe National Forest headquarters, 631 Coyote Street in Nevada City.
“People should come to this event if they care about the local beauty of our natural trails,” said Volunteer and Past Board Member Bob Jennings of Empire Mine Park Association who will hand out Empire Mine trail maps. The park has three trails – Hardrock Trail, Osborne Hill Trail, Union Hill Trail – a total over 7 miles.
Celebration of Trails coincides with American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day first begun in 1993. In 2015, 176,000 people got outdoors on community trails and participated in 2,329 activities across the U.S.
This year’s participants include: Tarp Tent, Gold Crush Climbing Gym, 49th Gold Country Scout Group, Bicyclists of Nevada County, Youth Bicyclists of Nevada County, City of Grass Valley, City of Nevada City, Empire Mine Park Association, FREED, Gold Country Trails Council, Mountain Recreation, Inn Town Campground, Folk Trails Hiking Club, Nevada City Scenics, Nevada City Chamber of Commerce, Sierra Club, South Yuba River Citizens League, South Yuba River State Park Association, Sierra Fund, Tahoe National Forest, California Gold Kettle Corn, Placer Nature Center, Nevada County Woods Riders and more.
“Local trails are important – You can get in shape, join your family for a ride on a shady trail in August, connect to our great forests and rivers, and challenge yourself on a new steep route. We are so lucky to have an abundance of opportunities in Nevada County,” said BONC Secretary Ellen Lampham.
Family Activities and Local Food
Besides giving out maps and info on the new Hoot Trail, BONC and YBONC will offer t-shirt printing with recycled bike parts during the afternoon festival. Other activities include a “boulder twister” climbing trailer with Gold Crush Climbing Gym, face-painting and trail shots game with BYLT, a photo booth with Tahoe National Forest, scouting activities with 49th Gold Country Scout Group, backpacking basics with Mountain Recreation and a live horse appearance from Gold Country Trails Council.
Local food and drink are also on tap. Colombia-born Rene Medina from new mobile organic and local farm to fork business, “Chomp” will serve up sausages made from local meats and fermented kimchee and sauerkraut. It’s the perfect pairing with “Hirschman Hefeweizen” from Three Forks Brewing Company. Folks who shop Nevada City’s Farmers Market in the morning can pick up a $1 off drink ticket at the market’s information booth before heading up Coyote Street to the Trails Day festival headquarters.
Morning Hikes:
WHAT: Hike from Black Swan to Deer Creek led by Hank Meals
WHEN: 8:30 a.m.
DIFFICULTY: Moderate 3 to 5 miles, carpooling required
MEET AT: Tahoe National Forest Headquarters, 631 Coyote Street, Nevada City
Join the area’s best-loved archeologist, author and hiking guru Hank Meals on this walk from Bear Yuba Land Trust’s Black Swan Preserve to Deer Creek.
“The Nisenan loved this place. Right over the ridge from Deer Creek Diggins (Black Swan), at Rose’s Bar, is where gold was ‘discovered’ on the Yuba River,” said Meals.
Dress appropriately for the weather, sturdy footwear, sun protection and bring snacks and plenty of water.
Space is limited to 15. Pre-register required! www.bylt.org or Contact: Laura Petersen laura@bylt.org, 272-5994 x 211
WHAT: Family Hike on the Hirschman Trail with FREED and BYLT
WHEN: 9:30 a.m.
DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate (depending on distance and mobility level), .8 miles (wheelchair accessible) – 5 miles possible (moderate ascending and descending)
MEET AT: Hirschman Trail Trailhead on Cement Hill Road
Bring the whole family for this kid-friendly, all ability level exploration of Nevada City’s Hirschman Trail. Join Ana Acton of FREED and Bear Yuba Land Trust to learn about the history of this former hydraulic mine site and investigate the flora and fauna of this popular trail. Cameras, binoculars and sketch books are encouraged. This is a wheelchair, limited mobility accessible trail to the pond (.8 mile round trip). Those who want to go further, will have that option, too.
Call FREED 477-3333 for transportation information.
WHAT: Deer Creek Tribute Trail with BYLT and Nevada City
WHEN: 9:30 a.m.
DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate
MEET AT: Meet in front of Miner’s Foundry, Spring Street, Nevada City
Join Bear Yuba Land Trust’s Trails Coordinator Shaun Clarke and special guest Nevada City Mayor Evans Phelps for this guided walk from downtown Nevada City to the beautiful Deer Creek Tribute Trail. Don’t forget to pick up your $1 off beer coupon from the Nevada City Farmers Market info booth before heading back up the hill to the trails day festival.
WHAT: 2017 Gold Country Trails Council Poker Ride
WHEN: Sign up at 8:30 a.m., ride out at 10 a.m.
WHERE: Skillman Horse Camp on Tahoe National Forest
Calling all equestrian riders, this is the 26th annual Poker Ride led by Gold Country Trails Council. This ride on eight miles of easy to moderate marked trails benefits the building and maintenance of local trails, staging and parking areas around horse camps such as Skillman and Little Lasier Meadow. The event includes a raffle, prizes, food and live music.
Register at: www.GoldCountryTrailsCouncil.org
Learn more about Celebration of Trails at: www.bylt.org