June 29, 2018 – The Friends of North Bloomfield & Malakoff Diggins, in cooperation with the Sierra Gold Sector of California State Parks, will present a very special hike with Hank Meals on July 14, 2018. The hike is the latest in the Discover Malakoff! monthly events and activities initiated by the Friends of North Bloomfield & Malakoff. The intent of the Discover Malakoff! series is to bring new visitors to the remote state park throughout the entire year, and to ignite interest and support for the wide spectrum of resources and activities at the historic park, home to the still-standing “ghost town” of North Bloomfield, and site of the largest hydraulic mine in the country.
When: Saturday July 14, 2018, 9 am-1 pm
What to bring: Water (2 liters), sack lunch, hat, sunscreen, camera, shoes suitable for uneven ground and wet (muddy) crossings. Bring a small backpack for your food and water. Please leave your dogs at home for this event, since dogs are not permitted on this trail.
Hike Description: From downtown North Bloomfield to the Diggins Trail and back is about a 3.5 to 4 mile loop trail in a unique environment. The Diggins Trail offers a good close look at the industrial landscape created by the Malakoff mine and to what degree nature is reclaiming the place. In addition to the fascinating history of the hydraulic mine, there is an artistic dimension in the fantastic pallet of colors in the exposed gravel banks. Our hike should last about three and a half hours.
Cost: Free for the tour; $10 state park day use fee
Transportation: Carpooling is encouraged. We will meet at the museum/park headquarters. Accessing the park from Highway 49 and Tyler Foote Road is recommended, as the shortest route via North Bloomfield Road is very rough, and unpaved from Edwards Crossing.
This free event is limited to 25 participants and requires pre-registration RSVP.
Event registration link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/discover-malakoff-diggins-hike-with-hank-meals-tickets-47469725226
Please do RSVP, and update, if you need to change your plans. We will maintain a wait list.
For more information call (530) 265-2740 or email friends.nbmd.publicity@gmail.com
*Trip Leader: Hank Meals, 2013 Bear Yuba Land Trust John Skinner Sierra Outdoors Recreation Award Recipient
Hank Meals, archeologist, writer and photographer worked as an archeologist for the Tahoe National Forest over the course of 25 years. His is a talented photojournalist, with hands-on experience in all manner of outdoor activities from tree planting, fire fighting, trail constructing, and cone-gathering to wildlife habitat improvement, trail guiding and interpretation. He is the author of several books about trails and is co-authoring a book about the Nisenan people. Meals has been leading hikes for local nonprofits for more than 20 years and his knowledge of local history and trails is legendary.
Learn more about Malakoff:
http://malakoffdigginsstatepark.org/ and https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=494
Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park
23579 North Bloomfield Road
Nevada City, CA 95959
Presented by the Friends of North Bloomfield & Malakoff Diggins and California State Parks Sierra Gold Sector
Friends of North Bloomfield & Malakoff Diggins Mission:
We enhance the interpretive experience for visitors, promote park-based education for learners of all ages, and support and preserve the natural and cultural resources of Malakoff Diggins SHP. We also assist other cooperative associations and the State Park System mission for the benefit of the public.