AND MORE ... Detailed directions and information for these trails and many more are available on the Bear Yuba Land Trust website ( bylt . org ) and the Truckee-Donner Land Trust website ( tdlandtrust . org ) unless otherwise indicated .
TRAIL DIFFICULTY LEVEL
● Easy ■ Moderate ◆ Difficult
A Walk in the Parks
Nevada County is rich in historic state parks .
TRUCKEE / DONNER
● Donner State Park : 2.5 miles of trails around the lake and through areas of park . GRASS VALLEY / NEVADA CITY
● Buttermilk Bend Trail : See previous page .
● ■ Empire Mine Trails : 14 miles of scenic trails . Historic buildings , mining machinery , gold mining points of interest .
● Diggins Loop Trail : 2.78 miles . ( no dogs / bikes ). malakoffdigginsstatepark . org
● ■ Humbug Trail : 2.72 miles one way to river . Uphill return . malakoffdigginsstatepark . org
Steeped in History
GRASS VALLEY / NEVADA CITY
● Buttermilk Bend Trail : See previous page . southyubariverstatepark . org
■ Deer Creek Tribute Trail : See previous page .
● ■ Deer Creek Environs Trails : 1.5 mile loop .
● ■ Empire Mine Trails : 14 total miles of trails . Historic buildings , mining machinery , gold mining points of interest .
● Hirschman Trail : See previous page .
● Independence Trail West : See previous pages . southyubariverstatepark . org
● Independence Trail East : 2.2 miles ( each way ). Wheelchair accessible 1.5 miles . southyubariverstatepark . org TRUCKEE / DONNER
■ Donner Summit Canyon Trail : 6-mile loop follows original Dutch Flat / Donner Lake wagon road . Petroglyphs , history , views .
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Stop and Smell the Wildflowers
GRASS VALLEY / NEVADA CITY
● Buttermilk Bend Trail : See previous page . southyubariverstatepark . org
● Kenny Ranch / Wildflower Ridge Trail : Full loop 2.6 miles . TRUCKEE / DONNER
■ Frog Lake Overlook Trail : 5.8 miles round trip . 1581 ft . elevation gain . onthesummit . net
■ Hike to Coldstream Meadow : ( from Mt . Lola trailhead .) 3 miles one way .
● Lacey Valley Trail : 3 miles one way from TDLT Lacey Meadows parking area . Wildflowers , birds .
● Loney Meadow Interpretive Trail : 1 mile loop . Wildflower viewing , birding .
● Sagehen Creek Trail : See previous page . Tahoe National Forest north of Truckee .
Horsing Around
GRASS VALLEY / NEVADA CITY
● ■ Empire Mine Trails : empiremine . org / trails
● ■ ◆ Pioneer Trail : 25-miles . Several trailheads . outstanding views . Popular for hiking and mountain biking also . TRUCKEE
■ Donner Lake Rim Trail : 11 miles completed ( 23 miles upon completion ).
Born to Run
GRASS VALLEY / NEVADA CITY
● ■ Pioneer Trail on Hwy 20 : 25 miles .
■ ◆ South Yuba Edwards Crossing to Purdon Crossing Trail : 9 miles round trip . Downstream along Yuba River
● ■ Humbug Trail : 2.72 miles one way to river . Uphill return .
● ■ Scott ’ s Flat Trail : 4.5 miles one way . Flat at first then switchbacks down to Scott ’ s Flat Lake . TRUCKEE / DONNER
■ Commemorative Overland Emigrant Trail : 7.5 miles one way . Flat .
◆ Hole in the Ground Trail : 7.8 miles one way . Views
● Truckee River Legacy Trail : See previous page .
Canal Trails
Flat , often shady and cool walks along the historic canals .
GRASS VALLEY / NEVADA CITY
● Cascade Canal Trail : 4.5 miles one way . Best access from Gracie Road parking area , Nevada City . Shady , level .
● Kenny Ranch / Wildflower Ridge Trail : Full loop 2.6 miles .
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Wheelchair Access
These trails provide decent access roads , close parking , relatively flat dirt / paved trails and views of the meadows or rivers / creeks with little work required .
GRASS VALLEY / NEVADA CITY
● Independence Trail West & East : Wheelchair accessible ( dry months ) from the trailhead 1.5 miles each way from trailhead .
● Hirschman Trail : See previous page . southyubariverstatepark . org
TRUCKEE / DONNER
● Truckee River Legacy Trail : See previous page .
● Lacey Meadows / Webber Lake : 3 miles one way from TDLT Lacey Meadows parking area . Wildflowers , birds .
In the Neighborhood
Easy , pleasant walks in or very close to the towns .
GRASS VALLEY / NEVADA CITY
● Deer Creek Tribute Trail : See previous page .
● Hirschman Trail : 2.4 miles . Pond , oak woodlands , pines , grasslands . Nevada City .
● Litton Trail : 2 miles one way . Grass Valley .
● Narrow Gauge Trail : Entire trail including unofficial “ use ” section : 1.7 miles . Chicago Park .
● Sugarloaf Mountain Trail : . 5 mile one way . 365 degree views of downtown Nevada City .
● ■ Empire Mine Trails : 14 miles of scenic trails . Historic buildings , mining machinery , gold mining points of interest . Grass Valley . TRUCKEE / DONNER
● Truckee River Legacy Trail : See previous page .
Kid Friendly / Short & Sweet
GRASS VALLEY / NEVADA CITY
● Sierra Discovery Trail : 1 mile loop , Flat . Restrooms , information kiosks , water , small picnic area .
● Rock Creek Nature Trail : 1 mile loop along Rock Creek . Restrooms , water , small picnic area .
● Omega Diggings Overlook Trail . 0.3 mile loop . Omega Rest Area , Hwy 20 , 18 miles east of Nevada City . TRUCKEE / DONNER
● Glacier Meadow Loop Interpretive
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Trail : . 5 mile loop . Pacific Crest Trail parking area near Boreal Ski Area .
● Boca Townsite Interpretive Trail : . 5 mile loop . Hirschdale exit off Interstate 80 east of Truckee .
● Loney Meadow Interpretive Trail . 1 mile loop . Wildflower viewing , great birding , flat .
● Perazzo Meadows Interpretive Trail . 1 mile loop . Wildflowers , birds .
Bird Walks
TRUCKEE / DONNER
● Lacey Valley Trail : 3 miles one way from Lacey Meadows parking area . 100 species of birds .
● Loney Meadow Interpretive Trail : 1 mile loop . Wildflower viewing , birding .
Into the Wild
RECREATION For the more adventurous who want to escape to a more pristine environment with spectacular terrain .
GRASS VALLEY / NEVADA CITY
■ Blue Lake Trail : 1.5 miles . Begins at Rucker Lake , intersects Grouse Ridge and Byers Lake Trail .
■ Round Lake Trail : 2.25 miles . Begins at Carr-Feeley Campground . arounddonnersummit . com
● Island Lake Trail : 1 mile begins at Carr-Feeley Campground . arounddonnersummit . com
TRUCKEE / DONNER
● ■ ◆ Donner Lake Rim Trail : Various points of entry . 11 miles completed . Spectacular views .
■ Lower Lola Montez : 6.4 mile round trip . Lightly used , out and back . Great views and beautiful lake .
■ Mount Judah Loop : 5.5 miles . Mt Judah & Donner Peak . Stunning views . Family friendly .
● ■ Summit Lake : 4.7 mile loop near Soda Springs ( off the Pacific Crest Trail ).
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