Independence Trail - Nevada City, Ca

May 26, 2012 - Independence Trail - Nevada City, Ca 

Week one starts with an easily accessible down and back hike on Independence Trail in Nevada County, just outside of Nevada City, Ca. The directions are easy. Once you find your way to Nevada City, typically via highway 49, head west on 49 toward Downieville. The guide book says it's 6.4 miles from the 49/20 split.

The trail head is rather well signed and is on the right hand side of the road. Parking is on either side of the highway on the shoulders, and is plentiful, however you may have to head down the road a few bends to find a spot. I recommend parking at an angle to help fit more cars on the shoulder. We found a nice parking space 2 bends from the trailhead and in the process found a secondary trail access via a wooden staircase.

At the top of the stairs we headed left. Right would have taken us to the trailhead. The trail is rather unusual as there is a high and a low path. The lower path is wider and easier to traverse, however it is also a horse, bike and running path, so having an alternate trail is handy. On the day we went, in spite of the many parked cars, there were very few hikers, or otherwise, on the trail.

This is an up and back trail. In fact the end of the trail is rather disappointing. About one hour in is what looks like a fire break. The trail, which appears to have at one point continued beyond, now just ends. We decided to explore the seemingly overgrown path, but to no avail as it just becomes more and more overgrown. In short, turn back at the fire break.

The trail is easily marked and easy walking with no significant elevation changes. The flora is beautiful, offering plenty of shade, added with the altitude, approximately 3000 feet, and it's a great easy summer hike. However be wary of the poison oak growing on the edges of the trail.

The Pros: easy hike, clearly marked, ample parking, shady, short drive from Nevada City.

The Cons: anticlimactic ending, poison oak, potential crowds.

The rating: 1/5 for difficulty, 3/5 for overall pleasantness.

Introduction

Where do I start?

First, I'm a teacher, not that it defines me, nor does it affect my physical stature nor hiking abilities, however it does denote a level of stress, and further explains the preciousness of time available to me in a given year. I know, teachers get a long summer break equating to ample time to pursue various endeavors, which is precisely the reason why this current endeavor has begun in the appropriate month of June.

However, my reason for introducing myself to you an a teacher is to one, stress my need, after a long and tiring school year, to get out, get in shape, and get back to a certain calm only achievable, for me, through nature, but also to add to the explanation as to why I chose such an endeavor. My school year is filled to the brim with planning, grading, meetings, and much more. I find my evening company to be a glass of wine and a stack of essays.

In addition to my employment, I also am a new home owner which fills up my weekends with various home improvement projects and gardening when the weather permits. Add to all of this a rather troublesome love-life, much in part to my hectic schedule, combined with a few... not-so-positive choices and, well there you have it... ample need to get out, get away, get centered, and get healthy, on more levels than one.

All of this brings me to my mission. 52 weeks in the year, and more than 52 perfectly acceptable hiking trails in the Placer county area, and beyond.

My method: buy an area map, Tahoe National Forest to be precise, a trail guide book, good hiking shoes, and grab the leash so that my four legged best friend can join me. My goal is to hike one trail a week, with my dog, and in the process get myself back into shape both physically, mentally, and emotionally. A byproduct of this endeavor is this blog, where readers, like you, get to not only follow my hopeful transformation back into a better me, but also find local hikes with accurate reviews, pictures, and humorous anecdotes.

I hope you enjoy reading as much as I'm going to enjoy exploring these hikes for you.