Current Trail Projects
Most recently we have completed three trail projects with several more under way. Much of the work has been accomplished because of grants that have been secured in past years. Completed in 2010 were the Wetherall Trail on Banner Mountain, the Rattlesnake Ridge Trail along Rattlesnake Road, and Hirschman Trail West. 2011 saw the completion of Deer Creek Tribute Trail and the Hirschman ADA access Trail.
Hirschman Trail
Two and a half miles of single track, native earth surface trail have been completed connecting Hirschman Pond with Indian Flat Road near its junction with Highway 49, near “The Willo”. About 1 mile in, a spur trail departs from the main trail at Wood’s Ravine and connects with Indian Trail Road. The final trail segment, a one-half mile ADA accessible trail was completed between Cement Hill Road and Hirschman Pond in the summer of 2011. The trail is six feet wide with a smooth, firm crushed rock surface.
Deer Creek Tribute Trail
A contract was awarded to build one-half mile of new trail between Newtown Ditch and Deer Creek where a bridge has been istalled, providing trail access to the south side of the creek on public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The new trail is part of a route that begins at Pioneer Park in Nevada City, winds its way through the city streets, and then out Champion Road and onto a system of service roads, trails and canal banks to the new trail and the Deer Creek bridge site.
Kenny Ranch Trails
Trail work has started on the Wildflower Ridge Trail, a trail along Ridge Road and Rough and Ready Highway. Work will continue through 2012 on easements provided by the property owner, Deer Creek Pines, including extending the trail along the Rough and Ready Ditch to the east end of the property. When completed, there will be over 5 miles of trails linked by lightly traveled and gated, closed roads.
Orene Wetherall Loop Trail on Banner Mountain Opens
Residents in the Banner Mountain area now have a new neighborhood trail thanks to the volunteer work parties and the many donations made to the 2009 Nevada County Land Trust Trails Appeal. Against a rugged backdrop of soaring pines and fir trees, the new mile-long Orene Wetherall Loop Trail ventures through the 28-acre Woodpecker Preserve. This open space preserve has mixed conifer woodlands as well as wetland areas that together make this a prime wildlife habitat.
Work on the trail began in 2009 and was completed in 2010, It was funded through a substantial matching grant provided by Holger and Tacy Hahn, who matched the $7,400 raised for trails. Funds in the amount of $1,000 were graciously donated by the Banner Mountain Homeowners’ Association while other funds were donated by individuals in the community through the Land Trust Annual Trails Appeal. No tax or other public funding was contributed to this project.
The trail has been named after Orene Wetherall who passed away in 2003. She was born in 1913, she married William B. "Bill" Wetherall, and they moved their family to Grass Valley in 1955. Bill Wetherall established an endowment in her name with Bear Yuba Land Trust, for the creation and maintenance of trails in our community.
The trail is currently an in-and-out trail, meaning when you reach the end you must retrace your steps back to the trailhead. The next phase of trail construction includes a loop through other areas of the Preserve. Neighbors along the trail route would like to remind hikers to use the trail with care and respect. Unfortunately an issue has surfaced: neighbors are concerned about hikers and bikers leaving the trail, especially for access via adjacent private roads. While it's tempting to park one car at the trailhead on Gracie Road and hike to a second car parked on private property, it is the worst thing hikers can do. Private roads are for use only by residents, who carry the full burden of road maintenance and very limited traffic volume.