Mohawk Trail System

The Mohawk Trail System is a non-motorized, multiple use trail system located in Plumas and Sierra Counties. It links the communities of Graeagle, Whitehawk, Portola and Calpine with each other, and provides backcountry connections to the Lakes Basin Recreation Area and surrounding National Forest. This world-class trail system will stimulate our recreation-based economy and improve the health of our community by creating local construction jobs, enhancing recreational opportunities, promoting active lifestyles and helping to sustain greater year-round residency.

Construction of the Mohawk Trail System begins May 2009, starting with Mills Peak Trail; a 7 mile route that follows a prehistoric Maidu path, rising from Mohawk Valley to the top of Mills Peak. To date the project has been funded through Plumas County Board of Supervisors, Eastern Plumas Parks and Recreation, Plumas- Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative and the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship.

To better explain the Mohawk Trail System, the trails are organized into 6 segments, each with an approximate budget and estimated timeline for construction. Construction costs are estimated at $8 per foot ($42,240 per mile) and do not include footbridges or specially engineered sections of tread. Costs also do not include necessary NEPA/CEQA work.

Section 1- Mohawk Valley to Mills Peak. $295,680 / 24 months 7 miles (36,960’). Completed NEPA/CEQA

Section 2- Mills Peak to Haskell Peak. $337,920 / 24 months 8 miles (42,240’). Not complete.

Section 3- Haskell Peak to Calpine lookout. $422,400 / 24 months 10 miles (52,800’). Not complete. Mills Peak Trail offers views of Mohawk Valley, Sierra Valley, Mount Lassen, Sierra Buttes and Lakes Basin Recreation Area The historic Mills Peak fire lookout, constructed in 1932

Section 4- Calpine Lookout to Calpine. $211,200 / 12 months 5 miles (26,400’). Completed NEPA

Section 5- Calpine to Whitehawk. $295,680 / 12 months 7 miles (36,960’). Not complete.

Section 6- Whitehawk to Mohawk Valley. $337,920 / 24 months 8 miles (42,240’). Not complete.

Section 7- Graeagle Community Bike Paths. GL&W Private lands.

Total miles: 45 (237,600’).
Total construction cost: $1,900,800 Total local construction jobs created: 20

For the construction of the Mohawk Trail System, SBTS will utilize a locally hired trail crew, loyal and hard working volunteers, and a Takeuchi TB108 mini trail excavator, equipped with a blade, bucket, hydraulic thumb, and heavy-duty rock hammer. The TB108 has rubber tracks that expand to 35” and contract to 29”, allowing our trail crew to efficiently and effectively build a 36” wide trail that meets Forest Service specification.

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