North Yuba extension Press Release

After a productive summer in the Lakes Basin Recreation Area, the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship (SBTS) Trail Crew is back in Downieville, working to complete the highly anticipated North Yuba Trail extension, which once complete will provide a backcountry connection between the historic gold-rush towns of Downieville, Goodyears Bar and Forest City. The non-motorized trail is located below 3,800’ elevation and will remain snow-free for much of the year, which will benefit local trail enthusiasts and merchants by lengthening the season for outdoor recreation in Downieville.

To date the SBTS has invested more than $20,000 of general funds towards paid labor, and contributed several thousand volunteer hours towards the completion of the North Yuba Trail. SBTS has also successfully written and received $35,000 in additional grant funds through the Sierra County Secure Rural Schools program, Bikes Belong and REI. In addition, the Tahoe National Forest has provided funding for two bridges; one over Slug Creek and the other over City of Six Creek. The bridges were installed by our local trail building expert, Bob Hale, who did an exceptional job as always. Thank you Bob!

The North Yuba Trail still needs a lot of hard work and additional funding before it will meet Forest Service specification, and will be considered complete. Currently there is 2 miles of trail constructed from the town of Downieville, heading downstream, and 3 miles constructed from the town of Goodyears Bar, heading upstream. The remaining 2 miles is located midway and will be the hardest going for the Trail Crew and volunteers, as there are several rocky areas in need of blasting, and an extremely steep side-slope that is covered in pine needles, oak leaves, and acorns.

If you would like to participate in the construction of the North Yuba Trail or learn more about the SBTS and our upcoming projects in Sierra and Plumas Counties, please join us on November 8 for an organized Trail Daze work day. We'll meet at Yuba Expeditions in downtown Downieville at 9:30am for coffee and bagels. Lunch, and an after work BBQ with refreshments will be provided to all volunteers. For more information go to www.sierratrails.org or call Yuba Expeditions at 530-289-3010.