North Yuba Trail Construction Progress

The Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship (SBTS) has been working non stop all winter to complete what is known as the North Yuba Trail Extension. The Extension will connect Downieville to the lower North Yuba Trail which travels downstream from Goodyears Bar. The new section of trail will be 7 miles long and is a non-motorized multi-use trail with the added advantage that it connects directly to town where a trailhead facility is being developed. The trailhead facility will include bathrooms and parking, helping to free up parking in downtown. Since the trail is located at a lower elevation than many trails in the area, the season will be greatly extended. It is expected this will provide much needed additional business to merchants, lodgings and restaurants by bringing in customers during the traditional slow time.

On April 12th more than 30 volunteers comprised of members of the SBTS gathered early in the morning to head out onto the trail to build nearly a half mile of trail. The event was sponsored by the SBTS, which provided safety training and construction guidance, as well as food and beverages for hungry volunteers. Some funding for the trail was received from Secure Rural Schools – Recreational Advisory Committee grants, and additional funding is pending from several sources. However, volunteerism is what the SBTS is all about, and a large percentage of trail has been completed by volunteers. SBTS volunteers have contributed over 12,000 hours to trail construction and restoration in the greater Sierra Buttes Area.

When complete, the entire North Yuba Trail will be 14 miles long, but there is still lots of hard work with 2 miles of trail still to build on the North Yuba Trail Extension. If you would like to participate in the fun, email Wayno at Waynohoffman@aol.com or call the Yuba House at 530-289-2766. To join the SBTS, make a donation, or just find out more visit our website at www.sierratrails.org

Additional support and/or funding for this project came from Liz and John Luster of the Carriage House Inn, Troy Paski of Hoppy Brewing Company in Sacramento, Joe Chavez of USFS, Mary Furney of USFS, Intermodal Surface Transportation and Efficiency Act funding, and REI funding.