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The Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship project’s goal is to sustain long-term recreational trail use throughout the Downieville District of the Tahoe National Forest, and the Beckwourth District of the Plumas National Forest. By reducing erosion caused by all trail use groups - and minimizing the impact of trail use without restricting access - the historic and recreational value will be preserved for future generations to enjoy. Ideally, all trail reconstruction would be done with an eye to reducing grade, erosion, watershed contamination, and injuries among trail users. Aesthetically, we would like any trail building to be unobtrusive and done with respect to and in harmony with the terrain in question. It would be low impact trail restoration, for lack of a better term. Project monitoring will be done through quarterly meetings between Forest Service officials, and Stewardship board members.
Community benefits:
The health of the environment, the local community, and the economy of that local community are all tied together. Preservation of the environment in the area can lead to greater economic opportunities for the local community. The Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship would provide local employment and educational outreach to the local community. By employing Plumas and Sierra County residents and maintaining the existing trail system, the Stewardship can sustain long-term recreational tourism, which in turn would benefit families and businesses throughout both Counties.
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By preserving access to these historical trails, in addition to providing educational information on their origins and the history of the surrounding area, we can gain perspective – both in terms of where we have been and where we are going. Preservation of historic sites and providing select site information is an important aspect of the Stewardship’s educational and public role.
Immediate goals for the SBTS (2004):
*Adopt Butcher Ranch, Big Boulder, Pauley Creek, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Divide trails. Clear out deadfall and provide relief for spring runoff. Maintain throughout summer, reroute major erosive problem areas per forest service approval.
*Adopt Crysalis Cabin. Assume responsibility for upkeep of cabin and surrounding area. Benefits would include preservation of historic structure, and providing a headquarters and tool storage for the Stewardship.
Continuing goals for the SBTS (2005-200?)
*Continue to rework erosive areas of Downieville drainage (Butcher, Pauley, Divides, Big Boulder). Emphasize grade reduction and drainage enhancement – less erosion, less siltation, fewer accidents among trail users.
*Work with Plumas and Tahoe National Forests to assess potential reopening of historical routes - Mexican Mine, Forest City to Downieville connection, Smith Creek, Spencer Lakes, High Commission, Bunker Hill and Rattlesnake Creek – creating a broader umbrella of existing trails in the Downieville district. The primary benefit of this project would be effectively doubling the mileage of trails accessible from Downieville and Packer Saddle, which is crucial in regard to maintaining Downieville’s status as a premiere trail destination. Side benefits would include improving access to and popularity of newly opened Forest City trail network, as well as reducing traffic and impact on heavily used Downieville trails (Butcher, Pauley).
New construction (long term) goals (and benefits):
-Downieville to Goodyear’s Bar. (connects Downieville town to Underutilized North Yuba Trail Also provides a non-highway 49 access to Mountain House Road. Provides a non-highway connection between Downieville and Goodyear’s Bar)
-Packer Saddle parking lot to Butcher Ranch trailhead. (More mountain bike accidents occur on the pavement immediately below Packer Saddle than anywhere else in the district. A singletrack connection here would greatly reduce the number of medical emergency responses on a seasonal basis)
-Packer Saddle to Lavezzola Creek trail. (eliminate user conflicts on the Pacific Crest Trail between equestrians, hikers, and illegally riding mountain bikers. Provides an alternative access to the top of Lavezzola Creek trail, which is currently underused in comparison to the more easily accessed Butcher/Pauley trail network)
-Lavezzola Creek to Sunnyside Meadow. (Creates access from Above the Lakes Basin to the Chimney Rock/Craycroft ridge/Empire Creek trail network, which is otherwise remote and under-traveled)
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Even longer term goals:
*Establish a hut-to-hut system in and around the Lakes basin area, accessible for both summer and winter recreation.
*Feather River Trail Corridor/Sierra Valley Loop Trail. Establish a trail network in the Sierra Valley, which would feature longer seasonal, almost year round access, and would offer access between the communities of Loyalton, Sierraville, Calpine, Graeagle, and Portola.
*Mills and Haskell Peak trails. Establish a trail system connecting Gold Lake campground area to Mills Peak and Haskell Peak. By utilizing existing roads and recently logged, natural corridors a trail system could be developed that would cater to hikers and cyclists of varying abilities.
e-mail: sierratrails.org