Stevens Trail Photo Gallery by Brent Doxtater at pbase.com

Stevens Trail

The Stevens trail descends 1300ft in 4.5 miles (9 miles round trip) along the northwestern slope of the North Fork of the American River Canyon. It begins at the trailhead in Colfax, CA and ends at the confluence of Secret Ravine and the North Fork of the American River.

This trail is not for people with a fear of heights, narrow trails, or cliffs. The grade on this trail is not too bad… the beginning is the steepest and the lower cliffy sections have some of the mellower inclines. The rest of the trail is rather narrow with steep cliffy edges and awesome views…if you dare to look! I rode this trail after work on May 20, 2004. It was my first outdoor experience with my new digital camera.

The trail was originally used as a toll path from Colfax down to Secret Ravine along the American River and then traveled up the other side to Iowa Hill, which was a major metropolis during the Gold Rush period. Eventually, the use of the trail died down as did gold fever and it was all but forgotten until 1959 when a Sacramento area Boy Scout was credited with rediscovering the trail. The Stevens Trail is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The start of the trail was very lush with an abundance of moss and ferns alongside the trail.	The trails starts off with a gentle descent through the oak trees.	The trail eventually gives way to exposed granite and loose rocks ... typical of the Sierra Nevada's.	California's Gold Country has thousands of abandoned gold mines. Unfortunately exploring them is even more dangerous than Mountain Biking.	Many of California's Gold mines have remained unexplored for over 100 years. Who knows what secrets may be hidden inside.
A nice day for a ride!	A view of the Iowa Hill bridge from the trail. It's still a long way down to the river from here!	In my opinion the American River canyon is some of the most remote and rugged regions in the Sierra Nevada.	A ribbon of the trail can be seen wrapping around the mountain side in the picture.
Advanced mountain biking skills are required along sections of this trail. This particular section allows little room for error.	I have to admit I was unable to ride up this section of the trail. But I nailed it cleanly on the descent.	Another section of trail that leaves little room for error. You basically have approach this section with speed and confidence ... and not look down!	My favorite picture in this gallery. From this vantage point you can see the trail directly in front of you ... and then watch it ascend along the side of the canyon into the trees.
				This lone Kayaker and I had an exciting race along the river until the trail extended out of the canyon.

comment |

Guest		12-Oct-2009 23:07
Nice Pics!! Planning to go there this weekend, hope it doesn't rain.

Guest		10-Feb-2009 02:28
I Appreciate you doing this review of the trail because i can show my daughter the visual of the trail. Our whole family went this past Sunday and my daughter was ill, thus she could not see such beautiful nature. Great summary and awesome pictures!!

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