Spaulding Trail with Hank Meals & Hiking For Good

950 Maidu Avenue,Nevada City CA 95959

26 June, 2021

Description

Archaeologist Hank Meals will lead a hike on the Spaulding Trail to Fordyce Creek. This moderately difficult outing at about 5,000’ in elevation explores cultural landscapes in the South Yuba watersheds above the 275’-high Spaulding Dam. It traverses the north shore of Spaulding Reservoir providing great views of Red Mountain, Old Man Mountain and many other peaks. There is little climbing, but the trail gracefully undulates as it weaves through a mixture of conifers, black oak and manzanita. Fordyce Creek joins the South Yuba just below Brady Mountain in the upper reaches of the reservoir. Prior to the dam the valley was dominated by granite benches with occasional meadows surrounded by trees. For the indigenous Nisenan and Washoe it was one of the last places to gather acorns before climbing higher and there is still evidence of their seasonal visits to the region. By 1850 gold miners in the Sierra Nevada foothills were claiming water rights and building modest dams upcountry to store it. The hydraulic mining industry grew rapidly and so did its need for more and more water. Local dam building and water conveyance systems grew exponentially to the point that our hydraulic engineers and mine managers became very innovative and were admired world-wide. That story, as well as evidence of narrow-gauge railroad logging, the growth of the hydroelectric industry and irrigation development are revealed by artifacts and features along the Spaulding Trail. It’s a beautiful setting with powerful stories. By day’s end you’ll be exhilarated and know a bit more about our watershed and its history.