22 September 2020

Good forward movement from the BYLT Trails Planning Committee!  The entire group has a dozen or so participants.  In the most recent meeting we broke out into three smaller groups - an impressive Zoom feat in and of itself - each of which will focus on a particular area and then report back to the whole.

The three groups are Nevada City/Pioneer, Litton, and Wolf Creek.  Long time board member Terry Hundemer heads up the NC section, Bill Haire the Litton, and Erin Tarr the Wolf Creek project.  Members of the committee could join whichever sub-group they wished.  The Wolf Creek group is comprised of Erin, Shaun Clarke, and myself.

Each group will endeavor to expand their section in multi-directions, fill in some gaps, and ultimately connect the whole darn thing.  For example the Litton group seeks to extend over to Condon Park and up to the Deer Creek Tribute Trail, while including both the Yuba River Charter School and 7-Hills School.

I am thrilled that the Wolf Creek group has just three members, making it easier to move forward.  Our agenda includes the following:

Continue working with the city on the dirt path alternative to the paved Wolf Creek Trail, including placing a bridge over the confluence of the main creek and Little Wolf.  The city is actively involved in this.  Signage will describe the alternative as the Daspah Seyo Trail.

Erin will contact the local manager of the Newmont Mine property.  We hope to have a site meeting soon to discuss the bridge over to that property from Daspah Seyo, a new trail downstream on the conservation easement the BYLT already has, with connections from there up to the North Star House and back across the creek to the Berriman Ranch Trail.

I’ll be checking in with the city of Grass Valley on the status of the Berriman development and also the soon to be trotted out Newmont development. 

I’ll also be checking in with Derek Hitchcock to see how his project is progressing.

Shaun will do some research on the possibilities of connecting the Berriman or main trail with Empire Mine State Park. 

Any further developments on any of this and more will be written about right here!

 11 August 2020

After a bit of a pause I am pleased to share a few positive developments.  But first I must say that walking remains an integral part of our regimen in the era of Covid, and how great it is to see how popular the Wolf Creek Trail has become.  Besides taking a few strolls there, every time I pass by the Mining Museum the trailhead parking lot is FULL!

That BYLT Trails Planning Committee meeting I mentioned in the previous post was delayed and then canceled - until last week when I participated in the inaugural via Zoom.  I was impressed with the group and the manner in which Erin Tarr and Erika Seward hosted.  I see great value in the group and believe it will serve as a catalyst to move trail awareness and trail connectivity forward, including of course the Wolf Creek Trail.

Speaking of that, funding for the Phase II Design, Engineering, and Permitting Project has been awarded to Surf to Snow, an environmental design and consulting firm based in San Ramon.  If you are thinking “why San Ramon?” worry not.  The project manager is Derek Hitchcock who grew up around here and is the son of long time friend of all rivers and creeks Ralph Hitchcock.  Derek’s team includes several other prominent locals.  

We at the WCCA will be paying very close attention to Derek’s project, which for now has a projected end date of June 30, 2021.  The purpose of the project is just as it sounds - to investigate specific design and engineering concerns - and research permitting requirements necessary to extend the trail from Glenn Jones Park up to the corner of Idaho-Maryland and Sutton.  This is indeed a major development with the City of Grass Valley fully behind it.

I’ll be sharing progress of the Trails Committee and this project as things progress!

3 January 2020

As we enter the twenties, there are a number of reasons for optimism regarding the Wolf Creek Trail.  First, trails and trail connections remain an integral part of the soon to be published Wolf Creek Strategic Plan.  To help move things along I am pleased to be joining the Bear Yuba Land Trust Trails Committee.  The next meeting is in February. 

Second, the city has put out and received a bonafide proposal for a preliminary study of the possible routes and engineering issues for Phase II of the Wolf Creek Trail.  We are hopeful the contract (to be funded by a grant through CalTrans) will be awarded soon.  Expect to hear all about it in this log.

Third, the city staff and council remain committed to the trail.  The new Berriman Ranch development will include trails along the creek with connections to shopping areas and the brand new existing trail (see previous log).  The possibility of a couple of small pocket parks will also be explored. 

Stay Tuned!