The California Trail is Important Link to our Past/Future

CA Trail Center near Elko, NV

At QWR, we believe “The Trails You Take on Life’s Journey are Important.”   Trails can offer backcountry adventurists a link to our past and/or help chart a course for the future.  A perfect example of that link to our past is found along the California Trail.  

According to The California Trail Interpretive Center, between 1841 and 1869, up to 250,000 people sold their belongings, packed wagons, and set out on a 2,000 mile trek for California.

Path of CA Trail

Located near Elko, Nevada, The Center is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and offers the public a high-quality “step back into the past” experience via a number of kiosks, video/audio presentations, authentic pioneer-era structures, artwork, and other educational modules.

CA Trail Marker Post 

 The Center also has a number of free publications with maps and site details for those of you who might want to explore the California Trail by vehicle.

LINK TO THE CA TRAIL INTERPRETIVE CENTER

http://www.californiatrailcenter.org/

While most of the California Trail is in close proximity to major interstate highways or goes through private property, there are some segments on federal lands that are accessible for those of you with high-clearance SUVs  or adventure/dual-sport motorcycles.

BLM Dirt Road along CA Trail

The next time you are near Wells, Nevada, you might want drive about 12 miles up Highway 93 and turn right at the BLM’s Hunter Draw/Willow Creek sign.  Just a few miles up that dirt road you will find carsonsite markers that identify the original California Trail where wagon ruts are still visible.

BLM Route Sign along Highway 93

Remember to stay on the dirt road which mostly parallels the California Trail so as to honor and protect the historic route.

View from BLM Road along CA Trail

QWR commends Congress for authorizing the California National Historic Trail in 1992.  The California Trail is administered by the National Park Service in partnership with the BLM, Forest Service, local/state government, and other stakeholders.   

LINK TO THE NPS CALIFORNIA TRAIL PROGRAM

https://www.nps.gov/cali/index.htm

QWR believes the California Trail highlights the important role that trails have in adding quality to our lives for both current and future generations.

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ADVENTURE RIDERS - Take the Smith River NRA Adventure Challenge

Top End of Elk Camp Ridge Trail

After meeting a KTM 990 on the Wimer Road last week while working on a backcountry OHV touring project, QWR thought it was appropriate to share a great Adventure/Dual Sport opportunity with our readers.  The routes are on the Smith River National Recreation Area (NRA) which is located on the Six Rivers National Forest in the Northwest corner of California.

The Wimer Road

If you have not ridden in this remote part of California, you are missing a real adventure that takes you back in time to when many of these routes were primary access roads in the 1800s.  This area has a rich mining history. 

The NRA is also home to many streams and much of the Smith River which is a prize fishing stream during the late summer and fall seasons.  During the hot summer months, many of these waterways have great swimming holes where you can cool off after a long days ride.

Old Powder Magazine from Mining Operation

For those who might be interested in taking an adventure tour of this area, QWR would like to offer some suggestions for the northern loop which goes into Oregon and then back into California.

Forest Road 18N17

A great staging area(s) for several days of riding is at Patrick Creek Lodge where they have comfortable rooms and great dining.  If you want to camp, there is the Forest Service Patrick Creek Campground just across the highway from the lodge.  A refreshing swimming hole is close by for that after ride cool down.

Patrick Creek Lodge

Just across the bridge from the lodge, there is Patrick Creek Road (County Road 316 – Pink).  Follow CR 316 north to Forest Road 18N17 (Yellow) and ride out to the end of Monkey Creek Ridge.  Come back out to CR 316 and take a right and head north until you T into Forest Road 4402 (Blue).  Turn left on 4402 for a few miles and watch for a 4402 sign on the left.  Go left and you will be on the Wimer Road.

The Wimer Road is a rocky 4WD route that will take you past Forest Road 18N09 (Diamond Creek – Yellow) and over to CR 305.  The 305 will take you past some great views of the mountains and the coast.

View of Lake Earl

If you have enough energy for day two, there are a couple of A/B enduro skill-level motorcycle only trails that will test your ability.  The Elk Camp Ridge Trail and High Dome Trail are marked in red.  QWR would suggest that you plan (using CR 315) your day so that you go DOWN those routes instead of climbing them. 

WARNING – many of these routes are for experienced adventure/dual-sport riders only.

Enjoy your summer and let QWR know if you take the NRA challenge.